10th Grade Resource

College Exploration Workbook

Start discovering what matters to you in a college. It's never too early to explore—and there's no pressure to decide!

Why Explore Colleges in 10th Grade?

Sophomore year is the perfect time to start exploring colleges—not to make decisions, but to understand what's out there and what appeals to you.

No Pressure

You're just exploring! Your preferences will evolve as you learn more.

Inform Decisions

Understanding colleges helps you choose the right classes and activities.

Build Excitement

Knowing what's possible makes the hard work feel worth it!

Part 1: Career & Major Interests

What careers spark your curiosity? Don't worry about being certain—just explore what sounds interesting!

Add some career interests to get started!

Part 2: What Matters to You?

Think about what kind of college environment would help you thrive. Rate each factor:

Small (<5k), Medium (5-15k), Large (15k+)

Northeast, South, Midwest, West, International

Urban, Suburban, Rural

Liberal Arts, STEM, Business, Arts, etc.

Greek life, Sports, Arts, Research, etc.

Budget considerations and financial aid needs

Part 3: Colleges to Research

Start a list of colleges that sound interesting. Don't worry about categorizing them perfectly—that comes later!

Add a College to Research

No colleges added yet. Start building your research list!

Research Tips for Sophomores

Where to Research

  • College websites (virtual tours!)
  • YouTube campus tours
  • College search engines (BigFuture, Niche)
  • Talk to older students and alumni

What to Look For

  • Programs in your areas of interest
  • Campus culture and student life
  • Admission requirements (GPA, test scores)
  • Cost and financial aid availability

Remember: Your preferences will change! The goal isn't to find "the one" perfect college—it's to understand what options exist and what appeals to you.

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