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This page is designed to help students and parents navigate planning for college. We encourage 8th-12th grade students and parents to review the page regularly as we will update resources as they change or become available. 

 

Preparing for College

It is never too early to begin college preparation, although for the purposes of high school and graduation- college prep officially begins when students begin taking high school credit courses. At Silliman, this begins in the 8th grade. 

College admissions are generally based on two large factors- ACT score and GPA (grade point average)- while other smaller factors such as extra-curricular activities, school/community service, and other special interests or talents may also be included in admission decisions. 

We encourage students as young as 8th and 9th grade to begin exploring potential colleges or universities, and reviewing their admission requirements. This can help the student make a solid plan for moving through four years of high school and preparing for the college admissions process. 

Review the resources below for tips on college preparation.

Taking the ACT

The ACT is a standardized test used for college admissions. All colleges and universities, as well as most scholarships, have a minimum ACT score requirement. For example, to qualify for the Louisiana TOPS scholarship program to a 4-year post-secondary school, a student must score at least a 20 on the ACT. 

At Silliman, ACT preparation begins officially in the 8th grade as we begin to offer the Pre-ACT test to 8th, 9th, and 10th graders. 
The Pre-ACT is designed to give students exposure to ACT-style questions as well as provide a predictive score for a student's possible future score on the actual ACT. Beginning in the spring of 10th grade, Silliman students have the opportunity to take the ACT on campus. Campus testing dates are offered in October and March every year. 

While we only offer the test twice a year, there are typically seven national testing dates year-round in which students may register to take the ACT at another local school. Students are encouraged to take the ACT as many times as possible, and to start early! Colleges and universities use the highest score (or combination of the highest individual scores)- so a lower score does not hurt a student. 

Read more on the ACT from Princeton Review.

Achieving success on the ACT requires a solid level of content knowledge as well as well-trained test-taking skills. Silliman students in grades 9-12 will be exposed to ACT prep within their core courses. The Silliman test-prep program is designed using ACT best-practices and materials from reputable test-prep sources. Test prep will occur on a set calendar and will be targeted towards our campus testing dates in October and March. Silliman may also offer ACT prep workshops at various times throughout the year.

As a reminder, the ACT is required for attendance at most post-secondary schools, including 2-year/vocational programs and 4-year schools. 

Additional ACT Test Prep Materials can be found at the links below:

ACT Prep

Kaplan ACT Prep

Varsity Tutors Test Prep

 

Class Selection & Dual Enrollment

Silliman only offers a college preparatory curriculum. This means that Silliman graduates have the course requirements needed to gain admission to any 4-year college or university. 

9th and 10th graders take a pre-set course schedule of core courses (English, Math, Science, and Social Studies) and electives that are required by the State of Louisiana for graduation. 

Beginning in 11th grade, students may opt to take additional school electives or enroll in Dual Enrollment courses. Dual Enrollment at Silliman is offered through Southeastern Louisiana University. In the 2025-2026 school year, we will offer Dual Enrollment credit in English, College Algebra, College Trig, Western Civilization (I and II), Psychology, and Sociology for a total of 21 credit hours. 

While many colleges and universities accept Dual Enrollment credit as transfer credit, it is important to review the admissions and course transfer requirements of a student's college of interest. 
 

The College Application Process

The first step in applying to college is selecting a school. There are many considerations when choosing a post-secondary institution. Some things to consider include- chosen program of study, size of the school, location, career/networking options, and cost. For more information on school selection, click HERE.

As students review potential schools, it is important to pay attention to the Admissions pages. While admission requirements and deadlines do sometimes change from year to year, reviewing admissions pages can provide a general idea of the needed GPA, ACT scores, and other application requirements for schools of interest. This should be done as early as 9th or 10th grade. Early preparation may help guide a student's high school path.

During the junior year (11th grade), students should begin actively looking for concrete admissions requirements and dates for schools. Many schools now open applications in August for the following year. Schools have differing deadlines for early admission, scholarship consideration, and housing. Each school's application process is different, so it is extremely important to understand the process for each school. 

Best Colleges provides easy tips for successfully navigating the application process. 

To complete an application, students should have a copy of their high school transcript (from school office), their highest ACT scores, and a record of extracurricular (athletic and academic) activities, awards, and service. Students should also be prepared to write a personal statement and/or respond to a series of essay-style questions. Silliman faculty are more than happy to assist/proof these admissions essays for our students.
Many applications require letters of recommendation. We encourage students (not parents) to approach school faculty and staff to request letters of recommendation well ahead of the due date. 

Admissions page links for regional schools can be found at the bottom of this page.

Paying for College

For most students cost is one of the most significant factors in choosing a school. 
The TOPS  program provides money towards tuition at any Louisiana school (for Louisiana residents) if requirements are met. If you ask any parent of a recent college student, however, TOPS does not come close to covering the full cost of attendance. Aside from tuition there are additional school-imposed fees, books, and housing. Many 4-year colleges are now requiring first-year students to live on campus unless they live at home with their parents within commuting distance. The cost of on-campus housing and meal plans can be significant, again highlighting the need to research these costs early. 

There are many opportunities for additional funding out there in the form of both scholarships and grants, however this is also an area where early knowledge is key. Understanding the criteria for scholarships from an early age can ensure a student stays on academic track to give him or herself the best chance at success. Local scholarship opportunities will be sent to seniors via email throughout the year as they become available. 

Students who wish to attend a post-secondary school must complete the FAFSA- Free Application for  Federal Student Aid. This form is required to receive TOPS, and is often an admission/scholarship requirement for colleges and universities. The FAFSA typically opens in the fall prior to the fall of entry (fall of the senior year), and must be completed by June 30th of the year of graduation. FAFSA deadline information can be found HERE.

Additional Financial Aid Resources:

Louisiana Office of Student Financial Aid (LOSFA) Scholarship and Grant information

Student Aid.Gov- Finding and Applying for Scholarships