So you are officially a senior...this is exciting right? Only one more year of high school and then you are off to pursue the major of your choice at hopefully the college of your choosing! Although many students would like the college application process to be over already, you still have many months left. Some of the more important months throughout this process are June, July and August. The summer is a crucial time to prepare, search, and begin to formalize your college application plans. It is definitely not a time to sit around and do nothing. So look at these following tips on ways you can best utilize your summer days to best prepare yourself for the fall when you finally apply to college!
Get Involved: Depending on the selectiveness of the colleges you are applying to, admissions counselors are looking for applicants who have done something positive during their time off. Whether it is traveling, taking a pre-college summer class, volunteering, or working, make sure you are doing something! It looks good on college applications and it is just good to stay active in a positive way!
Continue to visit schools: If you are able to get to college campuses during the school year, that is great, but it is not always possible. Although high school does not begin until September, many colleges start during the last week or two of August. Whether you can go in August, or the other summer months, visiting schools is a vital part of this process. Get to the campus, walk around, ask questions, and imagine if this is the best place for you. Make sure to contact the undergraduate admissions office prior to the visit, to see if they offer an information session or guided tour while you are there.
Begin narrowing down your college list: With many application deadlines beginning in November (some earlier), it is now time to eliminate some colleges from your list. You should end up with about 8-10 colleges on your list; all of which you would love to attend. Make sure to have at least 2-3 colleges that you are certain you will be accepted into, often referred to as safety schools. Safety schools should still be schools that you have investigated and would be happy attending.
Research school specific application guidelines: Colleges differ across the board on application procedures such as how to apply (Common Application or their own), deadlines for regular decision, early action/early decision, priority, and rolling decisions, and application requirements such as SATs, subject tests, and additional supplements. Be sure to have all of the requirements and deadlines organized in one centralized location to reference (i.e. your college list)
Work on your résumé for college: You are able to upload a résumé for many colleges, so you want to be prepared. Try your best to remember everything you have been involved in and accomplished during your time in high school, and get these down on paper in an organized template.
Make your plan for admission testing: You may be satisfied with your SAT and/or ACT scores, which is great! However, many students need to retake these tests in hopes of higher scores. For the SAT, there are testing dates in October, November, and December, which most likely are the latest ones you can take. For the ACT there are testing dates in September, October, and December. Also, if any of your colleges require subject tests (SAT II), remember to sign-up during one of these test dates.
Begin the Common Application starting in August: The Common Application opens August 1st. Feel free to create an account and begin working on the application. There is no need to rush this, but it will be helpful to get familiar with the application and see what other supplements are needed for schools. Also, if you haven’t done so already, start writing the main CA essay, and feel free to send it to your college counselor to help with editing.
Keep in touch with your counselor: If you have any pressing questions or concerns, feel free to reach out to your college counselor. Also, once school begins, make an appointment to see your counselor and talk about a plan to apply to schools.
-Mr. Joe Korfmacher, MA
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