Getting an early start on college and career preparation helps students and families

     Preparing for college can be daunting for students and their families, but there are ways to ensure a seamless preparation process.

     “Students can begin preparing for college as soon as 9th grade by taking the most rigorous courses available to them and based on their interests,” says Gwinnett School of Mathematics, Science, and Technology Counselor Katrina Cole-Garner. “Focus on establishing solid study habits, get the best grades possible to establish a strong grade point average and explore a few clubs or activities to get involved in.”

With recommended resources from the GCPS Counseling, College & Career Services team, the following college prep checklist will help outline the path to post-secondary success.

SchooLinks:

     Students can start their prep by using a new resource provided by Gwinnett County Public Schools (GCPS) called SchooLinks. The platform enables students to explore their higher education options, build college lists, and explore career pathways. SchooLinks is accessible to every GCPS student through their student portal. To support students, counselors will use SchooLinks during classroom lessons throughout this year.

Georgia Futures (GAFutures):

     GAFutures is an online resource that helps students plan for college and their careers. It provides Georgia residents with insights into scholarship and financial aid opportunities, helps identify colleges that best match their goals and academic profile, and offers guidance on educational and career pathways across the country.

     “It is never too early to start preparing for college. GCPS students begin learning about careers in all grade levels, but in high school, students immediately begin building their GPA for future college admissions and scholarships,” says Lanier High School College and Career Specialist Joanna Key. “Students have a plethora of high school opportunities to consider supporting their college preparation, including pathway completion courses, dual enrollment, Advanced Placement courses, Work-Based Learning, as well as numerous school clubs and organizations. These experiences are helpful in the preparation process, and students can discover their likes or dislikes, strengths, and opportunities, all while building a resume for college applications.”

Common Application:

     Launched in 1975, the Common Application, or “Common App”, is an undergraduate college application used among more than 1,000 post-secondary institutions to simplify the application process. Becoming familiar with the Common App will help students prepare other parts of their college application, like letters of recommendation or essays.

     “In GCPS, we start the [college preparation] conversation early with intentional tasks to complete in each grade level for college and career,” Key shares. “This is key to knowing college options that best fit a student's goals. Whether in-state or out-of-state, public or private, technical or community college, HBCU or Ivy League, students in GCPS can find their best path forward. Additionally, college tours can be essential in the selection process. Many students have an idea of the campus, but there's more to experience, including the size of the campus, rural or urban locations, etc. We encourage students to take advantage of field trips and free campus weekend visits. If a student can't attend a campus tour in person, a virtual tour is strongly recommended to get a feel for campus life.”

SAT/ACT:

     The SAT and ACT are standardized tests that juniors and seniors can take to assess their strengths in mathematics, reading, and writing. However, the ACT includes a science section in its exam. Check with your student’s school or website for further information about official and practice testing opportunities.

PSAT

GCPS students in grades 8, 10, and 11 will take the PSAT this October free of charge. Sophomores and juniors will take the PSAT/NMSQT on October 22, while the PSAT 8/9 will take place on October 28 for grade 8 students.

Both PSATs are part of the College Board’s SAT Suite of Assessments and provide an opportunity for students to preview the test and gain insights into areas of strength and growth. The PSAT assessments not only signal college readiness, but results will also include information about future careers and readiness for Advanced Placement (AP) courses.

• The PSAT/NMSQT is now digital. Find out what to expect on test day.

• The content on the PSAT/NMSQT is very similar to the SAT, with Reading, Writing, and Math sections.
• To prepare, full-length adaptive digital PSAT/NMSQT practice is available on the Bluebook™ app. 

Additional resources for college preparation are listed below:

• Federal Student Aid (FAFSA)
  • “Completing the FAFSA application is vital, and this application typically opens on October 1st of senior year. The FAFSA is linked to grants, loans, and scholarships. Additionally, many students are eligible for Hope or Zell Miller Scholarships in Georgia based on their GPA, and others may qualify for the Hope Grant at technical colleges. It's good to know there are scholarship options available for a wide range of GPAs,” Key explains.
• Big Future
• National Association for College Admission Counseling

      Preparing students for college and careers is an opportunity for families to discuss the future. “Ask your student to see the results from their career interest or aptitude inventories and use this as a discovery tool,” adds Cole-Garner.  “A lot of parents think the ASVAB (Armed Services Vocational Aptitude Battery) is only for students interested in the military. While it can be used for that, it is a wonderful aptitude assessment that can help 11th and 12th graders do some meaningful career exploration.”

Reach out to your school Counselor/College and Career Specialist for further information!