Colleges consider a wide variety of information when evaluating your admissions application. For example, your cumulative GPA, strength of curriculum, standardized test scores, extracurricular activities, and letters of recommendation are all factors in the admissions process. Knowing this, it is important to remember a few key points as you move through high school and look forward to college:
- Take responsibility for your grades and your learning.
- Challenge yourself academically. Grades are important, but colleges also pay attention to the rigor of your curriculum. Slightly lower grades in challenging courses are better than higher grades in less challenging courses.
- Work on developing your time management skills! Being able to balance your coursework with extracurricular commitments is a wonderful asset and it will benefit you throughout your academic career in high school, and beyond.
9th Grade:
- Find one or more extracurricular activities that interest you - consistency and commitment! Colleges like to see that you've done something outside your coursework for four years.
- Create a file to keep copies of report cards, a record of honors and awards, and a list of extracurricular activities (i.e. clubs and/or sports involvement at school, volunteer work, community service, and paid employment).
- Be open and honest about your interests when you meet with your counselor to discuss course registration for the next school year.
- Parents: Attend "College Night: Looking Ahead" at school.
- Visit colleges while they're in session.
- Start a summer reading list
10th grade:
- Take the PSAT and PLAN in October.
- When you meet with your counselor to discuss course registration for the next school year make sure you are pursuing a curriculum that reflects your ability and potential - are you challenging yourself sufficiently? Talk to your teachers about course selections.
- During school breaks, visit a few colleges to get a feel for different campus sizes (small, medium, large) and locations (urban, suburban, rural).
- Continue to expand and document your extracurricular involvements and outside interests.
- Attend High School College Fair
- Talk to your counselor and teachers about taking SAT Subject Tests
- Study for May AP Exams. Get free AP preparation.
- Parents: Attend "College Night: Looking Ahead" at school.
11th grade:
Fall Semester
- Take the PSAT in October (National Merit qualifying test).
- Discuss SAT/ACT test prep options with your counselor.
- Continue extracurricular commitments - consider a leadership role!
- Attend College Fair
- Parents: Attend "Junior Fall Parent Night" at school.
- Plan to use your "College Visit Days" to explore as many schools on your list as possible (2 days total for juniors).
- Jumpstart your college planning by reading about majors and careers.
- Start Thinking about Financial Aid
- Visit the SAT Preparation Center Develop a list of 15-20 colleges that interest you.
- Search for colleges and use My College List. Do well on AP Exams and receive credit or placement at most colleges. Get AP Exam preparation.
Spring Semester
- January - March: Set up an appointment with your counselor to discuss standardized test registration, courses for senior year, and to create a preliminary list of colleges.
- Register/Take the SAT (www.collegeboard.com) and ACT (www.act.org) at least once, and preferably twice.
- Find out if any SAT: Subject Tests are required by colleges you are considering.
- Research college list using guidebooks, the internet, and college visits. Talk to current students and alumni.
- Modify and update college list as your interests become clearer.
- Update your resume with current activities and leadership roles.
- Parents: Attend "Junior Spring Parent Night".
- Investigate sources of merit aid at schools of interest.
- Do well on AP Exams and receive credit or placement at most colleges. Get AP Exam preparation.
12th Grade:
Fall Semester
- Schedule an appointment with your college counselor, and continue to meet with his as needed.
- If needed, register to re-take SAT/ACT.
- Know your application deadlines!
- Send SAT/ACT scores to colleges.
- Pay attention to scholarship announcements and deadlines.
- If possible, visit your top college choices - go to classes and stay overnight in a dorm.
- Parents: Attend "Parent Information Night".
- Write application essays and ask teachers, parents, and friends to read first drafts.
- Ask for recommendations. Give each person your resume, a stamped, addressed envelope, and any required forms
Spring Semester
- Fill out the FAFSA online (available January 1): http://www.fafsa.ed.gov/
- May 1: Students notify colleges of their enrollment. Be sure to send your deposit.
- June: Final transcripts sent to colleges by counseling office.
- Enjoy your final months at St. Agnes, and do your best to finish the year on an academic high note.