Getting ready for college year by year

Freshman year

• Explore careers and jobs you find interesting. Talk with professionals in those fields and find out what kind of education you need as well as what colleges offer those majors.
• Sample some of the cool activities that your high school offers. Stay with organizations and activities that interest you. Focus on organizations that allow you to develop, give you responsibility, and offer leadership potential.
• Talk to your parents about your plans for college. Begin thinking about how you will pay for college. Look at the U.S. Department of Education website that explains how to pay for college.
• Participate in summer academic programs during your summer breaks of high school. Gallaudet's Professional Studies and Enrichment Programs offers summer programs for high school students.

Sophomore year

• Stay involved in extracurricular activities. Colleges tend to look favorably upon the following:
  1. Student newspaper, especially in leadership positions
  2. Student government, especially if you hold an executive office
  3. Varsity sports, particularly if you are a captain or an all-star of some kind
  4. Leadership positions with substantial time commitment in organizations or community service activities.
  5. Activities with a special significance at your school or in your community such as homecoming queen, Student Council president, community service coordinator
  6. Anything unusual that took a lot of time and effort, such as organizing a major community service project, founding a new club at school and seeing it through, or being a volunteer
• If you cannot take part in extracurricular activities, then find a part-time job after school. As with other extracurricular activities, the best after-school jobs are the ones you stick with for an extended period and ones in which you rise to positions of responsibility. Unusual or creative jobs are better than ordinary, after-school, minimum-wage jobs. If you have the choice (and not everyone does), try to choose a job that gives you skills that are valuable and useful. If you have to work so that your family can make ends meet, be sure the colleges you apply to know that. Helping to support a family is a serious, adult responsibility, and it demonstrates something good about your character.
• Take the PSAT/NMSQT. Taking this test in either your sophomore year or junior year will enter your name into the National Merit Scholarship Corporation database as well as prepare you for the SAT.

Junior year

• The eleventh grade is often the most challenging academically. Take honors and AP classes if they are offered.
• Begin your college research. Where would you like to go? What would you like to study? Consider admission requirements, tuition, facilities, degree programs and the student body profile. Visit each college's website.
• Attend a college fair to gather information and talk with representatives from several schools. Ask you guidance counselor for a schedule of college fairs in your area.
• Continue your extracurricular activities and assume additional responsibilities and leadership roles. Explore opportunities in your community; part-time employment and volunteer activities can influence your college admission.
• Attend an Open House during your junior or senior year. Gallaudet hosts several open houses a year. If you can't make any of the Open House dates, contact the Admissions Office for a personal visit.
• Take the ACT. Gallaudet strongly encourages every prospective student to take the ACT test. The ACT is the "most widely accepted college entrance exam."
• If you don't take the ACT, take the SAT.
• Attend a Bison athletic event at Gallaudet or away. Check with the Athletics Department for a schedule.

Senior year

• Take a full load of academic classes, including honors and AP classes. Even if you have completed your graduation requirements, colleges must receive your final transcripts.
• Arrange to take the SAT and/or ACT again early in the year if you have not already done so or if you wish to improve your score before you start applying.
• Apply to Gallaudet at http://admissions.gallaudet.edu
• Apply for Financial Aid.
  • First apply for Federal aid at http://www.fafsa.ed.gov/
  • Then complete the Gallaudet institutional application at http://financialaid.gallaudet.edu
• Contact your local Vocational Rehabilitation (VR) office to see if you qualify for VR assistance. Visit this website to find your local VR agency - http://www.ed.gov/about/offices/list/osers/rsa/index.html

Other college preparation links

Other links to help you prepare for college:
http://www.ed.gov/thinkcollege/early
http://www.ed.gov/students/prep/college/thinkcollege/early/students/edlite-college-me.html
http://www.mycollegeguide.org/Article.php?ArticleID=10