College Preparation While in High School

GRADE 9: The Foundational Year

Student:

• Focus on your studies. The freshman year can present a challenging academic transition, and it is foundational to your whole high school career.
• Explore new activities and leadership experiences.
• Begin conversations with your parents about college options, studies, and finances.
• Begin putting together your resume: an account of your noteworthy activities, awards, community service, and interests.

School:

• Facilitate College Night for 9th graders and parents. This event will serve as a general overview of what to do each year in high school to prepare for the future and a chance for parents to ask questions.
• The College Advisor and/or the Dead of Academics meet with students to discuss their early thoughts about their college plans and ways to start working on a resume.

GRADE 10: The Learning Year

Student:

• During the summer, participate in employment, leadership, and other extra-curricular opportunities. This will begin building your resume.
• Focus on your studies. Your high school transcript should reflect strong academic performance in your coursework.
• Continue keeping careful records of your accomplishments on your resume.
• Research academic, leadership, or service experiences that will take place during the summer before your junior year.
• Begin researching colleges. Talk to parents, teachers, and others who may have insight into particular colleges and fields of study.
• Schedule preliminary college visits when vacation travel permits.
  Attend all college events offered by the school. Take notes and ask questions.
• During the summer, participate in employment, leadership, and academic opportunities. Consider making plans for SAT/ACT preparation.

School:

• The PSAT will be administered to all sophomores in the Fall.
• Students will meet individually with the College Advisor to discuss high school course plans, college interests, summer experiences, and extracurricular activities.
• The school will invite students and parents to general college preparatory events.
• The College Advisor will provide students with the school’s CEEB code to create an individual College Board account for tracking test scores and strategies for improvement.
• AP exams will be administered for any qualifying classes.

GRADE 11: The Working Year

Student:

• During the summer, continue to participate in employment, leadership, and other extra-curricular opportunities.  Think about SAT/ACT preparation.
• Focus on your studies. This year is particularly busy, so remain committed to a consistently good or improving record.
• Continue keeping careful records of your accomplishments on your resume.
• Attend local college fairs and college recruiting events.
• Schedule college visits over school breaks based on a short list of colleges you have developed with your parents and College Advisor.
• Research regional, national, and college-specific scholarships and continue discussing college finances with your parents.
• Obtain letters of recommendation from teachers to prepare for early applications.
• Take the SAT/ACT this year. You may take these tests in the fall, but we recommend using that time for test preparation. The winter, spring, and summer are the best times for testing, and you may take each test multiple times (though we do not advise taking a test more than three times).

School Timeline

• You must meet with your College Advisor at least twice—once per semester—to discuss the state of applications, activities, college visits, and academics.
• The SAT will be administered to all juniors in the spring.
• AP exams will be administered for any qualifying classes.

GRADE 12: The Decision Year

Student Timeline

• During the summer, tour the colleges you are applying to and write college essays. You should write your essays while you have time—not in a rush during the school year. You will need to request your high school transcript as well. Most early application deadlines are in early November; most regular application deadlines are in early January.
• Focus on your studies—strive for a strong finish.
• Keep adding to your resume. Even when you have sent in college applications, it is always helpful to have an updated resume.
• Complete scholarship applications—your college application will address most needs-based and merit-based college scholarships. You should complete the FAFSA (Free Application for Federal and Student Aid) and CSS Profile (College Scholarship Service Profile) online as necessary for financial aid.
• Ensure you send all necessary test scores and transcripts to the colleges.
• Attend college recruiting events.
• Finalize any last college applications and send them.
• You should continue visiting colleges of interest during the fall; reserve any visits in the spring for colleges that have admitted you and between which you are trying to decide.

School Timeline

• You will meet with your College Advisor in the fall to discuss college decisions and questions.
• AP exams will be administered for any qualifying classes.

Students and Parents: Please review the important links below for information that will help prepare you for navigating your future!