1. Create Account
  2. Login
StudyUSA
Match Me
  • Create Account
  • Login
  • School Search
  • Resources
    • All Resources
    • Articles
    • Student Voices
    • Videos
    • Magazines
    • Podcasts
  • Services
    • All Services
    • Accommodation
    • Support
    • Career
    • Financial
    • Testing
    • Other
  • Apply
  • Chat

Making the Most Out of High School While Preparing For the Future

Making the Most Out of High School While Preparing For the Future

Jul 18, 2019


Find schools for students age 10-18


International students need to think about entry requirements long before they mail the actual application to a university

Parents often wonder how they can prepare their teenagers for top U.S. universities and colleges. International students need to think about entry requirements long before they mail the actual application to a university.

For Parents

Preparing now for your children's future and career is the most important favor you can do for them. You can do this through long-range educational planning. Begin helping your son or daughter understand that the competition is especially fierce to get into top schools. Even if your child has a 3.5 Grade Point Average and a 1300 combined SAT score, statistically you have less than a 20% chance of being accepted by an Ivy League university.

Help your son or daughter plan to take secondary courses that will make sense to college admissions committees. If possible, try to take required standardized tests (TOEFL, SAT) by the end of the junior year (11th grade).

Be prepared to compete with your neighbors, colleagues, and friends for seats in the freshman class (first year of university). This is especially true for international students, who often apply to the same big-name U.S. universities as U.S. students.

Seriously think about Early Decision programs. Often, this can give you a needed edge in the admissions process.

Help foster a positive learning environment at home, encourage good study skills, and emphasize the importance of time management. Encourage your son or daughter to use school vacations and holidays to participate in activities that are related to his or her academic or intellectual interests.

For Students

Develop an academic or intellectual orientation and opt for the most rigorous high school courses available. Take as many classes as you can in your area of interest. Think about enrolling in courses at a local university while still in secondary school.

Explore your interests and be honest with yourself. Try to decide what academic areas you might want to pursue during your college career. Enroll in honors, International Baccalaureate, or Advanced Placement (A.P.) courses, if possible.

Get involved in after-school activities that are related to your academic interests. Activities like debate, student government, and Model United Nations are useful, for example, for aspiring lawyers and diplomats.

Take advantage of volunteer and work opportunities in your community (volunteer, intern, work, write articles for local newspapers). Admissions committees often look for demonstrated commitment to your community. It is easier to prove that you will make a difference on a prospective university campus if you have contributed meaningfully to your high school community.

Follow us:
Written by

Steve Goodman

Get matched to the best program for you

Let us know what you're looking for so we can find the best school for you.

Get matched
Call to action background image. Decorative.

Useful Articles

Main image for the article titled Studying English at Grossmont College in California
Studying English at Grossmont College in California
Main image for the article titled Studying Industrial Engineering at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville
Studying Industrial Engineering at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville
Main image for the article titled Value of an International Education
Value of an International Education
Main image for the article titled Flexible International Student Loans
Flexible International Student Loans

Check Out These Schools

Central Washington University

Central Washington University

$2500—$5000 Quarter

2yr/Community College - 2+2 Programs Masters Bachelor Degree
Contact
HACC, Central Pennsylvania’s Community College

HACC, Central Pennsylvania’s Community College

$20,000—$25,000 Year

2yr/Community College - 2+2 Programs Summer English Programs
Contact
Riverside City College

Riverside City College

$10,000 — $15,000 Year

Certificate/Short Term English Programs 2yr/Community College - 2+2 Programs
Contact

Related Stories

Internships 101: What You Need to Know

Main image for the article titled Internships 101: What You Need to Know
American Slang Words you Need to Know in 2021

Main image for the article titled American Slang Words you Need to Know in 2021
Living in the Dormitory: Everything You Need to Know

Main image for the article titled Living in the Dormitory: Everything You Need to Know
Internships for Credit: What You Need to Know

Main image for the article titled Internships for Credit: What You Need to Know

Start your U.S. adventure with Study in the USA

What's your dream? We can guide, advise, and connect you with your perfect U.S. school. We can also help you with the application process.
More about us
Partner Services

Learn About U.S. education financing, housing, and more

Partner service logo for IELTS for the USA

IELTS for the USA

IELTS is the world’s most popular English language proficiency test for higher education and global migration. It is accepted by more than 3,400 institutions in the US. If you want to study in the US, IELTS can help you get there!

Read more
Partner service logo for Student loan for international students? Yes, it is real!

Student loan for international students? Yes, it is real!

MPOWER Financing is the top-rated lender offering international student loans without cosigners, collateral, or credit history for global citizens, PLUS international student scholarships & career coaching! Fully online application, 96% customer...

Read more
Partner service logo for Morning Brew

Morning Brew

BECOME SMARTER IN JUST 5 MINUTES. Get the daily email that makes reading the news actually enjoyable. Stay informed and entertained, for free.

Read more

Testimonials

Quotation mark.

Study in the USA helped me to find the program in San Antonio

Marlon Cruz Colombia

I regularly find information regarding the best university for me and which is available on StudyUSA.com

Andi Firman Muhibuddin Indonesia

Study in the USA provided me with a lot of information about the program I was interested in at my university. I was able to get all sorts of statistics, as well as learn about the internships I could apply to while at the university.

Raiza Soares India

Resources

Learn about American culture and education direct from our experts at Study in the USA. Read more

Achieving Your Goal
Admissions and Placement Testing
Beyond the Basics
Education System in the USA
Financing Your U.S. Education
Frequently Asked Questions
Life in the USA
Resources
Student Experiences
For students age 10-18
Study in Canada
Podcasts
Magazines
Videos
Student Voices

Subscribe to get the latest from Study in the USA

You can unsubscribe at any time.


StudyUSA
Explore

  • School Search
  • Resources
  •   Articles
  •   Student Voices
  •   Videos
  •   Magazines
  • Partner Services
  •   Accommodation
  •   Career
  •   Financial
  •   Other
  •   Support
  •   Testing
  • Apply
  • Chat
Information

  • About Us
  • Contact Us
  • Course Index
  • Article Index
  • Create account
  • Sign in
  • For Educators & Institutions
Match Me
  • English
    العربيـة English Español Français Bahasa Indonesia 日本語 한국어 Português Русский ภาษาไทย Türkçe Tiếng Việt 简体中文 繁體中文

  • Privacy & Policy
  • /
  • Terms

Study in the USA logo

© 2022 Study in the USA. All Rights Reserved.

Global Study logo
A member of the Global Study network

When you visit or interact with our sites, services or tools, we or our authorised service providers may use cookies for storing information to help provide you with a better, faster and safer experience and for marketing purposes.