As school starts this fall, and seniors begin to narrow down the choices of where they want to apply, seniors should also note that colleges are doing more than showing off their school to you. While you have done well in the 9th, 10th and 11th grades, your SAT scores are good, it is important to remember as "senioritis" sets in, that you can not quit because Colleges are continuing to "TAKE NOTE" about how a student does in the fall of senior year.( as well as the spring) . They’re looking for students who continue to make the mark and willing to maintain or improve their grades. Schools like to see students who are improving from the start of the 9th grade, showing that study habits are improving, and will be concerned if they see “up-and-down”, or students who started off strong, and have let up.
If you are a senior student, you need to return to school and start off the year on an upswing note. Students by now should be handling a more rigorous course load as they enter their senior year, demonstrating a continued solid performance in AP level classes, or in some cases community college classes that are specifically designed for high school students and give both High School and College credit.
However, seniors also need to remember that this fall with all the excitement coming, it will be a stressful few months for both you and your families, as you go to college fairs, visit campuses, fill out many applications, tailor making each essay, and going to interviews.
Students need to pace your activities so they can meet the demands of meeting all the deadline to the colleges while at the same time continuing to have the energy to do well in your classes, finalize any community activities, participate in sports or other programs you enjoy, AND, continue to make time for friends and family. The fall semester of your senior year is a balancing act.
For 8th, 9th, 10th, and 11th graders, summer should be a time of the following:
READING
(noting NEW vocabulary, and its meaning)
SAT/ACT PREP
If you are in the 10th grade, take the PSAT
If you are entering the 11th grade, preparing for and taking the SAT/ACT, and AP tests
DOING SOMETHING YOU ARE PASSIONATE ABOUT
(sports, music, art, or another passion, like volunteering at a hospital, or summer camp)
While there is at least a few more weeks of Summer left, make it count. Summers are STRATEGICALLY important! This is only real time students can get anything done since school often takes up all of their time during the school year. Have fun, enjoy your summer but make the 100 days count!
If you have a school that you are absolutely sure that you want to attend, check to see if that school has an early college admission process. Some schools offer this choice for students who want to apply during the fall of their senior year. However, many schools state that if you are accepted during early admissions, you MUST attend that school; so only make use of this opportunity when you do not have any doubts about your college choice.
ReplyDeleteRegular admission timetables will require you to have all of your materials turned in during the spring of your senior year; exactly when during the spring varies by school. Some admission deadlines will even run into the summer. Do not turn in half-completed admission paperwork! A good option may be for you to consider using the common application, available online. Find out if the university or college you are applying to accepts this option.
school grants
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ReplyDeleteThis prior comment by Dokemion is well intended, but it is important for students to understand the early admissions process. Students have two choices within the Early Admissions process, early DECISION and early ACTION.
ReplyDeleteIn Early decision, you need to really know
1) know you want to go that school,
2) be willing to put up an early deposit, and 3) need to be able to pay for it, even if you dont get the financial aid package you expect.
EARLY DECISION is a BINDING contract! PENN is an example of a EARLY DECISION SCHOOL
In Early Action , a process that many top tier schools are going to, you are accepted again early to the school, but you are given several months to decide if you really want to go to that school. STANFORD is an example of an EARLY ACTION school
Know the difference, and work with a counselor if you are going this route. We are here to help you.