Preparing for what is to come after high school essentially began a long time ago through life experience and schooling to date.  Each year of high school offers new opportunities for exploring the many possibilities that exist after high school and how to best prepare for what may come.  Below are some general guidelines to consider through the years...

Freshman & Sophomore years...

* Choose challenging courses to best prepare for college or other post-secondary training.

* Read...read...read...everything and anything that is of interest to you.  Reading comprehension and word knowledge is the foundation for academic success.

* Continue to think about your post-high school plans...College? Technical Training? Military? Seriously explore possible college options now as certain courses and exams may be required as a prerequisite to application.  Campus visits also help decide which colleges may be good matches for you.

* Get involved in your high school experience.  Sports, drama, music and club participation help make school a fun place to be.  These co-curricular activities may also be a factor in gaining admission to the college of your choice and in developing special talents.

* Talk to your counselor about SAT II exams if you taking advanced courses such as Math B, AP, or selected Regents Science courses.

Junior  year...

* Course selection should continue to be challenging and meaningful. All students should consider taking as much math, science and second language as possible to keep college options open.  Study in math and science also assists in the development of critical thinking skills which are helpful not only in college, but in the workplace as well.

* Continue to read anything and everything you can get your hands on...

* College exploration and campus visits should intensify this year.  Keep in mind that leaving this time-consuming process for the senior year is a big mistake with all that is going on, particularly relative to completing college applications, essays, etc.

* Keep involved with your co-curricular activities.  You do not have to participate in a ton of activities.  Consider that the degree of involvement, leadership, and development of special talent in one or two areas is often more desirable than doing many things with contributions of little substance.

* All students should take the SAT I and/or the ACT in the spring.  Your counselor will help you explore which exam is most appropriate for you. Keep in mind that most colleges require one or the other as part of admissions considerations.  

*  Make an appointment with your counselor to do a computerized college search.  This can help you to narrow down your options based on many criteria including majors, location, school size, sports, musical groups, etc.

Senior year...

*  Hopefully your senior program will allow you to continue to provide academic challenges and prepare for what will come next year.  Colleges often are quite interested in the quality of your courses as well as your achievement.  Four or more years of math and science is truly a beautiful thing!  Be assured that colleges do look at the final grades!

* Remember that repeat attempts at the SAT usually will earn you higher scores.

* Note the deadlines for your college applications and apply early.  Aim for December as a general goal to get all your applications filed.  Click here to go to the College Application Materials/Form Request page.  Applications received early often get a "better look" than those submitted late.  There is no benefit to delaying submission of your applications. Do not expect that your transcripts will be mailed on the day you bring them to your counselor!  Allow several days for processing.

Note that our high school code (CEEB) is 333-093.  Most applications require this information.