At any point in your high school career, you are preparing for college.
Regardless if it is studying for a history exam, acting in the school play, or scoring the winning goal on the soccer team, each task you work on or complete throughout grades 9-12 make a difference in terms of which colleges you'll get into - and which one you'll attend.
Let's look at some steps you can take each year to solidify yourself for college admissions officers:

• Get good grades - Sure, it's mostimportant to work hard in math and English, but schools do consider youroverall GPA.
  So make sure you don't slack off in Phys.
  Ed and be carefulnot to overcook your beef stroganoff in Cooking II.
  
• Practice for the standardized tests- Most people say you can't study for the SAT/ACT.
  I agree.
  But, what youcan do is become familiar withwhat they test.
  I definitely recommend either taking a class or getting abook on whichever test you need to take.
  This way, when it's time for thereal thing, you'll know how they're formatted and the types of questions you'llbe up against.
  
• Take only the tests you need - Itook the SAT IIs and ended up not needing them for the school I went to.
  Researchyour schools and don't waste your time (and money) with extraneoustesting.
  
• Extracurriculars are important -Do you enjoy volunteer work? Can you slam dunk? How about play the viola?Any of these skills should be practiced in your high school club scene.
  Join the band, basketball team, and Habitat for Humanity.
  Stick with themand attain leadership roles.
  Just don't let your grades suffer!
• Utilize AP classes - The sole purposeof these classes is to prepare you for its respective AP exam.
  If youscore a 4 or 5 (and sometimes a 3) you'll receive college credit for theclass.
  Get enough credits, and graduate a semester early.
  Think about howmuch tuition and housing costs you'd save!
• Research your financial aid options- Most likely, Mom and Dad won't have you entirely covered when it comesto paying for college.
  Therefore, make sure you know the 411 on potentialstudent loans.
  Complete your FAFSAon January 1 of your senior year.
  Apply for any college scholarshipsyou can find.
  File for as much in federal aid as you can.
  Still need more? That's where private student loans come in.
  

College admissions are a very tricky game.
When you gravitate to more competitive colleges, there are no guarantees of getting in.
However, abide by the above tips to improve your chances.
Interested in more admissions help? Check out our college admissions and search site at HowToGetIn.
com.