Admissions Office
Student & Administrative Services Center, Rm. 1068 · (570) 327-4761 or (800) 367-9222 · Fax: 570.321.5551
Getting Into College: A Guide for High School Freshmen & Sophomores
September
Visit your guidance counselor to map out a four-year high school curriculum that
will put you into the most challenging courses you can handle.
Register for the PSAT if they are offered for sophomores at your school.
October
If you want to try something new, start now…join the school paper, learn to play
golf, or try out a new club at your school.
If you have not yet seen Penn College, March is the perfect time to visit
during our Spring Open House. For more information visit
www.pct.edu/openhouse/.
Make a list of college majors that you think might intrigue you, and review your
high school course load with the majors in mind.
November
Remember to buckle down early. Colleges will see your ninth grade A's or D's
when you apply to college.
Talk with your guidance counselor or visit
http://www.nacacnet.org/
to locate college fairs near you.
December
Discuss your PSAT results with your guidance counselor, and determine where
improvements need to be made.
Do more reading in your free time, take more challenging courses, or practice in
the SAT workbooks.
January
It is never too early to start saving for college. Begin to set aside money you
receive for holidays and birthdays in a college fund.
Take some time to think about why you want to go to college.
February
Colleges want to see commitment. If something intrigues you, explore it. Do not
wait for your junior year to get involved in high school clubs and
extracurricular activities.
March
If you have not yet seen Penn College, March is the perfect time to visit during
our Spring Open House. For more information visit
www.pct.edu/openhouse/.
With your parents or counselor, make a list of schools to visit during the
spring or summer. If possible, it is best to go while classes are in session or
on a designated Open House.
April
Start thinking about the classes you would like to take next year. Colleges look
for advanced science, social science, and foreign language courses as well as
the required math and English courses.
Talk with your parents and guidance counselor to determine if a summer-school
course or a tutor would be beneficial to improve your grades for the upcoming
year.
May
If you are old enough for a summer job, you can get good experience and start to
save money for college. Not quite old enough? Consider volunteering or
participating in an educational summer camp; you can find other ideas on the Web
site
http://mama.essortment.com/summerjobsidea_mxk.htm.
Decided you do not need summer school? Look for some constructive ways to spend
your time off. Find a summer job, volunteer program or day camp.
June
Research careers and talk to your parents about your goals. Find opportunities
to meet people working within your area of interest.
July
Read and write as much as you can this summer. The writing skills will come in
handy when you are ready to take the SAT – and in college too!
Looking at colleges? Start to narrow down a list of the schools that you find
most appealing.
August
Consider visiting the narrowed list of colleges that you found most appealing.
You have had a productive summer – take some time to relax!