Summer break is a perfect opportunity for students to gain experience through paid or volunteer jobs, internships and other summer activities — pursuits that can also demonstrate a student’s sense of responsibility to college admission officers. 1. Follow a passion Ask yourself, “If you could do anything this summer, what would it be?” For example, a student who enjoys the outdoors and hiking could look into working at a summer camp or national park. 2.…
There’s a lot to consider when taking pre-college exams. Reference this material for your exam questions. Advanced Placement Exams You should consider taking Advanced Placement Exams or CLEP tests in your Junior and Senior years. This allows you to test out of some college courses that can save you time and money. The exams are administered each year in the Spring with some preparation required prior to the exam. Check with your school for…
11th Grade: College Planning Timeline This is a key year in the college planning process because you’ll be taking standardized tests, narrowing down your college list, and learning more about financial aid. In addition, you’ll need to stay involved in your high school courses and activities. ________________________________________________________________________________________________ Fall Stay on track with your classes and grades. Meet with your counselor to see what you still need to take. Check on your class rank and your…
I’ve been out of high school for a few years now, and even now I’m watching my younger friends prepare for taking the PSAT and the SAT. I’m having flashbacks to participating in after-school clubs and passing by my classmates huddled in corners in the library, reviewing vocabulary flashcards and scouring their prep textbooks for new material to study. Back in high school, I figured I was taking my school work just as seriously as…
When applying to colleges, it is important to start the process early. It may seem like there is plenty of time to complete applications, but it is best to not procrastinate. When I applied to college five years ago, I did the early action route. I was accepted to some of my choices by the middle of my senior year. Because I did early action, one of my choices, (and the school I actually attended)…
In competitive admissions pools, where thousands of applicants have strong academic credentials and a laundry list of extracurricular activities, well-written personal essays can mean the difference between getting accepted, waitlisted or outright rejected. Your essays are a chance to go beyond the raw numbers like GPAs or test scores and show admissions counselors how particular experiences have shaped the passions, beliefs and goals you’ll bring to a campus community. But they also present an opportunity…
The critical decisions students make during their junior year could have a major impact on the next five years of their life— and long beyond. This is the year students start narrowing their lists of colleges and potential academic paths. This is the last full year of grades that college admissions officers will review. Whatever college you plan to attend, a clear strategy will guide you toward your destination. Here are ten tips from the…
Four years ago, I was a senior in high school with no idea what path to go down next. Guidance Counselors were there for consulting, but I didn’t utilize the resources available to me. My parents didn’t go to college, so I was on my own during the planning process. I didn’t understand the importance of the services provided by the guidance counselors at my high school. As a senior in college about to graduate…
As junior year comes to a close, high school students tend to feel overwhelmed by the college planning process. To utilize your time wisely over April vacation week, try to get ahead on your research and prepare your next steps for summer break. Come senior year, you will be thanking yourself for starting early. Here are some tips on how to use your time efficiently over April vacation: Prepare a challenging schedule for senior year.…
Start researching schools you’re interested in If you already have a list of schools generated, that’s great. If not, you should begin working on that immediately. Once you have your list, start asking more specific questions, such as: What is the student-to-teacher ratio of the university’s introductory level courses? At the end of their freshman year, how many students transfer or drop out? What is the quality of the professors (prior work experience, availability to…
