No matter your education or career goals, it's helpful to begin preparing early. Sometimes, depending on what you want to do, you may even need to prepare as early as high school or junior high.

Need help catching up?

If you're worried you haven't given the matter any thought, it's not too late.

• Check out our financial aid and college planning calendar.
• Assess your interests and explore occupations.
  
• Are you a minority student?
  
• Are you ready for college?
• Taking entrance exams. 

Do you already have a good idea of what you want?

Perhaps you can start selecting schools to apply to.