How To Prepare For College: A Guide

Many students mistakenly believe that preparing for college begins their senior year of high school. This is a false belief; students should begin thinking about the colleges they wish to apply to, and their strategy for getting into the university of their choice, early in their high school career. The earlier students prepare for their future, the more likely they are to build the resume necessary to get accepted into the college of their choice. Selecting the right college and major is an ongoing process, and if students prepare throughout all four years of high school they will be in an excellent position by their Senior year. Of course, this is a very young age for most children to have a realistic idea of what they want to do for the rest of their lives. In this guide, I will explain how, in my coaching services, I help young adults prepare for college, and the steps they should be taking in each year of their studies.

Taking steps to prepare early is the key to getting into the college of one’s choice

Many students apply to college in their Senior year of high school and assume they will get in, only to be disappointed to find out they do not have the grades/test scores/extra-curriculars necessary to be accepted into their preferred school. This happens because students think that if they play a couple of sports and get good grades, college will take care of itself. But in today’s hyper-competitive landscape, students need to be more thoughtful with how they spend their time, and know how their activities apply to their long-term goals. Of course, this level of long-term planning can be daunting to a fourteen-year-old. This is why I have a step-by-step process to help students think about their likes, goals, passions, and what they want out of a future career. Once a student has an idea of what they want, they can begin to plan accordingly.

To begin the process, I recommend that all students take an aptitude test. Aptitude testing allows students to learn more about their strengths and weaknesses, how their brain works, and their individual personality. For example, students can learn if they are extroverted or introverted, detailed thinkers or generalists, natural leaders, or more inclined towards solo work. In my practice, I use the Highland Ability Battery (HAB)– this is an aptitude test that provides a wealth of information, and can be taken completely online. Results of the HAB have been proven to be fairly stable throughout a person’s lifetime– meaning, even if your student takes the HAB as a young teenager, their innate abilities will remain largely the same throughout their adulthood. The information the HAB provides often gets students to focus on the areas they are good at, and helps them narrow down careers they may be best suited for.

Once your child has taken the HAB, and we have gone over the results together, I provide them with further questionnaires to help them generate ideas regarding what is possible. Questions I might ask them include, what are their favorite subjects? What do they like to do outside of school? Are there certain causes that they feel strongly about? Getting the conversation started is the first step towards finding one’s passion.

Students should use their high school years to harness their interests and pursue their passions

It can be difficult for students to find their passion during their teenage years. Many teenagers feel like they do not fit into the correct “box” of high school. They often feel that if they do not want to take part in specific activities offered by their school– sports, band, art, choir– then there are no activities available to fit their interests. This is often not true; many times, either the school or the community offers extracurricular activities that fit a student’s passion, however, the student may not be aware that the opportunity exists. I can often help students brainstorm activities they can take part in by helping them focus on their interests.

For example, perhaps a student has a passion for fashion and costumes. It may not have occurred to them that they can apply this interest by joining the costume department for their school’s drama club. Or perhaps there is a community sewing club that they could join, that would allow them to work on designing their own clothing. Or perhaps a student has an interest in politics. They might wish to join the student government or perhaps volunteer for a local election. Students can also harness more general skills. For example, if a student isn’t sure what they want to do for a career, but they are a natural leader and excel at persuading others, they may wish to join a public speaking competition. Or if a student has a passion for conservation and the outdoors, perhaps the local parks department offers volunteer opportunities or special programming for high school students.

The point being that, no matter where a student lives, there are often opportunities that match their interests. If a student can find an activity they are passionate about early in their high school career and nurture the interest, the experience can be greatly beneficial when it comes time to apply for colleges. Colleges want more than students who ‘check boxes,’ and when a student has activities on their resume that are related to causes or careers they care about, it shows potential schools who the child is.

Students should study and take the SAT and ACT exams early

During the pandemic years, many institutions implemented a ‘test-optional’ policy for school admissions. The reason behind this policy was to ensure that students did not face a disadvantage when applying to schools simply because they were unable to access a testing facility or because they were concerned testing in person could be detrimental to their health. However, as of 2026, most programs have begun to phase out their test-optional policies. While some institutions still allow some level of flexibility– they may allow students to superscore their test results, allow students to choose to include only their SAT or ACT score based on performance results, or may allow students to sub in AP scores instead of the SAT or ACT scores– the fact is, most universities are now requiring standardized test scores in some form.

