1. Plan your course load with the furture in mind. Take the most challenging courses you can handle.
2. Investigate extracurricular activities such as sports, student council, yearbook, clubs, music, drama and community organizations. After a time, focus on one or two. Begin keeping a record of your activities,awards, and positions.
3. Discuss academic and social concerns with your IB counselor or the IB coodinator.

1. Take the PSAT in October. Many schools don't require the test, which measures verbal and mathematical skills, until your junior year. But taking it twice usually results in a higher score the second time. Plus, the national-ranking statistics give you an idea of where you stand academically.
2. Complete as many of the Texas graduation requirements as possible by the end of your sophomore year.
3. Consider seeking a leadership position in your extracurricular activities.

1. Take the PSAT in October. A good score can lead to a prestigious National Merit Scholarship.
2. Take the SAT and ACT in the spring.
3. Take one or two IB SL exams in May. Most colleges give credit for a score of 4 (on a 1-7 scale).
4. Start to investigate colleges. Make use of the college center in the counseling area. Attend college fairs and college nights.
5. Start a college file. Write to college admissions offices to request information. Ask about their credit policy for International Baccalaureate courses. Organize and keep all information you receive from colleges.
6. Visit a few colleges to get the feel of life on the campus.
7. In the spring, ask favorite teachers to write letters of recommendation. Many teacher prefer to write recommendations during the less stressful summer months.
8. Plan your senior schedule, making sure you have met all of the Texas requirements for graduation as well as the requirements for the IB Diploma.
Do not be tempted to slack off your senior year, even if you have already been accepted to a college. Many colleges make their early decisions dependent on the student's final transcript.
9. Use the summer to research and write the first draft of your IB extended essay.

1. Retake the SAT and/or ACT in early fall.
2. If possible, visit colleges of interest.
3. Narrow your list to four to six schools and apply for early decision. Mail application, financial-aid and scholarship forms. Ask your counselor to mail copies of your high school transcript to each school.
4. If you have not done so, ask teachers to send letters of recommendation. Select teachers who know you quite well and can write letters giving specific information about you.
5. Narrow your choice to one school. Send letters refusing other offers of admission. Send deposit and letter of acceptance.
Find out registration and billing dates and confirm housing details.
6. Provide the IB coordinator with the name and address of the college you have selected. Your IB transcript will be sent electronically.
7. Concentrate on scoring the highest score you can on your IB exams.
8. IB candidates who earn the diploma automatically receive 24 credits to any Texas university.