Success Planning Guide - 9th Grade | Silver Spring

9th Grade College Counseling

Color Coding: Student Responsibilities, Events, Student and Family Steps

• Concentrate on doing well in school. Grades are the most important part of any college application.

• Talk with your Advisor about how you’re transitioning to high school and how you might employ strategies and tools to be successful.

• Self-advocate with your teachers for extra help and to develop a strong foundation of knowledge.

• Explore extracurricular interests. These might include sports, school clubs, volunteer work, part-time jobs, religious activities, and fine arts lessons and activities. Remember: colleges also like to see continual commitment to a core group of activities rather than a tenuous connection to numerous ones.

• Start a folder of accomplishments (such as grade reports, awards, prizes, team memberships, leadership positions, jobs). Maintain this folder through 12th grade. It is invaluable when preparing a resume.

• Secure an internship that allows you to explore interests you’ll want to study in college.

• Attend the College Process and Financial Aid Information Sessions to get a feel for the scope of the college process and how to prepare for it.