December College Prep Tips
Monday, December 01, 2008
By Shannon Duff, College Coach, Collegiate Compass LLC www.collegiatecompass.com
December is here. There's plenty to think about with the holidays coming up, but it is important to take time to plan for the coming semester so that YOUR COLLEGE ADMISSIONS PLAN is on track.
Here are some notes for what should be on Juniors' and Seniors' college planning calendars right now.
JUNIORS:
The winter and spring are important for you — this is when the college process gets started! A little planning now will go a long way, and will make you feel much less stressed.
1. Planning and Taking Standardized Tests
Now is an important time to sit down and develop a plan for the timing of your SATs/ACTs/Subject Tests. (Generally, we suggest trying the SAT and the ACT, and seeing which test you do better on, and then working on studying for that test.) Figure out what works with your schedule. It sounds basic, but if you're a serious basketball player whose playoffs coincide with the March SAT, don't take it then. Think about perhaps getting ready for the January exam and then taking the test again in May. Most students will take SAT Subject Tests in May and/or June, after they have finished the corresponding course.
2. Working on Test Prep
If you're going to take a class or work with a tutor, you want to figure out the best possible time to do it — as close as possible to your exam, but also at a time that works for you...know your schedule and be realistic so that you can focus.
3. Visiting Colleges
If you haven't already started to visit colleges, now is the time. Sit down with your calendar and look at school breaks for the spring, and schedule trips! You need to get out there and start to see schools so that you start to get a sense of what you want — and you get a much better sense of a college when school is in session and the students are there (so make sure you're not going to see a school during their spring break!). From this point forward, if you have a family trip, sporting event, etc that takes you to/near a college you might even consider, you should arrange to do a tour and information session.
Even if there's no way you'd ever apply to the school, it's worth driving through as you start to get a sense of what you want in a college. I am always emphasizing the importance of college visits to my students and give them worksheets that enable them to get as much as possible out of each visit; I teach students how to "capture a moment" on campus that they can later use to help them write a standout essay for that school.
SENIORS:
You're nearing the end of the admissions process, but it's no time to let up. You may be waiting on the results of Early Decision or Early Action, but you need to keep working on your applications. THE LAST THING you want to do is to get news that is not what you'd hoped, and then have to write 10 "Why I want to go to College X essays!" So, make and stick to a schedule for knocking out your essays.
Some quick, last-minute tips:
MAKE SURE YOUR ESSAYS STAND OUT
At this point, you're hopefully past the personal statement so we'll focus on colleges' supplemental essays. Use the school's website to dig into the school's mission and programs...It can be helpful to check out a president's address as well. What does the university emphasize? What kind of college community is it? Small? Large? Metropolitan? Focused on liberal arts? Or more pre-professional? Students from around the world, or mostly from a particular region? AND THEN, how does this fit what you are seeking?
SHINE IN YOUR INTERVIEW
Interviews can make a difference in the admissions process, especially at smaller colleges. I'll share a few of the tips that have helped my students to have super interviews:
•Prepare a list of things you want to be sure you tell your interviewer in the interview – that way, you can use their questions to tell them some things you want to highlight about yourself!
•Read through practice questions you can find online to get a sense of questions you may be asked.
•Practice! Even if it's with one of your parents, practice actually saying all these things about yourself. Our students make tremendous progress by practicing with us!
COLLEGIATE COMPASS www.collegiatecompass.com offers services on both an hourly and package basis to assist students in grades 9-12 with academic and extracurricular planning, college preparation and admissions. Call Shannon for a free 15 minute consultation (203.548.1551), and find out how we can help you plan and strategize, and reduce the stress of the admissions process.
Shannon Duff
Collegiate Compass LLC
www.collegiatecompass.com
203.548.1551
December is here. There's plenty to think about with the holidays coming up, but it is important to take time to plan for the coming semester so that YOUR COLLEGE ADMISSIONS PLAN is on track.
Here are some notes for what should be on Juniors' and Seniors' college planning calendars right now.
JUNIORS:
The winter and spring are important for you — this is when the college process gets started! A little planning now will go a long way, and will make you feel much less stressed.
1. Planning and Taking Standardized Tests
Now is an important time to sit down and develop a plan for the timing of your SATs/ACTs/Subject Tests. (Generally, we suggest trying the SAT and the ACT, and seeing which test you do better on, and then working on studying for that test.) Figure out what works with your schedule. It sounds basic, but if you're a serious basketball player whose playoffs coincide with the March SAT, don't take it then. Think about perhaps getting ready for the January exam and then taking the test again in May. Most students will take SAT Subject Tests in May and/or June, after they have finished the corresponding course.
2. Working on Test Prep
If you're going to take a class or work with a tutor, you want to figure out the best possible time to do it — as close as possible to your exam, but also at a time that works for you...know your schedule and be realistic so that you can focus.
3. Visiting Colleges
If you haven't already started to visit colleges, now is the time. Sit down with your calendar and look at school breaks for the spring, and schedule trips! You need to get out there and start to see schools so that you start to get a sense of what you want — and you get a much better sense of a college when school is in session and the students are there (so make sure you're not going to see a school during their spring break!). From this point forward, if you have a family trip, sporting event, etc that takes you to/near a college you might even consider, you should arrange to do a tour and information session.
Even if there's no way you'd ever apply to the school, it's worth driving through as you start to get a sense of what you want in a college. I am always emphasizing the importance of college visits to my students and give them worksheets that enable them to get as much as possible out of each visit; I teach students how to "capture a moment" on campus that they can later use to help them write a standout essay for that school.
SENIORS:
You're nearing the end of the admissions process, but it's no time to let up. You may be waiting on the results of Early Decision or Early Action, but you need to keep working on your applications. THE LAST THING you want to do is to get news that is not what you'd hoped, and then have to write 10 "Why I want to go to College X essays!" So, make and stick to a schedule for knocking out your essays.
Some quick, last-minute tips:
MAKE SURE YOUR ESSAYS STAND OUT
At this point, you're hopefully past the personal statement so we'll focus on colleges' supplemental essays. Use the school's website to dig into the school's mission and programs...It can be helpful to check out a president's address as well. What does the university emphasize? What kind of college community is it? Small? Large? Metropolitan? Focused on liberal arts? Or more pre-professional? Students from around the world, or mostly from a particular region? AND THEN, how does this fit what you are seeking?
SHINE IN YOUR INTERVIEW
Interviews can make a difference in the admissions process, especially at smaller colleges. I'll share a few of the tips that have helped my students to have super interviews:
•Prepare a list of things you want to be sure you tell your interviewer in the interview – that way, you can use their questions to tell them some things you want to highlight about yourself!
•Read through practice questions you can find online to get a sense of questions you may be asked.
•Practice! Even if it's with one of your parents, practice actually saying all these things about yourself. Our students make tremendous progress by practicing with us!
COLLEGIATE COMPASS www.collegiatecompass.com offers services on both an hourly and package basis to assist students in grades 9-12 with academic and extracurricular planning, college preparation and admissions. Call Shannon for a free 15 minute consultation (203.548.1551), and find out how we can help you plan and strategize, and reduce the stress of the admissions process.
Shannon Duff
Collegiate Compass LLC
www.collegiatecompass.com
203.548.1551
