You Belong at USD

You don’t need to have your future figured out – not even close. Right now, it’s all about discovering what you enjoy, what you’re good at and what makes you curious. Every Coyote starts somewhere, and this is your chance to start figuring out what makes you you.

• Explore what interests you. Join a club, try something new or dive deeper into a subject you enjoy. Something you try now could turn into something you love later —you never know where it might lead.
• Challenge yourself in class. Take courses that help you grow and build confidence. Strong habits now can set you up for success later.
• Build strong habits. Staying organized, managing your time and asking for help are skills that will make everything easier as you move forward.
• Start career conversations. Talk to teachers, family members or mentors about what they do and how they got there. It's a great way to start imagining your own path.

High school is a fresh start, and with it comes new opportunities, new challenges and a lot of unknowns. You don’t need a full plan yet, but this is the perfect time to start exploring what interests you and what might come next.

• Choose strong core classes. Ask your counselor or a teacher what courses you can be taking to prepare you for future options. Building a solid academic foundation now keeps doors open later.
• Get involved. Join activities, teams or groups that genuinely interest you. The things you enjoy now can shape your future in ways you might not expect.
• Explore new opportunities. Talk to your counselor about honors or advanced classes and how to work toward them.
• Start looking into fields that spark your interest. Ask teachers, family members or mentors about their jobs and education. Understanding what excites you can help guide your future course choices.
• Keep track of your progress. Start a list of awards, involvement and accomplishments. You'll appreciate having everything documented when it's time to apply for scholarships and colleges.

Things are starting to feel more real. You don’t need all the answers yet, but this is a great time to start exploring your options and thinking about what your future could look like.

• Have a conversation about your future. Meet with your counselor, mentor or a trusted teacher to talk about college ideas and academic goals. Understanding potential paths can help you choose classes that align with your goals.
• Try a practice exam. Consider taking practice exams or exploring ACT prep tools. Early exposure will help you feel more comfortable and prepared later.
• Start exploring colleges. Browse college websites and tools to see what types of schools interest you. Big or small? Close to home or somewhere new? It’s okay to just explore (don’t forget to explore USD too).
• Use your summer to your advantage. Work, volunteer, attend a camp or take a class. Summer experiences build skills, confidence and stories you’ll use in applications someday.  
• Learn the basics of financial aid. Start understanding the difference between scholarships, grants and loans. Talk to your parents or a trusted adult about opening a savings account for college. The more you know now will make things feel less overwhelming later.

Ready to turn curiosity into clarity? As a junior, you’re starting to figure out what you enjoy, what challenges you and what might not be the right fit. This is your chance to ask bigger questions, explore your options and start shaping a plan for what comes next.

• Start comparing colleges. Use college search tools to explore schools that match your goals, size preference and location. Finding the right fit matters. Discover USD.
• Attend college fairs or info sessions. Meet with college representatives and ask questions. These conversations will help you stand out and clarify what you’re looking for. Questions about USD? Request info.
• Register for the ACT or SAT. Check which tests your colleges of interest require and look into exam prep courses to help you practice. Keep in mind that taking exams early gives you time to retake them if needed.
• Start your scholarship search. Scholarships are a great resource for making your education more affordable.Researching scholarships now will reduce stress later. USD scholarships.
• Learn the basics of financial aid. Understand grants, loans, scholarships and FAFSA. The more you know now, the more confident you’ll feel next year. Visit USD's financial aid page to learn more.
• Enroll in dual credit. Dual credit allows you to earn college credits while still in high school, often at about half the cost of traditional college tuition. It’s a smart way to save money and get a head start on your degree. Explore USD Dual Credit.

You’ve put in the work! Now it’s time to turn your plans into reality. This is where everything comes together: applications, visits, decisions and the exciting step of choosing where you’ll go next.

• Finish strong academically. Your final grades can affect scholarships, honors programs and placement opportunities. Strong performance now can mean more aid and better opportunities later.
• Meet with your counselor and teachers. Talk about remaining courses, dual credit options, recommendation letters and requesting transcripts.
• Enroll in dual credit. Dual credit allows you to earn college credits while still in high school, often at about half the cost of traditional college tuition. It’s a smart way to save money and get a head start on your degree. Explore USD Dual Credit.
• Complete the FAFSA early. Submit and review your FAFSA as soon as it opens. Early filing can increase your access to grants and reduce the amount you may need to borrow.
• Search and apply for scholarships. Keep applying for local and university scholarships. Every scholarship counts and they add up quickly! Don’t forget to check out USD's scholarships.
• Explore careers and programs. Research career paths, earning potential and required education. Knowing what programs or careers interest you can help in making decisions about what college to attend. Check out USD's comprehensive program list.
• Compare your offers carefully. Look at total cost, financial aid packages, scholarships, internship opportunities and job placement outcomes. All of these factors contribute to your future. Learn about resources USD offers for career design.
• Apply carefully and on time. Meet every deadline and double-check your materials so you are fully considered for the colleges you are interested in.  
• Choose experiences that build your resume. Stay involved, take leadership roles or work part-time. Colleges and future employers value extracurriculars. If being involved is a priority for you post-high school, check out USD's student life page.
• Visit campuses. Seeing your future home in person is an important part of picturing yourself somewhere. Take the next step and Visit USD if you haven't already!