tenth grade
Tenth grade is the really the first year that counts toward your college application. This year getting good grades and getting into good contact with your counselor is very important. Additionally, read the steps below to find out how to be successful.
Step 1: AoPS
If you are a strong math student and not already involved with the Art of Problem Solving, look at their website immediately. Look into advanced math courses as well! This is very important because it is very important to be advanced in math (by more than your school's standards). For more information, visit my Fifth Grade page, artofproblemsolving.com, and http://www.artofproblemsolving.com/School/recommendations.php#g8up.
Step 2: Competitions
You must already be involved with competitions by academic sophomore year. It is tremendously important.
If you are strong in math, immediately view the AMC 10 and 12. These are 25-question tests proctored by your school or a local center. Your score is ranked nationally and you are given awards for high achievements, like scoring the highest in your school (both in one year and consecutively).
For more information, immediately visit http://amc.maa.org/e-exams/e5-amc10/amc10.shtml and http://amc.maa.org/e-exams/e6-amc12/amc12.shtml.
Also, look into your region's local ARML team. The ARML is a national team competition, where students are grouped into teams of 15 according to their region. It is a very competitive competition but it is also very fun and a tremendous learning experience. For more information, visit http://www.arml.com/arml_development/page/index.php.
For a very complete list of all kinds of academic competitions, visit http://www.duketipeog.com/home/academic_activities.
Step 3: Research and Competitions
It is very important to start working on research in high school, and by 10th grade, most advanced students have the math and science backgrounds to start. For more information, see my Ninth Grade page.
Step 4: Scholarships
Before you know it, your student will be going to college. As we all know, college is very expensive, and it never hurts to earn a few hundred dollars as a scholarship. Hence, tenth grade is a very good time to start looking for scholarships!
For a large list of scholarships available to high school sophomores, visit http://highscholarships.com/high-school-sophomore-scholarships.html.
Step 5: Physics
If your child is quite exceptional in math and has taken calculus before or by 10th grade, immediately look into involving them in Physics. The national and international physics olympiads are fantastic credentials and are relatively small with the number of competition. Enroll them into a Physics B and C class, and also look for a prep class for the Olympiad. (If you live in the Orange Country or Irvine area, check out the Avid Academy's physics program at http://avidacademy.com/physics.)
Step 6: Community Service
Community Service is a very large part of your college application. Colleges nowadays are looking very seriously at community service. Though most colleges tend to count only your two years of most service, community service as a sophomore prepares you for the 100+ hours a year you'll need when it comes to junior and senior year. Hence, start looking into community service ideas. Contact your counselors and teachers for ideas. Join a character or service club. Just get involved!
Step 7: PSAT/SAT/Subject Tests
In tenth grade, take the PSAT. This becomes very important junior year, for a high score can lead you to be an NMSQ recipient. It is important to see how you score, so you can know how to prepare. See http://www.collegeboard.com/student/testing/psat/about.html for more info.
Additionally, take the SAT. Yes, the SAT I. It is not important to score a 2400, it is just important to see what to study, so you can get a high score both junior and senior year. For more info, visit collegeboard.org/sat.
Also, if there is a subject you are very strong in, look into taking the SAT Subject Test! These are simply additional credentials that can be gotten out of the way in tenth grade.
Click here for a list of colleges that require SAT Subject Tests.
Step 1: AoPS
If you are a strong math student and not already involved with the Art of Problem Solving, look at their website immediately. Look into advanced math courses as well! This is very important because it is very important to be advanced in math (by more than your school's standards). For more information, visit my Fifth Grade page, artofproblemsolving.com, and http://www.artofproblemsolving.com/School/recommendations.php#g8up.
Step 2: Competitions
You must already be involved with competitions by academic sophomore year. It is tremendously important.
If you are strong in math, immediately view the AMC 10 and 12. These are 25-question tests proctored by your school or a local center. Your score is ranked nationally and you are given awards for high achievements, like scoring the highest in your school (both in one year and consecutively).
For more information, immediately visit http://amc.maa.org/e-exams/e5-amc10/amc10.shtml and http://amc.maa.org/e-exams/e6-amc12/amc12.shtml.
Also, look into your region's local ARML team. The ARML is a national team competition, where students are grouped into teams of 15 according to their region. It is a very competitive competition but it is also very fun and a tremendous learning experience. For more information, visit http://www.arml.com/arml_development/page/index.php.
For a very complete list of all kinds of academic competitions, visit http://www.duketipeog.com/home/academic_activities.
Step 3: Research and Competitions
It is very important to start working on research in high school, and by 10th grade, most advanced students have the math and science backgrounds to start. For more information, see my Ninth Grade page.
Step 4: Scholarships
Before you know it, your student will be going to college. As we all know, college is very expensive, and it never hurts to earn a few hundred dollars as a scholarship. Hence, tenth grade is a very good time to start looking for scholarships!
For a large list of scholarships available to high school sophomores, visit http://highscholarships.com/high-school-sophomore-scholarships.html.
Step 5: Physics
If your child is quite exceptional in math and has taken calculus before or by 10th grade, immediately look into involving them in Physics. The national and international physics olympiads are fantastic credentials and are relatively small with the number of competition. Enroll them into a Physics B and C class, and also look for a prep class for the Olympiad. (If you live in the Orange Country or Irvine area, check out the Avid Academy's physics program at http://avidacademy.com/physics.)
Step 6: Community Service
Community Service is a very large part of your college application. Colleges nowadays are looking very seriously at community service. Though most colleges tend to count only your two years of most service, community service as a sophomore prepares you for the 100+ hours a year you'll need when it comes to junior and senior year. Hence, start looking into community service ideas. Contact your counselors and teachers for ideas. Join a character or service club. Just get involved!
Step 7: PSAT/SAT/Subject Tests
In tenth grade, take the PSAT. This becomes very important junior year, for a high score can lead you to be an NMSQ recipient. It is important to see how you score, so you can know how to prepare. See http://www.collegeboard.com/student/testing/psat/about.html for more info.
Additionally, take the SAT. Yes, the SAT I. It is not important to score a 2400, it is just important to see what to study, so you can get a high score both junior and senior year. For more info, visit collegeboard.org/sat.
Also, if there is a subject you are very strong in, look into taking the SAT Subject Test! These are simply additional credentials that can be gotten out of the way in tenth grade.
Click here for a list of colleges that require SAT Subject Tests.