• Because of the disparity in age and maturity levels, the majority of American public schools have abandoned the junior high system in favor of the middle school mode
• In preparing for admission to college, American students must construct a detailed plan of scholarship while they are still in high school.
• Students should select classes from a varied palette of courses from among their interests and future academic goals.

Basic college requirements
 
 

• Almost all universities require a standardized series of classes from their potential applicants.
• Four years of English composition and analysis is universally required.
• Three years of post-algebra mathematics, essentially including geometry, trigonometry, and calculus are needed.
• Science classes such as chemistry, physics, and biology are also a must.
• A high-school student needs to take at least two years of a foreign language class while still in high school. Recently, in addition to the staples of Spanish, French, and German, many public schools teach a wide array of languages—now including Chinese, Korean, Russian, and Japanese.
• Bilingual students, usually foreign-born or second-generation students of foreign nationals, may not have to take additional foreign languages to be accepted into a university, although doing so is a perfect opportunity for personal enrichment.

Additional strategies for the aspiring student
 
 

• Extra-curricular activities dramatically increase a student's appeal to a university. There are many activities offered at high schools.
• Many activities revolve around personal and social communications. Examples of these include: school newspapers, yearbooks, debate teams, drama and acting, art and painting clubs, instrumental bands, and student body government.
• Also, high schools usually offer community service and volunteer positions for students who wish to serve their community. Tutoring elementary students, assisting senior citizens, and coordinating food drives are all examples of what students can do in their free time. Not only does this look attractive on a college application, it also builds an immeasurable amount of character in the student. Volunteer work can also make students eligible for scholarships that can pay university tuition.
• Sports is another category that should not be overlooked by the student who wishes to attend the university. While increasing social skills and the ability to work within a team (invaluable university skills, both of them), students may even qualify for athletic scholarships that can pay for most or all of tuition and expenses later in their academic career. It can therefore be financially beneficial for parents to encourage participation in sports and athletics.

The secret weapons of college admission
 
 

• In addition to maintaining a high grade point average (GPA) and involvement in extracurricular activities, students can guarantee their position at a prestigious university by performing well on the SAT, the standard of academic achievement used by colleges throughout North America. Students can begin practicing for the SAT as early as 8^th or 9^th grade. Most students take the SAT in 11^th and 12^th grade. A mediocre score in 11^th grade can be upgraded by the 12^th grade score.
• Another way for a student to distinguish themselves scholastically is for them to enroll in Advanced Placement (AP) classes. These classes are usually weighed more heavily than regular classes, and can enable the student to stand out from the pack, while earning college credit before graduation. AP classes are taught in a variety of disciplines, including calculus, English composition and literature, foreign language, and many more.