Your freshman year is behind you, and you’re feeling more confident as a sophomore. You may not be sure about how to prepare for college, but our Sophomore Checklist has many college prep tips to start you in the right direction.
Get organized. Buy a calendar – write in college visits, major fairs, etc. Use folders to organize material for financial aid, majors, scholarships, camps, honors, etc.
Take the right classes. Make sure they meet UNK admissions standards. Ask your school counselor.
Consider AP classes. Ask teachers and parents if it’s right for you; classes may apply toward college credit.
Your GPA matters. Work for good grades. Read, write, and build your vocabulary. Set goals and stay motivated.
Talk to upperclassmen. Learn what you can from older high school students about ACT prep courses.
Take a practice ACT. Go to ACT.org/PreACT and take the PreACT to give you a sense of the ACT.
Get a taste of college life. Attend a conference or camp at UNK; have lunch with a friend on campus and visit his/her room.
Talk with a UNK rep.Request information and when a rep visits your school, ask many questions.
Gather Information. While visiting campus, ask for financial aid information and details about your major.
Explore career paths. Identify interests, talk with others in various fields, job shadow, and research.
Summer employment. Find jobs in fields you’re interested in to give you a better insight to a career path.
Research. What are high-demand jobs? What interests you and what degree or training is required? UNK has tools to help you. Visit unk.edu/Focus2.
Review your online profile. Examine your Facebook and other social networks. Delete content that may be viewed unfavorably by employers, colleges, and scholarship committees. Use caution posting.
Discuss college finances with your family. Will parents help pay? Will loans be necessary? Will you work while attending college?
Save money. Start now, create a plan, and put money in an interest-bearing account. Find summer jobs.
Research financial aid. Learn all you can about FAFSA and various aid: loans, grants, work study, and scholarships.
Research scholarships. Learn all you can about scholarships from UNK, local groups, and businesses. What do they require? Search online to find a larger pool of regional and national scholarships.
Get involved. Extracurriculars, jobs, and volunteering are important elements for scholarships, especially those that develop leadership skills. Stand out.
Record Your Achievements. Begin an on-going list of your honors, awards, activities, volunteer work, leadership experience, etc. This will help build a resume later for scholarships.
Build & Network. Build good relationships with teachers and counselors who you can ask later to write scholarship recommendation letters.
Attend financial aid sessions offered by your high school. Be informed about the types of aid, including scholarships and how to qualify for them.
Consider military options.ROTC and National Guard will help pay for college. Talk to your counselor.
Compare the cost. If you consider other colleges, compare annual cost equally using 15 credit hours per semester for tuition/fees, room, meals, and indirect cost (books, clothing, transportation, etc.). UNK offers the lowest cost among all Nebraska universities.
Weigh the cost. Some jobs require a certain degree but don’t require a degree from a certain school. If you’re thinking of a pricier school, don’t justify taking on huge debt for the “experience.” The 30-year-old you, will thank you.
