Follow this high school timeline for successful college prospects | College Connection

High school years pass by quickly, and before students know it, they are working on their college applications. They are being asked what major they are choosing, what volunteer work they’ve engaged in, why they’re applying to each college, and what they’re likely to contribute to their future college community. Hopefully, students will have amassed experiences during their first three years of high school to be able to provide meaningful answers.

Freshman year is the ideal time to assess one’s academic strengths and interests. Students should join clubs and activities that will help direct them to their potential college major and career. If considering pre-med, they might join “Doctors of Tomorrow.” For engineering-related experiences, they should consider “Robotics” and “Engineering Club.”  For business, they could get involved with “Future Business Leaders of America,” or “Young Investors Society.” For computer science, students might join “Quantum Computing Club” or “Computer Science Club.”

By doing so early on, students will be able to assess if this is truly the field they want to pursue. If it is, they will have time to ultimately earn a leadership position which carries substantial weight on college applications. If it’s not, they have time to “try out” a different field of study.

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During their sophomore and junior years, students should research the colleges that offer the strongest programs in their intended field and visit these schools in person. They can narrow down their options by visiting bigfuture.collegeboard.org and checking off the criteria that are important to them: location, campus life, majors.  As time allows, they should tour the colleges that are most appealing, as this is considered a sign of “demonstrated interest” to college admissions officers.

To strengthen their future college applications, sophomores and juniors should also initiate a “passion project” in their intended field of study. This is a self-directed project that helps students delve further into their academic area of interest while serving some group in need.

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Sophomores and juniors should also take electives and AP courses in their field of interest: Anatomy & Physiology and AP Biology for future pre-med students, Micro and Macroeconomics for those considering business, AP Physics and AP Calculus for those headed into engineering.

If they’ve stayed on track, seniors should be prepared to submit their college applications during September and October. This will allow them to apply to one college “early decision,” if they choose, and to many other colleges “early action.”  Then, students can enjoy their senior year, which is often the last one they will spend at home with their families.

Susan Alaimo is the founder & director of Collegebound Review, offering PSAT/SAT^? preparation & private college advising by Ivy League educated instructors. Visit CollegeboundReview.com or call 908-369-5362.

This article originally appeared on MyCentralJersey.com: How to get into a good college