SmartAboutCollege

Freshman

Want to go to College?

It's time to get started...saving, studying and planning! Use this checklist to help you stay on track as you get closer to your goal of higher education.

Academic

  • Prepare yourself! Get familiar with the college prep curriculum if you want to enroll in a four-year program in the Montana University System. Outline a four-year course plan with your teacher or counselor.
  • Learn to study! Focus on learning and improving your study habits. (Your grades will be a permanent part of your transcripts.)
  • Get organized! Use a student planner to keep track of class assignments and activities.
  • Start talking! Talk to your parents, teachers, mentors and counselors about your desire to go to college.
  • Get involved! Participate in activities and take electives that interest you. Student government, school newspapers, athletics, school clubs, community service, band or orchestra, dance team and youth groups are all great examples.
  • Promote yourself! Start, or continue, to build a scholarship and academic portfolio that includes items like report cards, test scores, writing samples, activities, art work, honors and awards.
  • Extend yourself! Apply to attend a summer program on a college campus.

College & Career

  • To learn more about careers and what education path you should follow to pursue them, explore the Montana Career Information System (MCIS). Click here to log in.
  • Research careers that match your interests by using free, computer-based tools, like MCIS.
  • Study! Research colleges online (community colleges, colleges of technology, four-year degree colleges.) Visit a campus or take a virtual tour.
  • To find out more about how to get to college, visit KnowHow2GOMontana.org.

Financial

  • Research college costs and develop a savings plan for college with your parents.
  • Attend a workshop on paying for college with your parents.

Minimum Core High School Classes for College Prep

In order to attend a four-year college in Montana, students must complete:

  • Three years of mathematics including algebra I, algebra II and geometry — a senior year of high school math is recommended.
  • Four years of English. Two years of laboratory sciences, including a full year of earth science, biology, chemistry or physics.
  • Three years of social studies, including a full year of global studies (world history or world geography), a full year of American history and an additional year in another social studies field such as government, economics, Indian history, sociology or psychology.
  • Two years of electives such as a foreign language, computer science, visual and performing arts or vocational education.

Rigorous Core High School Classes for College Prep

While successful completion of the minimum core program in high school will likely provide students with admittance into Montana’s four-year colleges, completion of the Rigorous Core program has its own, unique advantages:

  • Students who finish the Rigorous Core program are eligible for a variety of prestigious scholarships, including the Montana University System Honors Scholarship.
  • Some out-of-state colleges require the elements of the Rigorous Core for admission. Students interested in attending out-of-state schools should consult with the Registrar’s Office at the school of their choice about what college prep courses are required for admittance.

In the Rigorous Core program, students must complete the Minimum Core requirements with the following additions:

  • English — In addition to the Minimum Core, a designated college prep or research writing course is recommended.
  • Social Studies — In addition to the Minimum Core, a half year or more of other courses such as psychology or humanities is recommended.
  • Mathematics — In addition to the Minimum Core, a course beyond algebra II or integrated math IV (such as trigonometry, pre-calculus, calculus, computer math or integrated math VI) is required. The student must have a grade of “C” or better in all of the classes.
  • Laboratory Science — Instead of two years of laboratory science as required in Minimum Core, Rigorous Core requires three years of lab science — a full year each of general or earth science, biology, and chemistry or physics.

College Prep Programs

In addition to weighing the advantages and disadvantages of the Minimum and Rigorous Core programs, students who want to get a jumpstart on college should discuss these other options with their school counselors:

  • Dual Credit/Running Start — This program allows high school students to receive both high school and college credit for the same course. Interested students should contact their individual schools to see if they participate in the program, and if so, find out about the details of the program.
  • Early Admission to College — This program allows students, prior to their high school graduation, to be admitted to, and register for, college-level courses if they are academically prepared. Students should contact the colleges in which they are interested to determine their requirements for Early Admission.
  • Tech Prep — This federally funded program allows students to begin earning college credit toward technical or associate degrees while still in high school. Interested students should contact their individual schools to see if they participate in the program, and if so, what the procedures are to enroll.
  • Advanced Placement Tests (AP) — AP testing allows students to earn credit or advanced standing at most of the nation’s colleges and universities, not to mention demonstrate their ambition to learn. For more information on this opportunity, visit CollegeBoard.com.
  • College-Level Examination Program (CLEP) — This program allows students of any age to demonstrate college-level achievement and earn college credit by completing exams in undergraduate college courses. For more information on this opportunity, visit CollegeBoard.com.
  • Jobs for MT Grads — This program allows high school students to spend time observing people working in the career area in which they are interested. This type of firsthand information goes a long way to helping students decide whether a job in that field is right for them. For more information about this program, contact Jobs for Montana Graduates at (406) 444-0978.
  • Montana Digital Academy — Consider the Montana Digital Academy if course selection at your school is limited. You can learn more about the Montana Digital Academy by clicking here: www.montanadigitalacademy.org