January 14, 2010
To: adMISSION POSSIBLE Juniors
First semester will soon be over. Believe it or not, this is a good time to begin thinking about college admissions for next fall. So that you can plan ahead, here are some things for you to do in the next six months.
IN GENERAL
√ Because a number of colleges ask for a writing sample as a part of their applications, save some of your best English, history, and other papers from this year.
√ Every once in awhile stop by to say hello to your high school counselor. You want to make sure that this person knows who you are as he/she will be filling-out your application School Report forms, something to which admissions officers pay a lot of attention.
√ Also, take extra time to “make nice” with teachers who you might ask to write recommendations for you.
√ Stanford University has announced its summer institutes for middle and high school students. Here is the URL that describes their programs:
http://epgy.stanford.edu/summer/highschoolprogram.html
√ Attached is a list of web links that provide information about other great summer programs. The Johns Hopkins Center for Talented Youth website also lists many cool things to do.
http://cty.jhu.edu/imagine/links.html
JANUARY
√ Take stock of how you are spending your time in and out of school. Is there anything you want to add or eliminate from your schedule? Make sure that everything you do is either something you enjoy or “counts” academically.
√ Decide when you are going to take the different college admissions tests, making sure that you complete all by June of this year.
√ Find out when the National Association of College Admissions Counseling college fair will be held in the city in which you reside. The URL that lists dates for cities is:
http://www.nacacnet.org/EVENTSTRAINING/COLLEGEFAIRS/NCF/SPRING/Pages/default.aspx
Here are when the College Board and ACT tests will be given in 2010. Sign up now, even though it seems like a long time away.
SAT TEST DATES
January 23, 2010
March 13, 2010 (SAT I only)
May 1, 2010
June 5, 2010
ACT TEST DATES
February 6,2010
April 10, 2010
June 12, 2010
SUBJECT TESTS
√ Decide whether you want to take any Subject Tests for advanced classes in which you are enrolled. A list of the Subject Tests can be found at:
http://sat.collegeboard.com/practice/sat-subject-test-preparation
Just so you know, the UC’s require two Subject Tests, but in different subject areas. A few of the very competitive colleges such as Harvard require three Subject Tests; many other colleges require two and some don’t’ require any at all. The Common Application website, college websites and this URL are good places to find what individual schools are requiring:
http://www.compassprep.com/admissions_req_subjects.aspx
FEBRUARY
√ Begin putting together a list of colleges in which you are interested; start reading about them in the various guidebooks.
√ If you haven’t already, make arrangements to get some admissions test tutoring. It is said that students who don’t get tutoring underscore by 200 points.
√ Begin thinking about what you want to do this coming summer; colleges pay particular attention what applicants do the summer before senior year.
√ Put together a first draft of your activities resume.
MARCH
√ Remember that junior year grades are very important, especially Spring semester.
√ Make plans for summer activities, including applying to programs that interest you.
√ Consider using Spring Break as a time to visit colleges.
√ Make sure that you are signed up for AP tests that are given at your school in May.
APRIL
√ Continue exploring and narrowing down your college list.
MAY
√ Ask favorite teachers if they will write recommendations for your college applications.
√ Finalize your summer plans.
√ Carefully choose your senior classes, taking into consideration the rigor of the program and balance in your life.
√ Take the AP test for any AP class in which you are enrolled.
JUNE
√ Have your college list narrowed down to the colleges you like best.
√ Ace your Finals.
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