--- title: "College Prep: Tips for 9th and 10th Graders" description: Helpful hints for students and parents of ninth and tenth graders to help get ready for the college admission process. image: https://blog.westtown.edu/hubfs/blog%20-%20college.jpg --- [![](https://blog.westtown.edu/hs-fs/file-2454828850-png/Westtown-Feb2015/logo_graphic.png?width=68&height=68&name=logo_graphic.png)](http://www.westtown.edu/page.cfm?p=1) [![](https://blog.westtown.edu/hs-fs/file-2451508821-png/Westtown-Feb2015/logo_text.png) Spirited Quaker education since 1799](http://www.westtown.edu/page.cfm?p=1) # A Well-Lit Path: A Blog from Westtown School ## [College Prep: Tips for 9th and 10th Graders](https://blog.westtown.edu/blog/college-prep-tips-for-9th-and-10th-graders) Posted by [Jessica Smith](https://blog.westtown.edu/blog/author/jessica-smith) on February 25, 2020 - [Tweet](https://twitter.com/share) [*![College Shirt Day 2019](https://blog.westtown.edu/hs-fs/hubfs/blog%20-%20college.jpg?width=325&name=blog%20-%20college.jpg)*](https://www.westtown.edu/page.cfm?p=1001103)   *If you are either a current 9th or 10th grader or the parent of one, it is likely that college prep has or will soon come up in conversations. Realizing this, Westtown School’s Director of College Counseling visited our ninth and tenth-grade students in early February and shared these thoughts about college.* At this point, our recommendations about college are always about how to make the most of high school. We want students to work hard and learn a lot, not just because strong grades look impressive to colleges, but because the learning you gain along the way will make you a better student and a more interesting person. Looking good is nice, but if you go through high school trying to merely look good (for college or anyone else) instead of being your full self, you won't have a very satisfying experience. With that in mind, here are a few points to keep in mind: 1. Anytime I speak to a large group of students, I know some people in the room are working really hard and need to be told it's going to be okay, and they need to remember to take care of themselves, not just their work. Others in the room are enjoying all the time with their friends and activities and need to be reminded to step up and challenge themselves with their studies. Many students are in the middle of these possibilities. Think about what you need to hear and take that message with you. As always, your health and well-being are the first priority. As you think about how to do good work in your classes and contribute to the community, be sure to allow time for family, friends, fun, good eating, deep sleeping, nature, exercise, and downtime. Look out for yourself and your classmates and contact an adult if you're concerned. 2. Yes, your grades count for college. No, you don't need to panic. This is a good time to check in with your teachers and advisors about what you can do to continue strong work or improve your efforts. 3. Stronger grades give you more college options later, especially if you're worried about affording college. The higher your grades, the more likely you are to be admitted and to gain merit aid —free money for being a great student. That said, keep this in balance! Many students are already working very hard, while others could use more motivation. 4. Course selection will start in the next few weeks. If you're earning As and Bs, it might be a good time to think about adding an [advanced course](https://www.westtown.edu/page.cfm?p=1000072) for next year. (If you're currently in tenth grade, you'll have more choices for next year —rising tenth graders (current ninth graders) will have fewer options for advanced courses, which might be math, science, or US History.) Talk with your teachers and advisor to get suggestions about good classes for you. There are many ways to plan your courses, but most often colleges want to see you take the five major subjects (English, math, science, history, language) for all four years. 