This week’s post is written by Emilie Schnabel, Admission Counselor at Saint Martin’s University.
The old saying, “time flies”, is particularly applicable when it comes to the college search process. That process, however, starts a lot sooner than many students may realize. The choices made during all four years of high school are reviewed as part of the college application. While a big push junior or senior year is never a bad thing, students may find that their early years in high school are just as important as their later. In order to make the home stretch less confusing, here is a college preparation checklist spanning all four years of high school:
Freshman Year
[] Start strong: The best way to finish with a strong application your senior year, is to apply yourself from the beginning of your high school career. Your cumulative grade point is what is typically considered for admission, and most schools will not even see your senior year grades before they offer or deny you admission. Another perk of getting good grades? Many schools will have scholarship dollars to offer incoming students, based off of their academic performance prior to college.
[] Take advantage of your resources: Many high schools offer opportunities for students to learn about colleges every year. Annual college fairs are a great way to become familiar with some of the names out there, and freshman year is the perfect time to grab a brochure from everyone present. You don’t need the in-depth answers yet, but you can familiarize yourself with the different types of options out there. This way you will be prepared to ask more detailed and personalized questions later on down the road.
[] Get involved: Find something you’re interested in and get involved. Colleges do look at activities, but most would rather see continued involvement that you are passionate about, rather than a long list of clubs you signed up for but rarely participated in. Finding activities that you enjoy may also help you determine what you would like to study post-high school.
Sophomore Year
[] Pay attention to math and science: Sophomore year is often the time when students decide what math or science track they are going to follow. Choosing whether or not to continue on to Calculus, or take that extra Anatomy class, can become important in college. For instance, students interested in pursuing careers in the health field will want as much background in science as possible. Students who want to study Engineering or Business, among other majors, would do well to take as much math as possible during high school.
[] Rigor v. GPA: When deciding between AP, IB, Advanced, Honors and general classes, sophomore year is the perfect time to dip the toes into a more rigorous schedule. Adding on harder classes can be a great way to expand knowledge and prepare for the rigor of college, but it can also be wise not to pursue a course load that may be too difficult to sustain. Now’s the time to find out what you can handle!
Junior Year
[] Damage Control: Despite best intentions, the transition to high school can be rocky for many students. Adjusting to a new school, harder classes, situations at home, sickness, and many other factors can negatively impact a student’s academic record. This is the year to take a step back and evaluate your academic progress. If you had a few missteps, where can you make improvements? If your load of advanced classes is too difficult, it may be more important to secure a solid GPA in less advanced classes this year. Additionally, if you need help–seek it. Work with your teachers; ask for their help and clarification. Does your school offer a tutoring program or study session? As this is likely the last year of grades colleges will see before making your admission decision, now is the time to really buckle down and make sure you are on track to graduate and do your best.
[] Top Pick: Your junior year is also a great time to get serious about comparing your post-secondary options. Make a short list of institutions you are interested in and start to dig deeper in your research. Your senior year will be just as difficult as your junior year, and on top of that you will be filling out your applications. Why not take the time now to figure out what you are looking for, before you are running up against deadlines?
[] Consider the PSAT: If you’re nervous about standardized testing, taking the PSAT the fall of your junior year might be a good way to work out some of those nerves. If you do extremely well, there are even some scholarships that are tied to the PSAT. Note: some schools do offer the PSAT the fall of your sophomore year, but most students who take it do so junior year.
[] Test early: Whether or not you take the PSAT, it is often a good idea to take the SAT during the spring of the junior year. This way, if you end up wanting to retake the SAT you will have plenty of time to do so the fall of your senior year without running up against application deadlines. Similar advice applies to the ACT.
[] Compare campuses: Consider taking a look at different college campuses if you have the opportunity. Whether these are the schools you are looking at, or just a couple of schools that are in easy driving distance, figuring out what size of campus and type of location you are looking for will help you narrow your focus next year.
[] Identify Recommenders: Over the summer, consider what teachers, coaches or advisors would be good recommenders for your applications. That way, when fall rolls around you can ask for your letters of recommendation early–before the teachers are swamped with requests from all of your peers.
Senior Year
[] Final testing: The fall of your senior year is crunch time when it comes to testing. Tests are offered into the spring, but many schools will not accept applications that late. It is also important to remember that every institution has its own rules and deadlines, and there are some that do not even require standardized tests! This is why doing your research early is very important.
[] September-December is application time: The fall of your senior is the best time to apply. Schools with rolling deadlines may accept applications throughout the spring and even summer, but due to the requirements of the financial aid process the sooner your application is processed the better. Additionally, those schools with firm application deadlines typically place them in December.
[] January 1-fill out your FAFSA: January 1st of your senior year is the day the FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) opens up for the upcoming fall. Much federal financial aid is offered on an increasingly first-come, first-serve basis. If you are eligible for federal financial aid you will fill this application out every year you are in college in order to receive that aid.
[] Scholarship Search: Now is the time for the activity(ies) you picked your freshman year to pay off, as well as any community connections you have made. You should focus on searching for outside scholarships your entire senior year. Many clubs with national affiliations will offer scholarships, and your high schools should have lists of local scholarships you can apply for. If you look around on this blog, there are some great posts on where to begin the search for scholarships. The majority of students will have a gap between the cost of attending their institution, and their financial aid package.
[] February-May Compare your financial aid awards: The spring of your senior year, typically February-March, is when the schools who have admitted you will send you a financial aid award. This will combine what you qualified for through the FAFSA with any institutional aid you may be receiving. If you applied and were accepted to more than one institution, comparing financial aid awards is an important step into making your final decision about where to attend school.
[] May 1 National Deposit Deadline: While not all institutions require students to deposit by May one, it is recognized as the official deposit day. Aim to make your decision about where you would like to attend by this date, and then secure your place by paying an enrollment deposit.
[] Finish strong: Just because you received your admission decision before your senior year was over does not mean that you are scot free when it comes to your academic success. Institutions may have policies in place to rescind your admission decision if your transcript plummets. Also–yes, you do need to meet all of your graduation requirements in order to begin college in the fall, or pass the GED. Technical institutions and trade schools may have different requirements.
The college search process may not be stress-free, but by following this timeline you can set yourself up to be successful and in charge of your path following high school. High school is a time to enjoy and learn, but it is also an important building block toward your future. Taking the time now to focus might not seem important, but it can literally pay off when it comes to scholarship money and college admissions.
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