Joseph Purpura explains the four-year process of preparing your high schooler for college.

1. PREPARING A
HIGH SCHOOLER
FOR COLLEGE
By Joseph Purpura

2. Any parent of a college student
will confirm that it is never too
early to start preparing a high
schooler for the rigors of college
life. Beginning freshmen year,
students with aspirations of
college should begin thinking
about a four-year plan. Although
the planning can seem
overwhelming, here is a simple
four-year plan designed to keep
students on track:

3. This is the time to accept
challenges with a myriad of classes
in core academic areas. Freshman
students should take the time to
get to know their guidance
counselor and to cultivate that
relationship going forward.
Identifying possible career
aspirations and potential
community service endeavors are
also things to think about at this
age.
FRESHMAN
YEAR

4. Now that students have a full year
under their belt, it is time to delve
deeper and explore college choices
as well as information on
scholarships, grants, and other
issues relating to the finances of
higher education. It is also a good
idea to use this year to begin
preparing for college entrance tests
by taking a few practice exams and
starting the study process.
SOPHOMORE
YEAR

5. The fall of junior year should be
earmarked for the PSAT testing
while the spring is when most
students will take the college
entrance exams such as the SAT
and ACT. This is also the time to
start the lengthy process of making
a checklist of possible scholarship
opportunities and deadlines. By
now, students should have a broad
list of schools under consideration.
JUNIOR
YEAR

6. Before senior year, students should
begin campus visits and narrow
down the top school choices. After
making their list, students need to
ensure that application deadlines
are met. If the student wishes to
retake the SAT or ACT, this also
needs to be done in the fall. By the
spring semester, students need to
make sure that all graduation
requirements, scholarship
applications, and pre-enrollment
processes are in order.
SENIOR
YEAR

7. THANKS FOR WATCHING!
For more information,
please visit
JosephPurpura.org