5 Key College Prep Activities for High School Students

Applying to college is no small feat. It takes a substantial amount of time, effort, and careful consideration for a student to find the right fit for their academic future. If you and your family are preparing to enter the world of college preparation, there are a few good places to start. 

Remember, getting out in front of the college application process can help reduce some of the guesswork. This step can also provide you with certainty to navigate the journey with greater confidence.

Let’s dive into some college prep activities for high school students that will set you on the right path to finding the ideal college or university after your time at St. Agnes Academy.

St. Agnes offers individualized college counseling services to our students because we know that applying for college can be overwhelming and even a little intimidating.

In addition to turning to our college counselors for support, students can also take steps to prepare themselves for the college application process and get a head start on cultivating an impactful admissions package.

Let’s discuss five college prep activities students can prioritize right now to establish a solid foundation for the college admissions journey.

One of the best ways to get a sense of which schools may best suit you is to schedule visits to the schools on your list. Even if your family has conducted substantial research into a school and its culture, visiting the school in person can give you a more comprehensive understanding of the experiences and opportunities offered on campus.

During a campus visit, your family may even get the opportunity to speak with current students, as well as faculty and other staff members who can provide key insight into what life is like in and out of the classroom.

During your early high school years, it is important to prepare for college entrance exams like the ACT and SAT. Students can enroll in exam prep courses or purchase study materials like workbooks to help build confidence and establish good test-taking habits.

During junior year, you will have the opportunity to take a practice SAT exam known as the PSAT. In addition to helping you prepare for the formal SAT down the line, achieving a high score on the PSAT can help students qualify for scholarship opportunities like the National Merit Scholarship program.

Subsequently, it’s important that students and their families invest adequate time and resources into preparing for any and all standardized tests and entrance exams.

St. Agnes is devoted to fostering a spirit of volunteerism in our pupils. Academy women are required to complete 100 hours of community service between the second semester of their junior year and the fall of their senior year.

Volunteering is one of the most valuable extracurricular activities for high schoolers because it helps students develop a greater sense of responsibility to their community. Additionally, many colleges look at a student’s history of community service endeavors as part of the admissions process. Making ample time to serve the community can help improve your college prospects.

If you are thinking ahead to your career after high school and college, you can gain valuable insight into what it’s like to work in a chosen field through internships.

These internships offer students valuable opportunities to build connections with professionals they admire, many of whom have relationships with particular college programs. Plus, students who demonstrate a high level of work ethic in their internships may be able to request letters of recommendation from a supervisor or other mentor in a leadership role.

As soon as a student begins high school, it is their responsibility to build a resume that will convey a sense of well-roundedness to college admissions officers. One of the best ways to develop a diverse admissions portfolio is to participate in various extracurricular activities.

These activities can include the following:

St. Agnes offers a wide variety of extracurricular programming that students can take advantage of to build a stand-out CV for college applications.

Students who complete the activities outlined above can benefit from greater admissions prospects. You may also find the college application process a bit less nebulous and overwhelming.

Carefully researching your college options and tailoring the preparation activities to specific schools is a great way to streamline the admissions process. Being proactive may provide you and your family with some much-needed breathing room during a stressful time.

If you need additional support in preparing for the college application process, the college counseling team at St. Agnes Academy is here to help. We would happily provide you with resources, advice, and other support services to make the admissions experience more accessible and easy to navigate.

Reach out today to speak with a team member about college prep activities for high school students. We will work closely with you and your family to develop a college preparation strategy that is designed for success.