Maintain good grades throughout your high school career.
Getting accepted into the college or university of your choice can seem like a daunting task. Early planning in your first years of high school can make the task simpler, leaving less to stress over as application deadlines loom. Stay organized, plan ahead and ask for help from your school's guidance counselors and administrators, who can offer tips on research and apply to your top university choices.
Grades and Test Scores
Good grades are necessary to get into a good college or university. However, it is also important that you push yourself academically, according to CollegeView.com, which states that lower grades in advanced classes are often more preferable to admissions officers than perfect grades in easy classes. Only choose advanced courses in subjects that interest you, or that will be important to your future area of study, if you have already chosen one, warns CollegeView.com. Keep your grades consistent throughout high school, and do not wait until the last minute to raise your GPA. College admissions officers also will look at scores for standardized tests that you have taken, but these scores should not determine your admission; rather, they provide additional insight into your high school academic record.
Extracurricular Activities
The activities you pursue outside school are often just as important as what happens inside the classroom, according to CollegeView.com. Join clubs, play sports and take part in school activities. Get involved in activities you enjoy -- play in the school band, sing in the choir or join the cheerleading squad. Choose activities you truly enjoy; do not take part in extracurricular activities merely to look good on college applications. Use extracurricular activities to show college administrators who you are and what you love. If you work while in high school, you should also make note of this in your application. College admissions advisers will look favorably on students who can multitask while still earning good grades.
Make Connections
Good references and letters of recommendation from teachers who know you and value your work can make all the difference when applying to college. Ask potential references if they feel comfortable writing a strong and positive recommendation for you. Choose teachers that you formed a bond with and who know your work and talents well. "U.S. News and World Report" suggests choosing references who can offer insight about you beyond academics.
Your Online Persona
"U.S. News and World Report" recommends that hopeful college applicants watch what they share online. Check your blogs and social networking sites for embarrassing or incriminating pictures or other personal information. Delete anything you would not wish share with college administrators, and ask your friends to do the same if they share pictures or information concerning you on the Internet.
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