Advice for Sophomores

Advice for Tenth Graders 

Tenth Grade should be your year to take a more focused approach to your studies and interests. 

• Take challenging courses. Work with your assistant principal, advisor, and teachers to determine the most rigorous course of study for you!  Try to take as many honors or advanced classes that are available in subjects that in which you excel.  Strive for A's in all of your classes.
   
• Select your extracurricular activities carefully. Pursue clubs, organizations, sports, and electives that inspire you most!  Look for opportunities to take a leadership role.
   
• Get involved in community and service activities. Involvement may lead to scholarships and/or summer jobs. 
   
• Discuss college costs with your parents. (Even you can help contribute to your college fund by starting to save.) It's never too early to start creating a financial plan for college. 
   
• Begin to explore careers and colleges. Talk to people in jobs that interest you. Research information online and at your local library.
   
• Continue to update your portfolio folder, keeping track of your accomplishments.
   
• Take the PSAT in mid-October. (Students are automatically registered to take the PSAT through the Office of College Counseling.)
   
• Think about SAT Subject Tests (if appropriate). Talk to your teachers to determine if you should take an SAT Subject Test in May or June! (Click here for detailed SAT suggestions for tenth graders at MCHS.)

• Review SAT Information for Tenth Graders.

• Get some great advice about the college admission process by reading these articles: Admissions Officers Avoid Serial Joiners and Don't Make the Path to College Unnecessarily Tough.

• Familiarize yourself with the Most Important Factors used in the college admission process.

• Complete the Developing Your College Criteria chart to determine the types of college environments that would work best for you.

• Complete the Now and Later quiz.

• Plan for your summer. Think about a summer job, enrichment programs, summer workshops and camps, or registering for a community college course. Check out our list of resources for summer.