If you are a high school freshman, sophomore or junior (or parent) ready to get a jump start on planning for college -- kudos to you.  

An early start will give you time to define your goals, size up your interests, get a feel for a broad array of schools that fit your budget, learn about student aid & scholarships, prep for entrance exams and take steps to make yourself more attractive to college admissions officers.

This Ten Step College Planning Guide from InLikeMe.com, can help you navigate the road to college with more success and less stress.

 #1     Stay Focused on Academics

College admissions officers and counselors agree that your academic record is the single most important factor.   InLikeMe’s popular post: Getting Accepted: Eleven Key Factors Colleges Look For in Applicants puts a challenging curriculum and strong grades at the top of the list. A rigorous class schedule shows intellectual curiosity, a willingness to challenge yourself and that you are comfortable with hard work. There are financial benefits too. A strong academic record can lead to merit scholarships and credits earned from dual enrollment, AP, and IB classes and CLEP exams can cut college costs. 

# 2   Keep Active, Be A Leader &  Enhance Your “Hook”

All competitive colleges seek to build a diversified and interesting student body. In past years, most successful applicants were well-rounded high-achievers. These days, there is a growing preference for involved, high-achievers who also possess a special activity (pursued with passion) that sets them apart from other applicants.   Learn how to stand out from the pack by reading: Strategic Positioning – Creating Your “Wow Factor”, “Dazzle” or “Hook”  Now is also a good time to investigate summer jobs, programs and activities to enhance your candidacy. 

# 3   Register & Prep for SAT / ACT and Subject Tests

Strong scores not only improve your chances of acceptance, they can also lead to significant scholarship money. The SAT and ACT are very different college entrance exams. Most colleges accept either (or both). Since it’s not unusual for a student to score in a significantly higher percentile on one test vs. the other, many students ask “SAT and/or ACT: Which Is Best For Me?” And those who say you can’t prep for the SAT and ACT tests are wrong. For those with initiative, there are many excellent free prep tools including   Pink Monkey, Number2, PrepHub, FreeSAT1Prep, Free Rice and Google’s Adaptive SAT Practice Gadget to help you boost your scores.   

InLikeMe’s Ultimate College-Bound Resource List contains links to these and other helpful sites.    Learn more: College Entrance Exam Advice, Information & Preparation.

# 4     Start Researching Colleges

Researching and selecting colleges that are right for you takes many forms including guidebooks, school web sites, brochures, online tours, rankings, college fairs and visiting campuses. Students and parents who thirst for a centralized Web 2.0 style resource should check out Unigo.com, a no-fee site packed full of candid reviews (written by students), videos, photos, admissions information and more.    InLikeMe’s Ultimate College-Bound Resource List contains links to numerous search, campus tour, rankings & review sites including popular new sites such as Zinch, Unigo and CollegeClickTV along with Kiplinger’s Best College Values, a favorite in the current recession, as many families seek affordable, high-quality education.

  # 5 Attend College Fairs & Information Sessions

College Fairs are a quick and low cost way (often free) to check out many schools (on the same day) and meet admissions representatives without traveling far from home.   Learn how to make the most of the college fair with effective organization, note taking and planning.

 # 6 Get up to Speed on Financial Aid & Scholarships

A college education can be an extraordinary investment that opens doors and eyes to interesting and lucrative career opportunities, probably not otherwise possible. It can also be one of the largest investments you'll make in your lifetime.   Fortunately, there are many opportunities for financial assistance – merit aid, scholarships, loans, grants, work-study -- to make college more affordable and help you pay the bill.     Before you cross a college off of your wish list due to “sticker shock”, understand that the real cost of college is the “net price” (list price minus the amount of financial aid) which may make the situation look a lot less dire. Check out: College Sticker Price vs. Affordability and Scholarship Road Map.   It is not unusual for a private college education to cost less than attending a public university as an out-of-state student.

 # 7 Research College Majors & Careers

You’re not alone if you are a high school student without clear direction about your future. Most young people can benefit from self-assessment tools to help define goals and explore college environments, academic majors and potential careers.   Finding Direction: Assessment Tools for College & Career Planning provides useful advice along with helpful self-assessment tools.

 # 8 Build Your College Admissions Team

Navigating the road to college can be a daunting experience. There’s no need to go at it alone. Building Your College Admissions Team  will help you benefit from the support and advice of people you know and trust such as your Guidance Counselor, Friends & Family, Teachers, Coaches, Employers, Club Advisors, Volunteer Activity Leaders and Local Alumni. Your counselor is a key team member. If you haven’t done so already, it’s a good time to meet with your counselor to map out a game plan and make sure you are on the right track. 

 #9   Start Drafting your Admissions Resume

Your College Admission Resume is a special resume that highlights your accomplishments during high school. It can be a tremendous asset when you fill out applications, meet with interviewers, ask for recommendations and apply for scholarships. InLikeMe’s Composing your College Admission Resume will tell you how to organize your activities, awards, honors, community service, leadership positions, jobs & internships and present them in a compelling resume.

 #10     Brainstorm on College & Scholarship Essays

Some students report a brain freeze when they sit down to write college essays.   You can ease the stress and enhance your raw material (activities, leadership positions, summer job, internship, college course, community service) with some up front planning.  Colleges look for articulate, well-written, thoughtful essays providing insight into your personality, values, and goals.

Read Writing an Effective Application Essay to learn how you can stand out with well-composed essays about what makes you a truly special candidate -- your passions, personality, character, personal achievements, background, special talents, sense of humor, inner resilience, writing ability as well as your reasoning for choices you have made.