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EPHRATA HIGH SCHOOL

We are unified in bridging KIDS and their LEARNING

Sophomore Resources

Four students walk away from the camera, with the word 'SOPHOMORES' visible on the floor.

Laina Mitchell wearing a yellow checkered shirt.

Laina Mitchell

Sophomore Class Counselor

(509) 754-5285

Schedule an Appointment

 

Sophomore Goals

The earlier you start the college admission process, the better. All four years of high school count in the college admissions process. It's not just the last two.

Here are some college prep goals:

  • You're just a year away from the most critical year for college prep - your junior year. Get ahead of the rush by seeking help with grade improvements (if needed) and start planning for a challenging junior year course load. 

    By junior year, colleges will expect you to be enrolled in more challenging advanced or AP courses. You need to be on a more solid academic footing before taking on more rigorous classes next year. Make it your goal to keep your grades up or to seek improvement where grades are weak. Talk to your counselor to make a plan that works for you.

  • Now that you're a Sophomore, you may have been involved with several activities at school. Take some time to evaluate your impact and time commitment to each activity. Are you spending enough time developing your true interests or are you spending too much time on some and not enough on others? Are there activities that have lost their importance to you or others you'd like to try? Make it your goal to drop any extracurricular activities that aren't really compelling for your and pick up one or two that you'd really like to try.

    Remember: Colleges value depth over breadth. Don't take on new activities just to lengthen your resume.

  • Starting test prep early can help you have the best chance of reaching your goal scores and reduce stressed caused by too much testing at once. The earlier you start, the better - even if it's just becoming more familiar with tests through a diagnostic test.

    Stat thinking about ACT or SAT test prep. Make it a goal to take a full-length practice test of both the ACT and SAT to determine which test is the best fit for you. Once that's decided, make  test prep plan and establish testing timelines with your counselor to find the best prep for you. Start prepping so that by the fall of your junior year you're ready to sit for the real thing.

Sophomore Checklists

 

 

My plan beyond high school is to:_____________________________________

    • Challenge Yourself & Monitor Grades

    Take challenging courses and track your grades on Skyward routinely. Keeping your grades up will give you more options with regards to college and scholarship opportunities.

    • Get Involved

    Check announcements and the EHS website daily for updates and upcoming events and get involved! Participate in school activities - sports, clubs, volunteer, etc. or community based organizations or community service projects.

    • Be Informed

    Join us on social media! Instagram: @ehscounselingcenter or EHS Facebook

    • Research Interests

    Begin researching interesting careers and post-secondary schools (colleges) using Schoolinks.Use Schoolinks to research careers, education, employment trends are more.

    • Attend college presentations at EHS

    See the counseling office for dates and schools.

    • College & Career Fair

    Plan to attend the College & Career Fair to learn more about two-year and four-year college admissions and programs, trade / technical programs, military options are more. 

    • College Bound Scholarship

    Review the College Bound Scholarship pledge requirements (if applicable). This is a scholarship opportunity that you must have signed up for by the end of your eighth grade year. If you have any questions, Schedule a Meeting with Mr. Mills.

    • Student Employment

    Get a summer job to begin saving money for college/technical school as well as gain skills and references to put on a resume.

    • High School and Beyond Plan (HSBP) – Schoolinks

    Keep working on your High School and Beyond Plan. The HSBP is a graduation requirement! The activities you will do on Schoolinks, through Advisory and through classroom presentations will become part of your HSBP. These will make up your "digital portfolio."

  • Continue researching careers and colleges on Schoolinks. Get an idea of what requirements you will need to be able to meet in order to pursue the career and/or college you are interested in once you graduate high school.

    • Research Scholarships

    Start looking into possible scholarships for which you may be eligible and can apply. Check out the Scholarship Page on our website.

    • Resume

    Create and / or update your activities resume.

    • Review Your Transcript

    Make sure you're on track for graduation, scholarships, and college admission. You should have between 12.0 and 14.0 credits at the end of our Sophomore year to be on track as a Junior.

    • Schedule Classes for Junior Year

    Schedule a Meeting if necessary to review missing credits and to explore options to retrieve credits if needed.

    • Foreign Language Class

    Consider taking Spanish if planning to go to a four-year college after high school.

    • College in the High School (CIH)

    Consider taking College in the High School (CIH) classes. You can earn high school and college credit through these courses. Check out the EHS Course Catalog for additional information.

    • College & Career Fair

    Attend the College and Career Fair with your parents/guardians.

    • College Visits

    Plan college visits for summer.

    • Student Employment

    Get a summer job to begin saving money for college/technical school as well as gain skills and references to put on a resume.

    • Community Service

    Look for opportunities to participate in community service projects.

Counseling Resources & Support

Suicide Prevention Crisis Lifeline - Call or Text 988

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