Sophomore Year to-do list

Tenth grade is the time to get a sense of what type of college a student finds most appealing. While it is very important to have several conversations with your school counselor in junior year about what colleges are good matches, those conversations are informed by a junior's awareness of his or her priorities. During sophomore year, visit a representative sample of the many options, that are only a short drive away:

	SMALL	MEDIUM	LARGE
URBAN	University of Baltimore	Johns Hopkins U Howard University	Temple University
SUBURBAN	Goucher College Notre Dame U of Maryland	UMBC Morgan State University	University of Maryland University of Delaware
RURAL	Hood College McDaniel College U of Maryland Eastern Shore	Frostburg State U Salisbury University	Penn State University

• Now, you don't need to visit all of the colleges listed, or even one from each box. If you can see one small, one medium, and one large college, that also happen to be in an urban, suburban, and rural area, then you can rule-in or rule-out a particular group of colleges. At this stage of the game, the academic rigor or specific culture of a college is not necessarily relevant, although it is worthwhile to make mental notes of your impressions as you go, because you may need them later.
• In order to come back as a junior next year, you will need to have earned at least nine credits, including English 9 AND Government, as well as either English 10 or World History.
• Understanding PSAT results - also see Carolyn Lawrence's blog
• Use this spreadsheet to anticipate your cumulative GPA and QPA.
• From a college admissions perspective, your Grade Point Average is one-third established. Whatever you earn this year can help to mitigate any issues you had last year, with the expectation that next year's grades will be the best you earn in high school, while the whole time, increasing the level of academic rigor in your high school program.
• Please understand that when we talk about increasing your rigor and adding Advanced Placement coursework in your junior and senior years, more is not necessarily better. Just because four teachers recommend you for AP coursework as a junior, that does not mean that it's really in your best interest to take four AP courses next year. Understand that each AP course carries with it tremendous responsibility and an enormous time commitment. Think about your many roles - sibling, child, employee, friend, athlete, leader, and, of course, student. But while academics is the most important aspect of your life right now, it is certainly not the only aspect of your life. Colleges look for "rigor." Internalize that message as striking a balance between your ability, your interest, and your overall life's priorities and obligations.
• Register in March or April to take the SAT Subject Tests in Chemistry, World History if they are particular strengths of yours.
• If you plan to be eligible for NCAA intercollegiate athletics, use this spreadsheet to anticipate your core GPA. 
• Some people consider graduating a year early. Read this article if you are considering such a choice.