Rise Up, Juniors! Take Action!
Here are a few important tasks to make you college-application ready
1. Register for the SAT and ACT NOW
We still see students who wait until the spring of their junior year to take the April ACT and/or May SAT exams. That’s way too late! Start prepping now, and based upon your math level, your GPA, your reading habits and abilities, think about testing in October (PSAT — yes, again, even though you took it last year!), December (ACT — first one of the year that you can get back to review!), and January (if you have a great PSAT score) of the upcoming academic year. We can’t overstress the importance of timely, targeted test preparation. Once you set a benchmark for yourself with the first set of scores, you’ll know what your strengths and weaknesses are. Score At The Top can help every step of the way.
2. Work on a long list, then a short list of colleges to visit during first-semester school holidays and Spring Break
Take a tour, attend an information session, sit in on classes, dine in the student center, talk to college kids at every opportunity. You don’t want to apply blindly. Besides, visiting college campuses can help improve your chances for admission!
3. Plan to take SAT Subject Tests in May or June
More competitive colleges require or recommend 2-3 SAT Subject Tests for admission. You should plan to take these SAT Subject Tests in May and/or June, when the class material is still fresh in your mind — and when you may take advantage of preparing for an AP or IB exam to help you get ready for a Subject Test. Don’t wait until October of your senior year to take a Subject Test!
4. Identify teachers who can write your college recommendations
Colleges prefer recommendations from junior-year academic teachers. As the school year begins, identify the teachers who could write a great recommendation, and cultivate strong relationships throughout the year. Talk with these teachers about your work in and out of class, and even about his or her thoughts on colleges for you. Teachers like to know that you’re thinking ahead.
5. Meet with your guidance counselor
Encourage your parents to attend a local college fair or college night at your school. Speak to your guidance counselor before that, though. With so many students on his or her plate, your guidance counselor needs all the help you can provide in order to give you proper help. Cultivate a good relationship. Look for cues about the best time to approach the counselor. Collaborate!
August 12th, 2009 at 2:15 pm
[...] thinking about those college applications. Jason Robinovitz offers a clarion call in his post, Rise Up, Juniors! Take Action! that appears at Score At The [...]
August 20th, 2009 at 9:13 am
It is also a good idea to consider what extra-cirricular and job-related experience you can offer as part of your background for your essay or student resume. If you can work part-time or volunteer in an area that interests you (considering your possible direction for a college major or future career) you will gain important experience and show admissions just how dedicated and focused you are! Stay focused on your studies because your grades are very important at this point, but try to fit in opportunities to grow beyond academics and help you stand out in a sea of applications.