SmartAboutCollege

Sophomore

Want to go to College?

It's time to get started...saving, studying and planning! Use this checklist to help you stay on track as you get closer to your goal of higher education.

Academic

  • Focus on grades and learning.
  • Talk to your counselor about college prep courses. Find out which Advanced Placement, Running Start, Tech Prep or International Baccalaureate courses are offered at your school.
  • The Montana Digital Academy is another option for courses that may be limited at your school like certain foreign languages and advanced placement courses. You can learn more about the Montana Digital Academy by clicking here: www.montanadigitalacademy.org
  • Take ACT’s PLAN as practice for the ACT; review results with your teacher or counselor.
  • Read!
  • Take the PSAT as practice for your junior year when PSAT scores count for National Merit Scholar consideration.
  • Pursue new academic enrichment programs and extracurricular activities; join at least one academic, extracurricular and/or social activity (after school activity or club).
  • Pursue a summer experience or academic enrichment program with a specialty focus.

College & Career

  • To learn more about careers and what education path you should follow to pursue them, explore the Montana Career Information System (MCIS). Click here to log in.
  • Research careers that match your interests by using free, computer-based tools, like MCIS.
  • Study! Research colleges online (community colleges, colleges of technology, four-year degree colleges.) Visit a campus or take a virtual tour.
  • Collect college information based on your interests.
  • Explore careers on the Internet.
  • Spend a day shadowing someone who works in a career that interests you.
  • Ask college students and graduates for advice on how to prepare for college.
  • Attend career fairs.
  • Which college is right for you? Attend informational sessions with college representatives and counselors about college opportunities.
  • Research college majors.
  • Visit a variety of college campuses.
  • To find out more about how to get to college, visit KnowHow2GOMontana.org.

Financial

  • Budget! Attend workshops on budgeting and saving.
  • Go to a financial aid night at school.
  • Research scholarship opportunities and requirements.
  • Start saving for college if you haven’t already.

College Prep Programs

In addition to weighing the advantages and disadvantages of the Minimum and Rigorous Core programs, students who want to get a jumpstart on college should discuss these other options with their school counselors:

  • Dual Credit/Running Start — This program allows high school students to receive both high school and college credit for the same course. Interested students should contact their individual schools to see if they participate in the program, and if so, find out about the details of the program.
  • Early Admission to College — This program allows students, prior to their high school graduation, to be admitted to and register for college-level courses if they are academically prepared. Students should contact the colleges in which they are interested to determine their requirements for Early Admission.
  • Tech Prep — This federally funded program allows students to begin earning college credit toward technical or associate degrees while still in high school. Interested students should contact their individual schools to see if they participate in the program, and if so, what the procedures are to enroll.
  • Advanced Placement Tests (AP) — AP testing allows students to earn credit or advanced standing at most of the nation’s colleges and universities, not to mention demonstrate their ambition to learn. For more information on this opportunity, visit CollegeBoard.com.
  • College-Level Examination Program (CLEP) — This program allows students of any age to demonstrate college-level achievement and earn college credit by completing exams in undergraduate college courses. For more information on this opportunity, visit CollegeBoard.com.
  • Jobs for MT Grads — This program allows high school students to spend time observing people working in the career area in which they are interested. This type of firsthand information goes a long way to helping students decide whether a job in that field is right for them. For more information about this program, contact Jobs for Montana Graduates at (406) 444-0978.
  • Montana Digital Academy — Consider the Montana Digital Academy if course selection at your school is limited. You can learn more about the Montana Digital Academy by clicking here: www.montanadigitalacademy.org