How to be college-ready

Lana Perdomo

March 30, 2026

College is the next chapter in your story. And there is so much to prepare, no matter your age. But don’t panic, everything you need to know is listed below:

Classes and Credits:

To graduate from Delta High School, you need three math credits, three science credits, three history credits, four English credits, and 12 elective credits. There are three classes that are considered concurrent enrollment and are offered through Colorado Northwestern Community College. If students get an A, B, or C at the end of the course, they earn college credit. There are also 16 Advanced Placement (AP) courses available for students to take each school year, with a final exam in May. If they get a 3, 4, or 5 on the exam, students can earn college credit.

Scholarships:

Scholarships help with the burden of college. Money is a big reason why students are not applying to college or dropping out in the first year. Two-thirds of students drop out of college due to financial reasons. Forty-nine percent of students don’t apply to or enroll in college and cite cost as the reason. But there is no need to stop yourself from any of that because scholarships can help with financial issues. Although there are deadlines for most scholarships, there will be times when you are reminded about these deadlines. Your counselors at Delta High School, Shawna Magtutu and Holly Teyler-Crowder, will visit senior classrooms to encourage seniors to apply. They will assist you with the scholarship process and remind you of deadlines. Scholarships go all year. You can start applying in September. The really competitive ones are due September through December. Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) is a document that individuals can fill out when they are looking for ways to pay for trade school, two-year college, or four-year college/university. information, and tax information from the previous year goes onto the document. With that information, any student loans, grants, and some scholarships are awarded to help cover the cost. You can visit the website at https://studentaid.gov/h/apply-for-aid/fafsa

What To Prepare?:

It is never too early to start preparing for college. There are so many things freshman and sophomores can also do to prepare. When selecting classes, pick ones that you are interested in, but also ones that are new to you. Take a wide variety of classes. Explore to find possible interests, take the right amount, and don’t slack off. Take school seriously. Some kids don’t think grades and credits are very important for their first two years, and then they scramble with their last two years of high school, and say that they should have put in a little bit more effort. Another thing to consider is getting involved. Join a club, an extracurricular activity, a sport, or something within the community. It helps students learn to be part of a team. Community service is a great way to get colleges to notice you. It shows that you know how to work hard. Even just a couple of hours will boost you. The more, the better. Another thing that may help you stand out are internships. They can help you understand the way the world works or the way people work together. It can introduce you to an experience you may have in the future. There is an internship coordinator for the delta district. Her name is Christi Jones. She can help students find a business that will take a student in for an internship.

Time To Choose:

The most important part of thinking about college is picking the best one for you. When applying, there are a couple of different factors that go into choosing the right college for you. Pick a place that offers the degree you want to study. Pick a place that you would be comfortable at for four or more years. Tour multiple colleges to find one that meets your needs and wants. You can tour a college at any time of the year. Delta High School gives Senior students up to three school-excused days for students to tour colleges.

More Information:

There are plenty of people to talk to and websites to look at for extra help or information about college