This document provides college success tips for current high school seniors. It outlines important deadlines like accepting your college offer by May 1st and signing up for housing which may require another deposit. It stresses taking placement tests seriously as they impact your first year class schedule. Other tips include finishing senior year strong, applying for summer programs, attending early orientations, applying for additional scholarships, researching extracurriculars, working on campus if possible, getting to know professors, including family, and enjoying college which is meant to be fun. It concludes by having students write down goals and questions to discuss further.

1. College Success Tips
for Current High
School Seniors
Rebecca Joseph, PhD
Cal State LA
getmetocollege@gmail.com

2. Accept Your College by May 1
Accept your spot.
Pay the deposit (sometimes they will let your advance financial
aid to cover it.) This deposit is paid back to you when your
regular bill is due.

3. Sign Up For housing
• Some colleges require
another deposit. Again
you get this money back.
Borrow if you must. The
earlier you pay for
housing, the better your
housing may be.
• Living in the dorms is
covered by your financial
aid and gives you so
much independence.
• College life is fun.

4. Make sure you take and
submit placement tests
• The Cal States,
University of
California, and many
private colleges require
placement tests for
English, math, and
foreign language.
• Take these tests
seriously as they affect
your freshman year,
and what classes you
can take.

5. Finish senior year strong
• Make sure you pass
your classes with Cs
or higher in your core
classes.
• Don’t get beaten
down by senioritis.

6. Apply and Accept for
Summer Bridge Programs
and EOP Programs.• The Cal States, University
of California campuses,
community colleges, and
many private colleges
offer fabulous summer
programs to prepare you
for college as well as
programs to support you
through college.
• Financial aid usually
covers Summer Bridge,
while EOP programs are
free.

7. Attend the Earliest
Orientation Possible
• At orientation, you
get to sign up for
classes, meet
advisors, and plan
your first year.

8. Apply for Additional
Scholarships
• There is never too
much money to pay for
college. LAUSD and
UTLA offer many
scholarships.
• Extra money can pay
for a new computer.
• Southwest Airlines has
scholarships for plane
rides and Amtrak has
scholarships for train
rides.

9. Begin Researching Clubs and
Activities
• College is fun. Make
friends and join
communities.
• There are
extracurricular
activities, sports, arts
groups, community
service organizations,
and academic groups.
• Research these over
the summer and plan
to join up the first or
second week of school.

10. If You Must Work, Work on
Campus
• Working is often
necessary.
• But try to get a job on
campus that helps
advance your career.
• Professors and
departments need
workers, so do libraries
and admissions offices.
These jobs can help
prepare you for a
career.

11. Get to Know Your Professors
• Professors like me
offer office hours,
and we are often
lonely, so visit us.
• We will help you with
assignments, mentor
you, and help
connect you with
others interested in
your academic areas.

12. Include Your Family
• Include your family
Plan for your family
to attend parent
meeting and to visit
in October if you go
away. Colleges have
freshman college
weekends. Share
positive news. Don’t
complain. Don’t
make them worry.

13. Enjoy Yourself: College Is Fun

14. Goals For Presentation
•Write down three college readiness
goals you will follow.
•Write down two gnawing questions
you have about college.

15. Want More Information?
Contact Dr. Joseph

16. College Success Tips
for Current High
School Seniors
Rebecca Joseph, PhD
Cal State LA
getmetocollege@gmail.com