Preparing for college
It is never too early
Although entrance exam scores are taken into consideration when you apply, many colleges consider your high school record to be more important because it gives a picture of your work over several years instead of just one day.
Don't wait until you're a senior to start thinking about college. Work hard at getting good grades throughout high school. During your junior year, attend as many college fairs as you can. Start thinking about what's important to you in a college, and look at web sites and collect brochures from colleges that interest you.
Some universities look for an upward trend in your high school grades. Many colleges look not only at grades, but also at the difficulty of courses taken. The more honors or Advanced Placement courses a student takes, the better. But if you're not an honors student, don't worry. There's still a college for you.
| Institution Type | Tuition and Fees | Books and Supplies | Room and Board | Transportation | Personal | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Private College | $17,392 | $961 | $5,846 | $1,186 | $1,524 | $26,909 |
| Public University | $5,732 | $1,052 | $7,004 | $1,706 | $2,000 | $17,494 |
| Community College | $1,638 | $1,117 | $5,695 | $1,799 | $1,796 | $12,045 |
| Technical College | $2,806 | $920 | $5,872 | $1,525 | $1,442 | $12,565 |
| University of North Texas | $6,680 | $1,210 | $6,160 | $1,860 | $1,780 | $17,690 |
Source: CollegeForTexans.com, based on average costs for dependent students living off campus who enroll in 15 hours in both fall and spring semesters.
Plan ahead
You probably have a counselor at your high school to guide you in selecting courses that will prepare you for college, but here are some basics you should take:
- English: 4 credits/years (English I-IV)
- Mathematics: 4 credits (Algebra I, Geometry, Algebra II and Precalculus)
- Sciences: 3 credits (to be selected from Biology, Chemistry or Physics)
- Social Sciences: 4 credits (World Geography, World History Studies, U.S. Government and Economics, and U.S. History)
- Foreign Language: 3 credits (Levels I-III proficiency in the same language)
You should also take computer courses or be able to demonstrate proficiency.
Students who might be tempted to take it easy academically during their senior year should be aware that some colleges check for that and look unfavorably on students who start to coast once they send in their college applications.
Some college admissions offices also consider a student's involvement in high school activities, community service, fine arts, athletics and other pursuits, preferring to admit wellrounded individuals.
In addition to the high school credits listed earlier, UNT and other state universities encourage you to take Health: 1/2 credit minimum; Fine Arts: 1 credit; Physical Education: 1 1/2 credits; Computer Science: 0-1 credit (demonstrated proficiency at Level I); and Electives: 2 1/2 credits.