5. We're a little past halfway through the year. This is a good time to think about what you are doing besides class and sports. Are there activities you want to try? If you're already part of a club, committee, or group, do you want to do more? Do you want to run for a class officer or other leadership position (especially for rising juniors)? We need people who give to the [community](https://www.westtown.edu/page.cfm?p=1000119) in all kinds of ways: formal and informal leadership, center stage and backstage, starting varsity and JV. Think about what you're doing and what you might want to do.  And always reach out to your [college counseling](https://www.westtown.edu/page.cfm?p=570) office if you have any questions. They are there to help you! [![Experience Westtown](https://no-cache.hubspot.com/cta/default/394143/602da05e-b810-436f-9cbd-9d07a954284e.png)](https://cta-redirect.hubspot.com/cta/redirect/394143/602da05e-b810-436f-9cbd-9d07a954284e) Topics: [Raising Resilient, Healthy Teens](https://blog.westtown.edu/blog/topic/raising-resilient-healthy-teens), [Inspiring the Best in Kids](https://blog.westtown.edu/blog/topic/inspiring-the-best-in-kids) ![Jessica Smith](https://blog.westtown.edu/hs-fs/hubfs/Smith%20(1)-340646-edited-977235-edited.jpg?width=300&height=300&name=Smith%20(1)-340646-edited-977235-edited.jpg) #### Written by [Jessica Smith](https://blog.westtown.edu/blog/author/jessica-smith) Jessica Smith is Director of College Counseling at Westtown School. Previously, she served as Associate Director of College Guidance, faculty co-clerk, English teacher, and English department chair at Wilmington Friends School. She attended Mount Holyoke College and earned her M.S.Ed. at the University of Pennsylvania. ### Subscribe to Our Blog ### Recent Posts ### Posts by Topic - [Inspiring the Best in Kids (46)](https://blog.westtown.edu/blog/topic/inspiring-the-best-in-kids) - [Raising Resilient, Healthy Teens (29)](https://blog.westtown.edu/blog/topic/raising-resilient-healthy-teens) - [Help with learning (19)](https://blog.westtown.edu/blog/topic/help-with-learning) - [Communication and Children (18)](https://blog.westtown.edu/blog/topic/communication-and-children) - [Raising Resilient Lower and Middle Schoolers (7)](https://blog.westtown.edu/blog/topic/raising-resilient-lower-and-middle-schoolers) - [sustainability (4)](https://blog.westtown.edu/blog/topic/sustainability) - [Building Self-Esteem in Teens (3)](https://blog.westtown.edu/blog/topic/building-self-esteem-in-teens) - [How to get your teen to talk (3)](https://blog.westtown.edu/blog/topic/how-to-get-your-teen-to-talk) - [How to Pick the Best Independent School in Philly (2)](https://blog.westtown.edu/blog/topic/how-to-pick-the-best-independent-school-in-philly) - [How to manage the mood swings (2)](https://blog.westtown.edu/blog/topic/how-to-manage-the-mood-swings) - [Student Life at Westtown (2)](https://blog.westtown.edu/blog/topic/student-life-at-westtown) - [Westtown Picks (2)](https://blog.westtown.edu/blog/topic/westtown-picks) - [Summer Camps (1)](https://blog.westtown.edu/blog/topic/summer-camps) see all 975 Westtown Road West Chester, PA 19382 610.399.0123 [Contact Us](http://www.westtown.edu/page.cfm?p=498#) - - - - [Apply Now](https://mbp.westtown.edu/SeniorApps/facelets/registration/loginCenter.xhtml?appId=AD) [Make A Gift](http://www.westtown.edu/page.cfm?p=979) Westtown School, a Quaker Pre-K -12th grade co-ed, private, college preparatory day and boarding school, offers a challenging and diverse curriculum that emphasizes critical thinking, collaboration, service and social action. Since 1799, we have been committed to character education and innovation. We inspire and prepare our graduates to become stewards and leaders of a better world. [Apply Now](https://mbp.westtown.edu/SeniorApps/facelets/registration/loginCenter.xhtml?appId=AD) [Make A Gift](http://www.westtown.edu/page.cfm?p=979) Westtown School, a Quaker Pre-K -12th grade co-ed, private, college preparatory day and boarding school, offers a challenging and diverse curriculum that emphasizes critical thinking, collaboration, service and social action. Since 1799, we have been committed to character education and innovation. We inspire and prepare our graduates to become stewards and leaders of a better world. 975 Westtown Road West Chester, PA 19382 610.399.0123 [Contact Us](http://www.westtown.edu/page.cfm?p=498#) - - - - - [powered by finalsite](http://www.finalsite.com/)