Because more universities are asking students to include SAT or ACT scores, I recommend that students plan to take, if not both tests, at least one. Students can prepare for the SAT or the ACT in several ways. Kaplan, Princeton Review, Prep Expert, and Khan Academy all offer online ACT/SAT prep courses for a variety of price points. Features of these programs might include live and/or on-demand coaching, video classes, one-on-one tutoring, instructional courses, quizzes, and full-length practice tests. These online courses can range from free (Khan Academy) to upwards of eight hundred dollars (Kaplan). While students can, of course, make their own flash cards, buy books and instruction manuals, or study on their own, these programs are designed to help students maximize their studying efficiency. If your child needs additional assistance to stay on track, private tutoring is also an option.

I typically recommend that students begin studying for the test three to six months before their testing date. Fall or Spring of their junior year is often an ideal time, leaving time to retake the test in the early part of Senior year if necessary. When choosing a date for the SAT or ACT, I highly recommend students look at their calendar to avoid overloading themselves. Students should avoid taking the SAT or ACT at the same time as AP exams, school finals, or any other major life event that will require a great deal of their time and effort. Ensuring that they have adequate time to study, while also maintaining their grades, is important to avoid feeling overwhelmed.

Students should build a college list to find a program that is the best fit for them

If your child follows my steps, they will engage in activities that they care about throughout their freshman and sophomore years. It goes without saying that they have worked hard to earn the best grades they can and have taken a rigorous course load that matches their abilities. As they approach their junior year of high school, they will prep for the SAT or ACT, and should have a realistic goal score in mind. As your child enters their Junior year of high school, they should have a realistic idea about their GPA, their test scores, and their interests. Now is the time to think about where they want to go to college, and what they are looking for in a college.

Your student has already done the work of finding their passion and identifying potential college majors and career paths. Now is the time to ask themselves what they need in a school. Do they thrive in smaller classes? Do they need a school that provides a large amount of support? Is it important for them to be able to travel home on holidays or weekends? Or do they crave independence? Do they have dreams that involve living in a big city, or do they envision themselves in a small college town? Do they dream of being able to study abroad? Do they want a university that has a particular religious affiliation? Do they want a school that has a prominent Greek life opportunity? What kind of social life are they looking for?

These are all questions your student should consider, in addition to thinking about what academic programs they are interested in. Once they have brainstormed what they want out of a university, they can begin to do research and build their list. In the list building process, each school should have some qualities that match your student’s wish list. I recommend that students ultimately apply to eight to twelve schools. During the list building process, students can add as many schools as they want, and make a list of pros and cons. Throughout the process they can narrow the list down, but in the beginning, students should focus on possibilities.

Students should have an understanding of each college’s requirements, and the financial impact before applying

Once your student has built their list, they need to take a detailed look at the school’s acceptance requirements. Your student should know the percentage of students the college accepts, and should also know the average GPA and standardized test score of accepted students. If the school’s acceptance rate is low, your child should also know what additional acceptance criteria are taken into consideration– essays, extracurriculars, in person interviews, etc. When your student is planning what schools they wish to apply for, I recommend students include both a “reach” school– a school that is challenging to get accepted into– as well as a “safety” school– a school they are almost assured a spot in. The other schools your student applies to should be anywhere in between “safety” and “reach.”

In addition to understanding acceptance requirements, your student should also know what kind of financial package they require to attend each school. Parents must sit down with their students, and go over what kind of loans they are able to qualify for, as well as consider any scholarship packages, or other financial assistance your student may receive. It does not do students any good to apply to a school if they are unable to pay for the tuition. Having a direct conversation with your student about the cost of college, prior to applying, will help them make an informed decision.

Contact a college admissions consultant for assistance

Preparing for college is daunting, but when a student begins early and takes the process one step at a time, by the time they reach their Senior year of high school, they will be prepared. I routinely help high school students work through the process through my coaching services. If your student is ready to begin planning for their future, contact me today.