your road map to college

Here’s exactly what you need to do every year of high school to end up at your dream school.

Good grades alone won’t set you apart: 47 percent of high school students have A averages.

College

grade 9	grade 10
Plan ahead. Most colleges require four years each of math and English; two years each of science and history. Map out when you’ll take these classes so you won’t get overloaded any year. Enroll in a foreign language. Your high school likely requires two years of a language. But colleges prefer ambitious students who do more than the minimum, so take one all four years. Get to know your teachers. If you establish good relationships with your teachers, they’ll not only become great mentors, but they’ll also write you amazing recommendation letters.	Look into honors courses. AP or IB credits are one of the first things colleges look for. So look up the AP courses you want to take next year, and enroll in the prerequisite classes now. Read unassigned books. Colleges love applicants who read outside of class (plus, it’ll expand your vocabulary and boost your SAT score). Ask your English teacher to suggest some titles. Take the PSAT. To win a National Merit Scholarship, you need a good PSAT and SAT score. Only your junior year PSAT results are counted—so take it as a sophomore for some practice.
grade 11	grade 12
Maintain your GPA. Admissions officers look at your junior year GPA the most. Since classes (especially your APs) are tougher, it’ll give them a good idea of how well you’ll do in college. Take the SAT. Don’t wait until you’re a senior! Take it the spring of your junior year—so if you’re unhappy with the results, you’ll still have time to study and take it again next fall. Find 10 schools you like. Write down the colleges you’re interested in—and the ones your counselor suggests. Research each school and shorten the list to 10 good options.	Visit your top picks. Get a sense of the campus communities by checking them out in person. You can talk to students, see where you’d be living, and even sit in on some classes. Beware of “senioritis.” Colleges do notice if you start to slack off senior year. In fact, some schools will rescind their acceptance letters if they see your grades drop—so stay on track. But have a fun spring break! You’ve been working hard, so get away before the letters start arriving. You’ll feel rested and think more clearly, which will help you make the right decision.

GET INVOLVED! Now that you’ve tackled your academics, here’s what you should be doing after school.
Grade 9: Try it all. Sign up for any activity, sport, or community service that sounds fun to you—you’ll need to see what you like most. Grade 10: Narrow it down. Focus on the one or two activities you’re most passionate about, so you can excel at them.	Grade 11: Take charge! Consider running for a top position (like captain or president)— colleges adore students who are leaders. Grade 12: Make your mark. Do something big in the fall, like planning a new annual event. It’ll show colleges that you have initiative!

College

We asked Jaye Pace, an Ivy League admissions officer and creator of ABC’s The Scholar, to share secrets even your guidance counselor doesn’t know!

Colleges

say they consider your essay more important than extracurriculars!

college myths debunked!

1. myth: An Ivy League school gives you the best education.

the truth: There are lots of good colleges that are not in the Ivy League. You’ll get the best education at one that meets your academic and social needs—the right environment will inspire you to learn and do well.

2. myth: Colleges prefer students who are well-rounded.

the truth: Schools like you to have one or two passions—not a list of 10 activities you’re “sort of” involved with. They want a diverse student body where each student makes her own unique contribution to campus life.

3. myth: You need high test scores to get into a top school.

the truth: Test scores matter, but admissions counselors do look at other factors, like your essay and recommendations. If your SAT score and GPA are barely good enough, a killer essay can push you over the top.

4. myth: Only rich people can afford private universities.

the truth: There’s always help! Talk to the school’s financial aid office to see what’s available. (Harvard gave nearly $110 million in financial aid last year!) Then fill out a Free Application for Federal Student Aid at fafsa.ed.gov.

5. myth: You have to major in something practical.

the truth: It’s most important to study a subject you enjoy—then figure out how to turn it into a practical career. If you love your major, you’ll pour your heart into the field and have more success after you graduate.

how to deal with his ex

Even if your guy’s ex-girlfriend is still hanging around, you can keep your relationship safe. BY sarah eisen nanus

LOVE TRIANGLE

After Lindsay and Wilmer broke up, he began dating Ashlee— but Lindsay didn’t make it easy. . . .

on guard	red alert	Danger (42% of kids have been bullied online.)
they’re still friends	she wants him back	she’s harassing you
“My boyfriend and his ex grew up together and they’ve been best friends all their lives. Understandably they still hang out, but their close relationship makes me feel insecure.” JESSICA, 20, ATLANTA, GA	“Even though my guy and I have been dating for three months, his ex still flirts with him nonstop. She cuddles up against him, whispers in his ear, and has even tried holding his hand!” CAITLIN, 15, IDAHO FALLS, ID	“My guy and I have been together for six months, but his ex still says nasty stuff about me. She keeps a LiveJournal, where she called me a ‘whore,’ ‘slut,’ and ‘bitch’!” SYLVIA, 17, , TA’MPA’, FL
WHAT TO DO Consider if their relationship interferes with yours: Does he break plans with you to see her? Does she call a lot when you’re there? If not, hold your tongue. But if their bond does affect yours, see “Red Alert.”	WHAT TO DO When you’re alone with your guy, calmly say, “When your ex does [blank], I get really uncomfortable. I’d prefer if you guys weren’t so intimate.” If he continues to ignore this boundary, see “Warning!”	WHAT TO DO Together with your guy, go up to his ex and firmly say, “Please stop writing about me, or we’ll take action.” If she doesn’t stop, go to wiredsafety.org for help reporting her to authorities.
WHY You both need friends (that’s technically all she is) to round out your lives. If you nag him about her, you’ll seem clingy.	WHY If you focus on how you feel (instead of blaming him), he’ll hear you and make it clear to his ex it’s over, so she’ll stop.	WHY Abusive situations shouldn’t be handled alone. A united front will make her realize this tactic won’t win him back.

WARNING!

If he won’t stop giving his ex signals that it’s okay for her to flirt with him, he might still like her—even if he doesn’t admit it. His actions show a serious lack of respect for you, and even if it hurts, that’s a sign for you to move on.