Planning the end of your pre-senior year summer

There is so much you can still do to empower yourself and improve your college admissions process.

1. Set up your final testing schedule.
a. Will you take more standardized tests? You should consider this if your scores do not match the median scores of your top colleges.
b. Which tests will you take? At this point in your life, you can still take both the ACT and SAT. Yet that requires double studying and preparing. Do not take these tests again without some kind of prepping. Those with limited time, should choose the test that all colleges on your list accept.
c. SAT Subject Tests. Some colleges require both the SATI/ACT and SAT IIs. So you should try to prepare for these tests as well. Choose ones in the fall that you can easily freshen up on. Don't take one from a course you took two years ago unless you have plenty of prep time.
d. Sign up now for tests.

2. Refine your senior year schedule. Remember...
a. If you're taking more rigorous classes, great. But make sure you have all the time and supports in place.
b. You need lots of time for your activities and work.
c. Colleges like rigour and they like improvement in grades. Don't take the hardest courses now, if you can't keep your grades up.
d. College applications take time. Build in time for really strong submissions.

3. Develop a resume.
a. It's time to collect all your 9th grade-present information. Do not go back before then except for math and foreign language and long term sports and artistic development.
b. You need to sort it into categories and create a resume with these sections.
i. education
ii. activities--you can create categories...in school, sports, community service.
iii. jobs
iv. if you want, and you like your test scores, you can include them
c. I can provide samples.

4. Start working on college applications.
a. The common application is up. www. commonapp.org
b. Start working on the basics of that great application.
c. Hints...with activities...go in order of importance...start with those activities you have done the longest and achieved the highest levels.
d. Draft your short and long essays. I will provide advice on these later.
e. Develop a master chart of key deadlines, requirements, and passwords. I can provide a master chart if you'd like.
f. Look at other colleges and their requirements. Add them to your master list.

5. Choose your teacher recommenders
a. Think of core teachers who know you best from 11th and 12th grade. English, SS, Science, Math, and Foreign Language.
b. A teacher in 10th grade is okay, especially if you have had this teacher more than once.
c. If you're well-rounded, chose one from humanities/social sciences and one from math/science
d. Do not choose two from same content area, unless one is a third recommender.
e. Contact your college counselor. Begin thinking of ways to build a stronger relationship with this core person
f. If a teacher you want to use has left your school, track him or her down now.

6. Plan late summer, early fall trips to colleges
a. It's best to visit colleges when they are in session. I know that's ideal but it's a better indication of what college life is like.
b. Plan visits to schools that highly recommend visits.
c. Plan visits to more realistic schools.
d. Plan visits to schools to which you may consider applying as early action or early decision candidates.
e. Prepare. Do research on each school. Keep notes of your core findings.
f. Arrange for tours, group information sessions, class visits, and interviews.

7. Prepare for interviews
a. Many colleges have onsite interviews. Some have local interviews. Some use admissions officers. Some use alumni. Find out what for each college. Go to admissions website, and look for interviews.
b. Some interviews are informational...They're great but don't count. They mainly focus on student questions.
c. Some interviews are evaluative. They count!!!!! They are great opportunity to share information that doesn't appear on application. Tell stories. Give powerful examples. Do not complain. Do not get off track.
d. You can bring notes.
e. You should prepare. You should know enough about the college to have a high level conversation.
f. You can take notes.
g. Bring your resume to leave with interviewer.
h. Get interviewer's card.
i. Write a hand-written thank you note with specifics in it and with one more piece of key information about you.