Do you want to go to a big school or small school? Do you want to live in Texas or venture out of state? Do you prefer having small class sizes or big class sizes?

Take note of admissions criteria, deadlines, etc.

The earlier you start your search, the more best match options you will find by your senior year

It is highly recommended that you take the SAT and/or ACT in your junior year

Visit the college adviser at your high school for assistance with registering

Some schools require a minimum score for acceptance

Get free SAT preparation at KahnAcademy.org/sat

College representatives are a great resource to gain valuable information about schools you are considering

It is your job to ask them questions that are important to making your final decision

• What is the student to teacher ratio in the classroom?

• What academic resources are offered?

• How many clubs and organizations are there?

Take note of admissions criteria, deadlines, etc.

Visiting a college campus can help you decide if the institution is the right one for you

Take a campus tour, visit with staff and students, but most importantly, ask questions

Take note of admissions criteria, deadlines, etc.

Try to visit more than one campus so you can compare your experiences

Talk to your school counselor or teachers about Advanced Placement courses

Colleges want to see that you are interested in learning new things and will work hard to excel in the classroom

Colleges want to see that you care about your community and are willing to make it a better place

Examples of volunteering:

• Helping at a hospital, pet shelter, library, or summer camp

• Tutoring students through an official organization

• Helping at church events

Visit our 'Volunteer Info' page under the 'Resources' tab for volunteering opportunities in San Antonio

Being involved at your school shows that you are committed to something that you care about 

Leadership experience shows that you are a team player, can manage your time well, and care about diversifying your experiences

Academic preparation is a critical part of being college-ready

Some high schools have access to programs like UTSA Ready which helps students prepare for college through academic enrichment opportunities

Ask your college advisor if your high school has access to any academic enrichment programs

When applying to colleges and scholarships in your senior year, you will be asked to list all of your challenging classes, volunteer experiences, extracurricular activities, and enrichment programs

Colleges want to see what you are passionate about and how hard you worked over your high school career

Visit the 'Resume Building' page under the 'Resources' tab for free templates

What subjects do you like? What makes you happy? What do you enjoy doing with your free time?

Searching your career options will help you select a major later on

Visit the 'Career Search' page under the 'Resources' tab for help searching

Saving money for important college necessities like books, food, dorms, and tuition can be very beneficial if you start early

Talk to a parent or guardian about opening a savings account