9th Grade

Students

• Visit a school counselor in the guidance office to learn what resources are available and to get some tips and ideas on what courses you might want to take in high school.
• Take challenging and fun courses which will later satisfy USNH college/university admissions requirements, such as algebra I or geometry, college prep English, and a foreign language.
• Aim for top grades in all of your classes. Although sometimes it may seem hard, focusing on your class work and homework helps to develop the study skills you’ll need in college.
• Check with your math teacher to see if your school participates in the Mathematics Diagnostic Testing Project, a readiness assessment test that determines your math level.
• Take elective courses that interest you and also will meet college/university admissions requirements, such as music, art, theater, or foreign language.
• Look into extracurricular activities at school as well as community service opportunities—colleges like students who are active in and out of the classroom.
• Check with your guidance office to see if “College Times” from the College Board is available to assist you with planning and preparing for college.
• Begin visiting www.collegeboard.com/plan for advice on how to be successful in high school and to obtain information on college planning.

Families

• See “What Classes Do I Need to Take?” to help your student plan her/his four-year high school curriculum, so she/he will be eligible for college upon graduation.
• Attend back-to-school nights and meet with school counselors and teachers to get information about which courses your student needs to take that best prepare her/him for college admission.
• Take your student to athletic events, cultural events, or other activities at a local college to expose her/him to a campus environment.
• Start or continue saving for college. Even a few dollars a week will impress upon your student the importance of making a commitment to get a college education. Visit www.fidelity.com/unique to find out about New Hampshire’s “UNIQUE College Investing Plan” managed by Fidelity Investments.
• Continue to stay involved in your student’s homework and progress in school by checking her/his work on a daily basis.

What Classes Do I Need to Take?

Everyone who wants to enter a USNH college/university as a freshman should take these classes in high school. Try to earn top grades in your courses, but make sure that you earn at least a C grade. Remember, you want to keep up a good overall grade point average (GPA).

• English : 4 years of college preparatory English composition and literature (take one each year).
• Math : 3 years (4 years is recommended), including algebra I, geometry, algebra II, or higher mathematics (take one each year).
• History and Social Science : 2 years, including 1 year of US history (or 1 semester of US history and 1 semester of civics or American government) and 1 year of social studies.
• Laboratory Science : 2 years, including 1 biological science and 1 physical science.
• Language (other than English) : 2 years of the same language (American Sign Language is applicable).
• Visual and Performing Arts : 1 year of dance, drama, theater, music, or visual art.
• College Prep Elective : 1 additional year of any college prep subject.

Luckily you have plenty of time to complete these classes if you start planning early. Don’t get worried if you feel you are behind—check with your school counselor and she/he can give you a hand.