Career counselors say admission to college is becoming more competitive each year. So we asked, when should your children start planning for college?

We visited North High School in Eau Claire on Wednesday, where a school counselor told us eighth grade is not too early for kids to start planning for college.

With eighth grade as a starting point, Joe Luginbill has three years of planning already under his belt, last year he took his first practice ACT test.

“After I took the practice ACT it just kind of hit me, I’m gonna be a junior in high school and after my senior year it's off to college. It's time to start thinking about those tough choices I have a little bit of time, but I do need to start thinking about it,” North High School junior Joe Luginbill says.

North High School counselor Dave Reidt says up until this year the practice ACT test was an option for students. But this year that's all changing.

“We've decided as a district that lets make every student have the opportunity to take this, and I think some students who thought they weren't college ready, will be surprised by how well they do,” Reidt says.

Reidt says college planning can start as young as eighth grade when students can sign the Wisconsin Covenant, basically an agreement to do well and maintain a ‘B’ average, which then in turn guarantees students a spot in a Wisconsin state school.

But Reidt adds, his job is to prepare students for whatever secondary plans fit them best.

“When we talk college readiness I’m not just talking about a four year university because I do feel in my heart that there are other options for students, so giving them the readiness whether they want to be a journeyman, or go into the military or go to a technical school, or a 2 or 4 year school,” he says.

Reidt adds having parents play an active role in their child’s education and college plans is important, and can help get students on the right track.

Freshman, sophomores and juniors across the Eau Claire school district will take their first mandatory college prep tests beginning Thursday of this week.

The UW-Eau Claire Director of Career Services advises high school students also work on their study and time management skills before arriving at college.