The spring high school graduation season is upon us. However, not all high school seniors are ready to take on the rigors of college life. To maximize the chances of success, preparation for college admittance ought to start in a student’s early high school years. Here are four essential factors parents should keep in mind in order to help prepare their high schooler for college. They can achieve college prep success!
Extracurricular Activities
Do not underestimate the importance of including extracurricular activities on college applications. Not only do these activities teach invaluable social and leadership skills, but they also teach students how to effectively balance their time. College admissions offices like to see students who are invested in leadership roles within a particular activity rather than just participating in a variety of clubs and sports.
Test Prep
Along with a solid GPA, high standardized test scores will give your student a leg up on the competition to get into the most selective schools. For this reason, it is important to make test prep an integral part of the overall plan for college admittance and eventual graduation. Scores that are commonly taken into consideration by college admissions offices are SAT/ACT scores, AP test scores, and GED test scores for students who have received a GED certification.
Proper Coursework
Do not let your son or daughter wait until senior year to make sure that he or she is on track to graduate with the right balance of classes. In addition to meeting the high school’s individual requirements, it is also important to look at the requirements for incoming freshmen at the colleges where the student intends to apply. These standards must be met as well. It’s an avoidable tragedy when students have their hearts set on a particular college only to learn too late that they haven’t completed the prerequisite classes to attend.
Life Skills
One frequently neglected part of the college process has nothing to do with grades or test scores. Before you send your child out into the real world, it is imperative that the student acquire a variety of important life skills. Learning how to budget, pay bills, do the laundry and at least cook a basic meal are just a few of the necessary accomplishments a young person should have mastered before heading off to college.
Young people can be set up for success by ensuring that they have the tools and knowledge they’ll need to continue their education after high school. Taking these steps now will pay off big dividends in the future.
