It can be daunting trying to figure out what you need to do to prepare for college. But don't worry! We have you covered. For each year of high school, we have created a list of what you and your parents can do to be prepared for college.
Preparing For College
9th Grade
Start getting involved and exploring career options!
- Volunteer, work or participate in academic programs, camps, etc. It is one way to discover and verify your own interests.
- Start creating a list of your awards, honors, paid and volunteer work, and extracurricular activities.
- Talk with your school counselor about career and vocations that fit you best.
- In order to help you save for college, estimate your financial aid with a parent using FAFSA4caster (international students are not eligible for FAFSA).
- Begin to look for scholarships. It's never too early to start looking.
10th Grade
It is never too early to begin to start taking action about your future!
- Go to career events or follow a professional in a field that interests you.
- Continue exploring with your school counselor career and vocations options.
- Talk with your school counselor about Advanced Placement courses at Andrews and see if you are eligible to apply.
- Take a practice Preliminary SAT/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test (PSAT/NMSQT) or check out the ACT Aspire exam "sandbox."
- Don't forget to take the time to search for scholarships.
11th Grade
It is time to become more serious about taking action and your plan for college!
- Get to know your Enrollment Counselor and explore career and vocations at Andrews University.
- Schedule a campus visit and get a personal feel for student life at Andrews.
- Participate in the Advanced Placement Program and taking Advanced Placement Exams for college credit. Learn more at Credit for Prior Learning Services.
- You may decide to register for and take standardized tests. This gives you an opportunity to retake them and increase your score.
- Compare FAFSA4caster financial aid estimator to the actual tuition costs.
- Create your FSA ID. You will use this ID to confirm your identity when accessing your government financial aid information and electronically signing your federal student aid documents.
- Continue looking for scholarships.
12th Grade
It is crunch time! You are about embark on a new adventure in college!
- Talk with your Enrollment Counselor! They are there to help you with information about Andrews University’s admission requirements.
- Apply to Andrews! Be sure to pay attention to deadlines.
- Submit the required admission documents (e.g., transcript, test scores) to Andrews.
- If you haven’t done so already, you may choose to register for and take standardized tests.
- If you haven’t done so already, participate in the Advanced Placement Program and taking Advanced Placement Exams for college credit. Learn more at Credit for Prior Learning Services.
- If you haven’t done so already, create your FSA ID.
- After Oct. 1 release, complete and submit your Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA®) and Financial Information Sheet. After you submit the FAFSA, you should receive your Student Aid Report (SAR) within three weeks. Dont' forget to make any necessary corrections and submit them to the FAFSA processor.
- Complete any last scholarship applications and continue looking for scholarships opportunities.
Dual Enrollment & Precollege Services
View several opportunities to enrich your high school experience and explore college early.
PARENTS & SUPPORTERS
You want the best for your child as they continue to look to the future. The best thing you can do for your child is to be involved. That is why we have put together a few helpful tips of what you can do as you look toward the future. Don't forget we have a Parents & Supporters website just for you!
9th Grade
- Talk with your child about college plans and assess their interest.
- Encourage your child to talk with a school counselor about career and vocations.
- Be involved with your child’s studies and grades.
- Begin thinking of how your child will pay for college. If you haven’t started, start a college savings account.
10th Grade
- See if your child's high school has college or financial aid nights and plan to attend.
- Encourage your child to take Advanced Placement courses.
- Learn about the standardized tests your child will be taking in high school.
- Help your child in his or her search for scholarships.
11th Grade
- Take time to dialogue with your child and guide your child to clarify their goals and priorities.
- Visit Andrews! Attend college fairs and visit our campus with your child.
- Encourage your child to apply to college.
- Create your own FSA ID if you don’t have one yet. You will use this ID for signing your child’s FAFSA (free Application for Federal Student Aid).
- Evaluate if you are on track in saving up money for your child’s college education.
- Continue looking for scholarships.
12th Grade
- Encourage your child to apply to college.
- Work with your child on filling out the FAFSA. Check out these tutorials for help.
- Make sure your child’s personal information is safe when he or she applies for financial aid. For tips, read Federal Student Aid and Identity Theft.
- Read IRS Publication 970, Tax Benefits for Education to see how you might benefit from federal income tax credits for education expenses.
- Help your child learn about the responsibilities involved in accepting a student loan.