What should I be doing in 11th grade to prepare for applying to college?

• Apply for a Social Security Number if you have not already done so.
• Develop a list of appropriate colleges for you.
• Be sure you are taking the correct courses for the college(s) of your choice.
• Visit colleges, investigate scholarship and financial aid programs.
• Write, e-mail, or visit web sites of colleges to request brochures and catalogs.
• Continue extracurricular activities.
• Take PSAT/NMSQT in October. National Merit Scholars are chosen only through this test.
• Check with the college websites to see if they recommend taking the SAT II Subject Tests
• for your particular major or for admission. If your good at a particular subject taking a Subject
• Test will only help you during admission. 
• Take ACT or SAT I in May or June.
• Develop “brag sheets.”
• Participate in summer programs, read, visit colleges.
• Investigate scholarships for next year.

SUMMER AFTER JUNIOR YEAR:

• Visit college campuses and ask friends in college for their advice.
• Request applications and brochures from your top colleges.
• Get started on college and scholarship application essays by writing sample drafts.
• Take some time out to prepare for SAT I/SAT II or ACT.