Matt Wotus Features Editor
Spring of Junior Year
- Try to figure out what your interests are. Doing so will make searching for colleges an easier task. Use resources such as CollegeBoard to search for at least four potential colleges. Included in the four should be a safety school and a reach school.
- Reach out to your guidance counselor. If you haven’t done so already, talk with him/her to discuss your senior schedule and applying to college. Colleges like to see students continue to challenge themselves during senior year, so don’t slack off, but don’t overburden yourself with too many AP classes. Applying to college can be a stressful period, so you don’t want to have to deal with a very stressful school schedule as well.
- Begin college visits. While a college may look like a good fit for you on a computer screen, you won’t truly know until you visit the campus. Most colleges offer information sessions and guided tours for prospective students to learn more and see the ins and outs of the campus. Don’t be afraid to ask questions or talk to current students to get a feel for the school. If you have eight or nine colleges you are interested in, this is the time to see each one of them and decide which ones you really want to apply to.
- Take the SAT and/or ACT if you haven’t done so already or want to improve your scores. Your SAT scores can be Superscored, meaning colleges will look at all your scores but only consider the highest from each section when choosing whether or not to admit you.
- Take your AP Exams seriously. Yes, paying $89 to take a test may seem like a lot, but compared to the thousands of dollars you can save by getting college credits, it isn’t that much. Make sure to check the websites of the colleges you are interested in for information about what scores you need to obtain on each exam to get the college credit.
Summer before Senior Year
- Sit down with your family and talk financials. Never cross a college off your list because off a financial situation. There is a multitude of scholarships out there, as well as grants and loans. Go ahead and begin applying for scholarships and research specific financial aid information for colleges. Don’t necessarily apply only for the big, prestigious scholarships either; the smaller scholarships can start to add up after awhile. Use websites such as CollegeBoard or Zinch to search for scholarships.
- Finalize your college list. Visit colleges for a second time and find four to six you can see yourself attending. Don’t overwhelm yourself by applying to eight or nine colleges, but leave your options open by having four or five solid choices.
- Contact those you wish to write recommendation letters for you. The earlier you get in contact with these people, the better. Whether an employer or teacher, many have multiple letters to write for students. Don’t wait until the last minute, as the person you ask may say no. Try your best to ask in person, but if necessary, an e-mail would suffice. Have a resume and an addressed and stamped envelope ready for the person.
- Begin your college applications. The process seems daunting, but the earlier you start, the better. The process can be grueling, but don’t fret; you will be rewarded for the time and dedication you put into applying to college.
Fall of Senior Year
- Continue with the college application process, but maintain your grades in school as well. Find a balance between college applications and schoolwork. Maybe set aside some time every night to work on applying to college.
- Have an English teacher read your essays. The essays, other than your actual grades, are probably the most important part of a college application. Those who will be reviewing your application and deciding whether or not to admit you like to see originality, creativity, inspiration, and correct grammar in an essay. Many English teachers offer to read students’ college essays, so make sure to ask either your current or former teacher to read yours.
- Enjoy your time as a senior. While senior year can be stressful, be sure to enjoy it, as it really does fly by. Make sure you get your schoolwork and college applications done, but also set aside time to relax with friends.
