During your Sophomore year you’ll want to continue strong and stay on track with your high school classes and activities. A rigorous course load impresses admissions reps more than any other single item.  You should also begin to narrow your plans for your future. Begin to research colleges with majors you’re interested in and may want to pursue. (Feel free to download the entire High School Student Timeline by clicking here: College Timeline PDF.)

• Check It Out: Review your 4-Year Academic Track with your Guidance Counselor. In the fall, attend the FCA HS college planning events and the YFC Christian College Fair, as well as the many public college fairs. It’s a good idea to get a feel as to what is available and what appeals to you. For upcoming events to look out for, click here.

• Be Aware: Use the College Board's College Search to find out the required courses and tests of colleges that you might be interested in attending.

• Assess your strengths: … and your weaknesses. Be aware of what suits you and doesn’t regarding colleges. Use the resources in the Guidance Department to help you assess your future goals in college and careers.

• PLAN your Future: You will be required to take the PLAN test at FCA HS in the fall; take it seriously! It’s a forecasted score for the ACT.

• Come on In: Stop by and chat with your Guidance Counselor to discuss your future options. It’s a great year to get familiar with general college entrance requirements. The Guidance Office, college web sites, and our Guidance website are all good sources of information. Not sure who your Guidance Counselor is? Click here to find out!

• Explore your Options: Get involved with summer opportunities (work experiences, volunteer services, missions, etc.) to enrich your resume and college application.

• Military Prep: Inform your Guidance Counselor if you are interested in applying to a military academy. This process needs to begin early in your high school career.  (See "military academies" under "college guidance" at this website.)

• Contact Colleges: Write to schools and ask for more information about their academic requirements and any programs or activities that you’re interested in. Colleges usually have a link on their website allowing you to request more information.  For contact information to all 2-Year and 4-Year colleges in Colorado click here: 2-Year Colleges in Colorado or 4-Year Colleges in Colorado.

• Work, Work, Work: Find a solid summer job that will look good to prospective colleges and employers. Putting the money you earn away for college will also help you get a head start on a personal savings plan.