So, you've begun the process. You’ve started on a pathway for life. You have entered 9th grade, and parents and their friends have asked about your plans. You are not sure, but you think you may have a plan, or many plans. Here are some things to think about as you begin the journey.

1. Academic performance: GPA (grade point average) and class rank;

2. Academic rigor: A student who shows superior ability and a willingness to take on challenges (honors, accelerated, AP courses);

3. Depth of study: in areas like foreign languages, and math. Some schools are cautious about students dipping into many different areas;

4. Rigor: Four/five solidly rigorous academic courses taken each year in English, math, science, history, language;

5. Trends: Do your grades improve each year? Were you able to overcome poorer grades you received in your earliest experiences? Recent performance is the most important indicator of ability and motivation (no senior sliding in the rigorous pathway you have pursued in the past);

6. Consistency: All parts should equal the whole. You should "come alive" on paper. If discrepancies appear (that C- you got freshman year in physics, for instance) they should be addressed and clarified in an essay or personal statement;

7. Standardized tests: It is helpful to know that many colleges combine test scores (SAT, ACT, Achievements) with GPA and class rank. If you are not a good test taker, avoid colleges that do this or be sure your test scores are not so low that you will be out of the running. Consider taking the ACT or SAT more than once. Research suggests that students generally do better the second time;

9. Extracurricular activities: If two students are equal academically, the highly selective schools make their decisions on the creative presentation of extracurricular activities, quality recommendations, the essay/personal statement, and the interview;

10. Community service: During the high school years, the student who donates her time will receive special consideration from the admissions office. Giving to the community tells officials you will be an asset to the college and will, more than likely, form a close, long-term attachment there;

11. Recommendations: Teachers writing these all-important documents should be positive and point out the ways this student distinguishes himself from others. The recommendation should be aligned with the rest of the application;

12. The essay: Be careful on this one. Many gifted students have trouble dealing with open-ended questions. Colleges are looking to see if the prospective student is capable of college-level work. If you write beautiful, creative prose, be sure to document sources and present genuine information. Proof read your work. Edit. Read it out loud. Listen for cumbersome, stumbling phrases; run on sentences; confusion from what is implied; missing information; misuse of words, etc. Seek critical assistance from your teachers or counselors. Another set of eyes may see what you have missed.

Meet with your guidance counselor. Review the Registration Book. Look at the pathways suggested for college bound students. Become familiar with the requirements for graduation, and an explanation of the grading system.

Draft a four-year schedule of classes that meet the minimum requirements for college admission. Look for the most rigorous pathways that meet your needs.

Find out about the extracurricular activities in which you'd like to become involved. Take a look at each option and in what season it is offered.

Build a flexible schedule that will accommodate time for studying, extracurricular activities, physical activities, and relaxing.

Update your four-year class schedule. Make sure that you are meeting the minimum requirements for college admissions, and you are on track to complete most of the requirements by the end of your junior year. When registering for your 11th grade classes, be sure to include one or more rigorous courses (AP, honors, accelerated or PSEO). These will help you prepare for college coursework and rigor, and will enhance your applications and resume.

Update your four-year athletic and extracurricular calendar. Have you set, and are you meeting, specific goals?

You may have the option to register for the PSAT/NMSQT (you may need to contact your guidance counselor directly if you are not asked; our school only automatically registers juniors for the test).

Take the PSAT (given only once in October).

If you are pursuing a sport seriously, research NCAA requirements. Talk with your coaches. Plan an academic athletic program that allows you to maintain eligibility for NCAA programs.

Register for the PSAT/NMSQT.

Take the PSAT/NMSQT in October. Your counselors will notify you with an invitation.

Begin the college search process (through books, software, or online search programs).

Establish criteria for selection. Is it academic offerings? Is it money? Is it the scholarships available? Is it location? Is it the program that best prepares you for graduate work? Is it the reputation of a specific department? Is it where your family members have gone? Is it the school your friends endorse? Is it because of their acceptance policy for AP scores? Will your grades transfer easily to other schools if you decide to change? Is it a school you could transfer to after a year someplace else? Is it the extra-curricular offerings? What other criteria do you have? Prioritize your criteria. Share your list with someone else. Are there other areas you have not listed that your reader suggests? Expand your criteria.

Generate a list of no more than 20 schools that appear to meet many of your criteria. Go online and take a look. Write to these schools and request an application with information for admissions. Watch for the mail. You will hear from all the schools you contact and others, as well.

