College Checklist: 10th Graders in High School

Are you a tenth-grader? You can stay on track towards your college preparation with this checklist.

Here’s your to-do list for your sophomore year of high school.

10th Grade Checklist To Do

• Meet with your school counselor or mentor to discuss colleges and their requirements.
• Consider taking a practice Preliminary SAT/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test (PSAT/NMSQT) or the PLAN exam.
• Plan to use your summer wisely: work, volunteer, or take a summer course (away or at a local college).
• Go to career information events to get a more detailed look at career options.
• Research majors that might be a good fit for your interests and goals based on your results from the U.S. Department of Labor’s career search tool.

To Explore

• Learn the different types of financial aid such as grants, loans, work-study, and scholarships.
• Learn about the Basics of Personal Finance
• Read How to Talk to Your Parents About Paying for College

Parents

To Do:

• Find out whether your child’s school has college nights or financial aid nights. Plan to attend those events with your child.
• Help your child develop independence by encouraging him or her to take responsibility for balancing homework with any other activities or a part-time job.
• Learn about the standardized tests your child will be taking during the 10th through 12th grades.

>> Read the College Checklist: 11th Graders in High School