When and how should students prepare for college? This is one of the biggest questions students face during high school. Are students doing enough to enter college and adapt to their new life?
TCS students should start preparing for college before 12th grade.
The question of when to begin preparing for college causes stress for many high schoolers who are unsure of how to plan for their future. Some believe college preparation begins when applications open in senior year, but successful students know it starts much earlier. Building strong habits, joining meaningful activities, and understanding personal goals are essential for college readiness. At The Columbus School (TCS), students and counselors agree that preparation goes beyond grades—it’s about developing responsibility, curiosity, and balance long before senior year arrives.
Students should begin preparing for college before 12th grade by developing good study habits, participating in meaningful extracurriculars, and maintaining balance between academics and personal life. Early preparation builds the foundation for success both in college and beyond.
Gabriel Ospina, an eleventh-grade student and TCS soccer player, shares his personal experience: “I would say since sixth grade. I know it’s a lot of time ago, but the habits that you build since middle school will actually help you in high school. Some people say, no, you need to start preparing since ninth grade because that’s where colleges see your grades and academic performance, but the skills you use in high school you need to start building them in middle school.” Gabriel highlights the importance of gaining experience early and building strong study habits. He also mentions that many people assume your college journey starts in high school, but the foundation is really constructed in middle school.
On the other hand, Lina González, the TCS college counselor, has a perspective grounded in the educational system: “I would say it is not necessary to know what you want to study, but it is necessary to start getting ready for college. How? Being a good student—like having a good GPA. That is not the only thing, but it is important. And also taking different opportunities like extracurriculars, volunteering, exchange programs, APs. So I would say ninth grade would be a good time to start thinking about university.” Lina reflects that ninth graders should begin preparing not only by maintaining strong grades but by taking AP classes, joining extracurricular activities, and building a résumé that shows initiative and depth. She emphasizes that having a good GPA matters, but it must be complemented with involvement and interests.
Even though Gabriel and Lina have different perspectives, their ideas complement each other and highlight the importance of preparing early for college.
Not every student needs to focus heavily on early college preparation, as too much pressure can cause stress and overshadow alternative paths such as trade schools or technical careers. This viewpoint has gained more attention among international students as people begin to see college as an option, not the only path to success. According to the Symbol Training Institute, a vocational training organization, some students experience anxiety with college prep because their strengths and learning styles align more with apprenticeships or vocational training. Although this is a valid point of view, students should still take time to explore college deeply in order to make an informed decision about which path to follow.
González explains the first steps to preparing for college and evaluating alternatives: “I would say GPA—like having a good GPA, taking extracurriculars, not only many, but extracurriculars that are aligned with your interests. Even if you don’t know what to study, you have some interests.”
Once students decide they are going to college, many don’t know where to begin. Lina offers a brief step-by-step guide on how to start building a strong portfolio for universities: maintain a solid GPA, join meaningful extracurriculars, and pursue activities that show commitment. Gabriel supports these ideas with his own experiences: “I have been in the school soccer team, which I think is a really important activity to have. Also, I have enrolled in quite a lot of APs. In tenth grade I was in Seminar, Human Geography, and Spanish, and now in eleventh grade I am in AP Lang, AP Calc AB, and AP Physics.” Lina also adds that it is very important to have a personal project: “For me, it is very important to have a personal project—not only by yourself, but maybe in a group or participating in a club here in school because it shows universities that you are preparing yourself since early years for college.” Gabriel’s advice for students currently preparing is simple but powerful: “I would say to always keep a balance, also socially, like with your friends.”
College might seem far away, but preparation matters. Getting ready for college doesn’t start in eleventh grade—it is something built gradually through middle school and early high school. It is important to think about your future path, and if the road you choose is college, then it’s essential to prepare. Feel free to contact Lina González to be more informed and start building your future.