Seminary Attendance

Attend seminary. It is the most important course you can take in high school. Seminary attendance, beginning in the 9th grade, is strongly encouraged by all of the admissions offices at Church colleges and universities. Seminary will give you gospel knowledge and insights that will be invaluable in college and beyond. Attending seminary will also help to prepare you for the secular and religious study you will encounter in college and at institutes of religion.

Academic Preparation

Recommended High School Courses

High school students should enroll in college preparatory classes as freshmen and continue to take them through the senior year. To be most prepared for the ACT and SAT exams and for college-level work, it is recommended that high school class schedules include the following:

• 4+ years of mathematics
• 4+ years of English or literature
• 2-3 years of laboratory science
• 2 years of history or government
• 2+ years of foreign language

AP/IB Classes

We strongly encourage you to enroll in Advanced Placement (AP) or International Baccalaureate (IB) classes where available. Students who take these courses will receive extra consideration in the admissions process when applying to any CES school and will also receive college credit based on AP and IB end-of-year test scores. Research has shown that students who take these college prep courses are better prepared for the rigors of college.

Remember to do your very best in all your classes at school. Your grades are not only a reflection of your level of knowledge, but they also show colleges the amount of effort you are willing to put into schoolwork.

Extracurricular Activities

Spend your time wisely. Find activities outside of school that will help you to grow and build on your interests. Get involved in a variety of services opportunities, athletics, work, clubs, organizations, and leadership. Many college admission offices give special consideration to students who have played a key role in activities outside of class.

Financial Preparation

Begin developing a plan to pay for college. It is not too early to begin planning to pay for college. Learn about the costs of college attendance and begin developing a financial plan with those who will be involved in paying for your education.

Learn more about financing college.