Choosing your plan after high school can be an overwhelming experience. Some students do not even know where to start. The first step is to decide what you are interested in. Use the following information to start your search then see your adviser to help you determine the best choice for your post secondary education.
1. WHAT ARE YOUR INTERESTS?
Take an interest inventory or personality test to decide on an interest or career path for you. There are some assessments in Naviance Student - Strengths Explorer and the Cluster Finder. Take them both, and others that you can find online. The more you know about yourself, the better you will be able to make decisions about your future.
In order to help you as you take a survey, make a list of your hobbies, activities, and interests. Ask yourself some of these questions:
- Are you an introvert or extrovert?
- Are you people oriented or task oriented?
- Do you work better with a lot of guidance or with a lot of free reign?
- Are you more creatively inclined?
- Do you prefer math or English?
- What can you see yourself doing one day that will make you happy?
2. CHOOSE YOUR MAJOR
Once you figure out what your career aspirations are, find the best college major for you. Utilize the Career and College sections in Naviance Student to determine what best fits what you want to do after college to complie a list of majors for you to research.
3. SEARCH FOR COLLEGES
Once you know your major, you need to search for colleges that have that program of study. Things to take into consideration are location, cost, and admissions requirements.
4. TAKE SAT OR ACT
Register and take the SAT, ACT, or even both. Most colleges will accept either test. College Board does offer SAT Subject tests in addition to the SAT general test with essay. The subjects tests may be required by some colleges depending on the major you choose.
It is recommended that students take either test for the first time during the Spring of their junior year of high school. Then, if you feel you need to retake it, you have time before college application deadlines arrive.
Many colleges continue to uphold test-optional policies that began during the COVID-19 pandemic, allowing students to apply without submitting SAT or ACT scores. However, some institutions, including several Ivy League schools, have reinstated test requirements. For students applying test-optional, strengthening other application components—such as GPA, extracurricular activities, essays, and letters of recommendation—is essential.
While some colleges extend test-optional policies to merit-based scholarships, others still require standardized test scores for eligibility. Researching each institution’s specific scholarship criteria and meeting all deadlines is crucial. Submitting strong test scores, even at test-optional schools, can enhance scholarship opportunities and improve admission chances.
5. APPLY
Now you are ready to start your application.
