Published: April 02, 2007 11:54 am      

Middle school not too early to begin college preparations

KEYSER - When it comes to students preparing for college, it's not too early to start in middle school, according to Keyser High School guidance counselor Carey Kyle.

In middle school, students begin thinking a bit more seriously about possible careers and they begin studying more intensely in the various academic fields.

And it's the daily class work in those various disciplines that helps build a strong work ethic and racks up points when it comes to applying for scholarships and grants, Kyle said.

"You can't underestimate the day-to-day work in the classes," he said. "It's so important and it has a long-term effect on their performance on the SATs."

It's also important, he added, for the student to carry that strong work ethic over into his high school years.

"It's important to start high school and be serious about it," he said.

Middle school students can begin taking classes that will help them fulfill the various academic requirements for attending college. Strong math skills are a key to success in college, as well as solid backgrounds in laboratory sciences, history and geography.

Students are also required to take English classes every year in both middle and high school in order to build skills in reading, grammar, composition and literature - necessary skills no matter what subject they're studying.

In West Virginia, an early start in the required courses will become even more important beginning next year, according to Keyser High counselor Janet Kalbaugh.

"Starting with the graduating class of 2008, students going to a four-year college will see the requirements increase in the state of West Virginia," she said, noting that students must complete four years of English, three social studies classes, at least three lab sciences, one fine arts and two units of the same foreign language in order to be accepted into most colleges.

"Before, language was just recommended; now it is required," she said.

Students are usually required to complete at least through Algebra II, although "not all colleges require Algebra II," she said.

And when should students begin submitting applications to the colleges of their choice?

"Even if they're applying to several schools, they need to start early in their senior year," Kalbaugh said.

Financial aid forms, however, can't be submitted until after Jan. 1 of the student's graduation year.

Kalbaugh said those forms, including the Free Application for Federal Student Aid, often seem an overwhelming task to students and parents alike.

"Most schools will hold workshops in December to help them," she said, noting that the process has been simplified in recent years by allowing applications to be submitted online.

"Actually, the big push now is for everyone to do it online," she said.

The FAFSA includes seven steps that ask about the student, his school plans and financial situation, among other pertinent information.

Once submitted, the student or parents can check on the status of the document, make corrections, or print out the student aid report - all online.

Liz Beavers can be reached at lbeavers@times-news.com.