If playing sports in college is a goal, write to college coaches for your sport at your target schools. Send them a note describing your interest in their school's program and your experience in the sport (including years played, training, stats, and special honors and awards). Also include a schedule of activity for the upcoming year (intercollegiate calendar, local and other tournaments, special camps and programs). Register with the NCAA Initial-Eligibility Clearinghouse. If it is choir or band you are considering, make a tape. Find out what incentives your schools offer. What are the possibilities?

Attend the college fair organized through the counseling department, and begin visiting your target schools, if at all possible. Talk with your counselor. Ask about the schedule of visiting recruiters, and circle the dates for recruiters visiting from your target schools.

Summarize the academic requirements that apply to your schools. Compare them to your course schedule. Adjust your course schedule (if necessary) to be sure that you meet the academic requirements of your target schools. When registering for your 12th grade classes, be sure to include one or more rigorous courses (AP, honors, accelerated or PSEO). Do not build a senior schedule of easy, non-challenging courses.

Begin preparing for the SAT I. If you're within 50 points of the average scores, at minimum, purchase a book and self-study for the SAT I. If you are more than 50 points away on the math and/or verbal scores, undertake a formal course of study, through books, software, or a course. Start your study program in January so you can build and practice the skills you need before the May test date.

If many of your target schools require the ACT, begin preparing for it, and determine whether your remaining schools will accept the ACT instead of the SAT I.

Request financial aid bulletins from all of your target schools. Estimate the college costs, and begin to identify the ways in which you and your family will meet them. Get a copy of the Free Application of Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) and take your family through the process of completing one. Use one of the software and/or online programs to estimate your Expected Family Contribution.

Begin searching for scholarship programs for which you will be eligible. Collect and prepare drafts of the application materials. There exist websites and books that offer a variety of services and information regarding scholarship. Be careful of promises that appear to be good to be true. They probably are. Draft a schedule of deadline dates for scholarship application so you will be prepared to meet them.

The summer between junior and senior years provides an excellent opportunity to visit college campuses. If you can get to one or more of the campuses on your list of target schools, great. If not, try to get to schools close to home that are similar. In the metro area, there are large, medium, small, public, private, secular and non-secular schools. Just being on a campus will help you to determine what your priorities are in choosing the right college for you.

Review your list of target schools. What are your chances of getting in? Set them against your criteria. Has your criteria changed? Make sure to include one fall back school on your list.

Review the admissions requirements one final time to make sure you meet the academic and testing requirements. Make adjustments to course schedule as needed.

Take the SAT I or ACT again if you need higher test scores and have prepared over the summer to improve them.

Meet with visiting recruiters from your target schools. Watch for announcements and posted schedules.

If you'll be pursuing athletics at college, make telephone contact with the coaches at your target schools. Update your athletic resume, and keep coaches up-to-date on your latest activities and schedules. Find out the Letter of Intent dates for your sport from the NCAA.

Send for the application materials for your targeted scholarship and grant programs. You can apply on-line or through the mail. At some locations the on-line process allows you to hold your incomplete application until you decide it is ready. Some schools waive the application fee when applying on-line. If applying on-line, make sure you tell the counseling office that you are doing so, for each application, so that they can mail in the official transcript. Your application will not be considered without an official transcript. Make sure that you meet eligibility requirements for each program.

Visit the campuses on your list of targets.

Identify at least two teachers and two extracurricular advisors (e.g., coach and employer) who could write solid, glowing recommendations for you. Approach them and discuss where you'll be applying, why, and your desire to have them support your application through a great recommendation about your character, contributions, and ability. As you request the letter you may be asked to sign the waiver which states you will not see the finished work of your recommendation. You may want to consider asking your reference to provide you with a copy if they are comfortable with your request.

Complete your school and scholarship applications. Have someone who has great English skills (such as an English teacher) review your application and essays for corrections and neatness. Do not forget to provide your reader with the prompt.

Note that applications for admissions and scholarships are usually accepted beginning in November; for early decisions and priority consideration for scholarships, you must apply now. Some schools have rolling admissions that are dependent on your efforts to get the application process complete as soon as possible. Some schools have abandoned early decision, as well.

Get a copy of the Free Application of Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). The FAFSA is usually made available in November. FAFSA can be completed on-line, as well. You can get immediate feedback using this process. FAFSA will be completed after your family completes their 1040, etc.

If you have covered all of the angles, you wait. You may be waiting on a number of schools. Make some decisions surrounding new criteria you will use when you do have the choice. Make other visits, if possible. While you are at the school, talk with current students. Find out why they chose their school. What have they learned since being there that would help you decide? Questioning opens doors.

Wait. But do not lose sight of the academic focus in which you are currently engaged. Keep those grades up. And start imagining what the next year will be like.