3 things your high schooler can do today to begin their college application process

The college process is daunting, and it can be difficult to know where (and when!) to begin. The DSST College Success team encourages families and students to start thinking about the college applications early in their high school career to ensure that you are set up to succeed when Junior and Senior years roll around.

Our team put together list of a few simple things that your student can begin to do this summer in preparation for their college search:

1. Apply for scholarships

Families and students consistently tell us that financial aid has the biggest impact on their college decisions, and most seniors share that they wished they would have started the scholarship process sooner. It is never too early to apply for scholarships! Take 5-10 minutes to create free accounts on Raise.me and unigo.com. These are great resources to help students find and apply for scholarships.

2. Explore your community

Most museums and parks in the Greater Denver Area offer free days throughout the year, but summer is a great opportunity to take advantage of these because most happen during the week. Take a look at some of the free days here.

3. Get involved

Whether students help out around the house, volunteer with a community organization, or participate in a camp, the summer is a great opportunity to start developing soft skills and building experience and a resume. Family friends and neighbors could also be great resources in helping students find opportunities to gain some experience outside of school!