Sophomore Planning
Note: Research indicates that more students are beginning the college search in the sophomore year than at any other time.
- Make certain you are enrolled in courses meeting Westmont’s entry requirements:
- English 4 years
- Science 3 years (two years of laboratory science)
- Mathematics 3 years (including at least second-year algebra)* (Algebra I taken in the 8th grade is acceptable)
- Foreign language 2 years of one language (3 years recommended) (American Sign Language not accepted unless verified by required documentation)
- Social Science 2 years (history, government, sociology, political science, economics, psychology, civilization, geography)
- Strong academic electives
- Attend meetings with the college representatives who visit your school when possible.
- Read colleges’ viewbooks and visit their web sites.
- Talk with teachers, college students, and/or recent graduates from your high school. Spend time in the college counseling office or career center.
- Get on college mailing lists.
- Begin keeping a journal. Develop a list of items important to you.
- Take the PSAT/NMSQT in October as practice. (You may need permission from your teacher to do this.) You will take it again as a junior and it’s only as a junior that you may qualify for a National Merit Scholarship.
- Begin thinking about the SAT I and SAT II. All UC schools require 3 SAT II’s. You can also think about taking the ACT.
- Attend college fairs, parent nights, and financial aid workshops.
- Review your high school course of studies. Be challenged!
- Talk to your counselor about Advanced Placement and Honors courses.
- Get a summer job!
- Keep track of your extra-curricular activities. These will go on your college application.
- Begin researching scholarship and financial aid programs. A good web site is: http://www.fastweb.com