High School College Prep Checklist: Freshman to Senior Year
Reviewed and edited by Katie Creel. Last updated: October 2025. Data sourced from the U.S. Department of Education and College Scorecard.
Preparing for college can feel overwhelming, but with the right plan, you can take it one step at a time. This high school checklist will guide you through every year—freshman through senior—so you’ll know exactly how to stay on track. From choosing classes to applying for scholarships, you’ll build a strong foundation for your future.
Tip: Not sure where to start? Take our College Match Quiz to discover schools that fit your learning style, goals, and personality. You can also explore our curated lists of schools, including our national Colleges of Distinction list, as well as lists like our Best Affordable Colleges, Best Small Colleges or Top Public Colleges.
Freshman Year: Build Your Foundation
It’s never too early to start preparing for college. Freshman year is about exploration—figuring out your strengths, joining activities, and learning how to manage your time. At Colleges of Distinction, we encourage you to think about fit: where you’ll be supported, challenged, and inspired to grow.
- Meet with your school counselor. Ask: How many credits are required to graduate? Should you take AP or dual-credit classes? How often should you check in?
- Perform a self-evaluation. What are your strengths and weaknesses? Possible careers or majors?
- Explore electives and extracurriculars (clubs, fine arts, sports).
- Volunteer or learn a new hobby during breaks.
- Consider the ACT Aspire or another readiness exam to evaluate strengths.
- Start an activities résumé to track extracurriculars and volunteer work.
Sophomore Year: Explore Colleges & Careers
By sophomore year, you’re ready to connect your interests with possible college and career paths. Focus on schools that emphasize engaged learning and outcomes—not just name recognition.
- Meet with your counselor to review grades and update your four-year plan.
- Take the PSAT/NMSQT® or PSAT™ 10 to get familiar with testing.
- Join or add extracurricular activities that interest you.
- Add electives to explore new areas of study.
- Research careers. Ask: What education is required? What are the expected salaries?
- Review LinkedIn profiles of professionals in your field of interest.
- Start your college search. Ask: What do you want from your experience (location, size, resources)?
- Build a list of 20 colleges and request information from them. Check acceptance rates, graduation rates, financial aid, and scholarships. Explore all of our Colleges of Distinction award lists like Affordable Colleges or Small Colleges.
- Record your academic and extracurricular progress in your résumé.
Junior Year: Test, Visit & Narrow Choices
Junior year is one of the most challenging—but also one of the most important. This is the time to test, visit schools, and refine your college list. Remember: focus on student experience, support, and outcomes, not just prestige.
- Meet with your counselor at the beginning of each grading period. Review GPA, progress toward graduation, and scholarship opportunities.
- Take the SAT (digital) and/or ACT (multiple times if needed). Enroll in free test prep resources.
- Search for local scholarships and start applying.
- Narrow down your college list to about 10 schools. Focus on reach, match, and likely fits.
- Attend college fairs and schedule campus visits.
- Job shadow a professional or volunteer in your career area of interest.
- Update your activities résumé at the end of the year.
- Make summer plans: visit colleges, volunteer, get a summer job, or shadow a professional.
- Brainstorm college essay topics and draft outlines.
- Create a Common App account in August at commonapp.org.
Senior Year: Apply & Decide
Senior year is when everything comes together. Stay organized and finish strong. Applications, financial aid, and your final decision all happen this year.
- Meet with your counselor to confirm graduation requirements.
- Apply for scholarships throughout the year. Start with our Mega List of Scholarships.
- Retake the SAT/ACT if needed.
- Complete the FAFSA® when it opens (currently December). Don’t miss state aid deadlines—see our state aid guide.
- Narrow your college list to your top 5–7 schools. Track deadlines and requirements carefully.
- Request letters of recommendation well before applications are due.
- Write and revise your application essays. Get feedback from a teacher or counselor.
- Finalize your activities résumé and submit with applications.
- Complete and submit applications (Common App, Coalition App, or school portals).
- Review financial aid award letters carefully. Compare total costs, not just scholarships.
- Revisit top colleges if needed before committing.
- Make your final college choice by May 1 and enroll.
- Finish high school strong—avoid senioritis!
Frequently Asked Questions About Preparing for College
The best time to begin preparing is during your freshman year. Starting early gives you time to explore interests, build strong study habits, and create a balanced four-year plan. But it’s never too late—whether you’re a sophomore, junior, or even senior, you can still get on track with a clear checklist.
Freshman year is about exploring and setting goals. Sophomore year is about adding electives, extracurriculars, and beginning a college list. Junior year is focused on testing, visits, and narrowing choices. Senior year is when you apply, secure financial aid, and make your final decision. Our college prep checklist walks you through every step.
Many colleges are test-optional, which means you can apply without submitting test scores. However, strong SAT or ACT scores can still improve your application and may qualify you for scholarships. It’s a good idea to take the test at least once to keep your options open.
Most students use a combination of federal aid (through the FAFSA®), state aid, scholarships, and family contributions. Start applying for scholarships early, and compare financial aid award letters carefully to make the most affordable choice. Check out our Mega List of Scholarships for opportunities.
Further Reading on the College Search
- College Match Quiz — Discover schools that align with your personality and learning style.
- Best Colleges of Distinction — Our national list of schools recognized for engaged, student-centered learning.
- The Mega List of Scholarships — Free money for college is out there; don’t miss it.
- Dream School: Finding the College That’s Right for You — Jeffrey Selingo
- Where You Go Is Not Who You’ll Be: An Antidote to the College Admissions Mania – Frank Bruni
- The Price You Pay for College — Ron Lieber
High school moves quickly, but with this checklist you’ll stay organized, confident, and ready for the next step in your education journey.
