College Planning This Summer

Whether you plan to work, volunteer, study or play, take time over the summer break to focus on your college application process.

Rising seniors, get a head start on your applications. Work on your essay(s) this summer without the pressures of keeping up with schoolwork. Come fall, you’ll be able to focus on school visits, finalizing your list of schools and completing your applications.

Here’s how to get started on your essay(s):

• Begin by opening your Common App account, if you don’t already have one. Then read the essay prompts so you can begin thinking about what you’d like to write about.
• Some schools require their own supplemental essays in addition to the Common App essays. Look through the websites for schools you’re considering to confirm their essay requirements.
•  You want to give admissions reps a reason to remember who you are and an incentive to advocate for your candidacy so, write an essay that reveals a side of yourself that isn’t evident in your transcript or test scores.
• A topic that’s ordinary and everyday can help tell your own particular unique story if you do it in a thoughtful way. It’s not the topic, but how you relate that topic to your life circumstances that’s important.
• Your essay should be well written and convey your own voice. It’s okay to seek out help from a proof reader, but make sure your essay is in your own words. Admissions officers want to hear what you have to say, not your parent or teacher or mentor.

In addition to your essays, continue to study if you’ll be taking any standardized tests and update your list of extracurriculars.

Rising juniors, summer’s a great time for you to begin your college process. Research schools, think about a test schedule and begin preparing, and start a comprehensive list of your activities and achievements to be used on the Common App.

Registration Reminder

Today is the registration deadline for the July 17th ACT exam. Please note there are no test centers scheduled in New York for the July test date.

Get Ready For Tomorrow’s ACT

A few thoughts if you’re scheduled to take the ACT tomorrow.

To minimize your stress in the morning, it’s a great idea to get organized ahead of time. The last thing you need on test day is a desperate scramble. These are some of the things you can do the night before to get your big day off to a great start:

First, check with your parents to make sure they know when and where you’re scheduled to take the test, and arrange how you’ll get to the test center. Next, gather and pack all the things you’ll need to take with you. Some of the things on this check list are “must-have” items, while others are optional.

REQUIRED: Don’t forget any of the following items or it will be a long ride home!

• An approved calculator
• Sharpened #2 pencils
• An acceptable form of photo ID
• Your admission or standby ticket
• Mask

SUGGESTED:

• Water
• Snack
• Sweater
• Back-up calculator
• Extra batteries for your calculator
• Watch (to keep track of time)

Finally, given how COVID-19 has disrupted the testing process, we suggest that you confirm the status of your test registration and stay current on any changes by visiting ACT Testing Amid COVID-19.

Set your alarm, get a good night’s sleep and have a healthy, satisfying breakfast.

Plan Your Summer

The sun is out and the temperature is rising! Feels like summer is here! If you haven’t already made plans for your break from school, it’s not too late. Summer is a good time for a bit of self discovery.  This is an opportunity to see where your interests for the future lie. Look into finding a job, an internship or volunteer. You may also consider taking a class either at a local school or online.

Regardless of what you decide to do, consider the following when making your plans:

• Look to build new skills or deepen ones you already have.
• Be productive and get things done that have been on your “to do” or “try this” list.
• Challenge yourself to learn something new.
• Explore— discover what you do and don’t like.

Get Ready For Tomorrow’s SAT

A few thoughts if you’re scheduled to take tomorrow’s SAT.

To minimize your stress tomorrow morning, it’s a great idea to get organized ahead of time. The last thing you need on test morning is a desperate scramble. These are some of the things you can do tonight to get your big day off to a great start:

First, check with your parents to make sure they know when and where you’re scheduled to take the test, and arrange how you’ll get to the test center. Next, gather and pack all the things you’ll need to take with you. Some of the things on this check list are “must-have” items, while others are optional.

REQUIRED: Don’t forget any of the following items or it will be a long ride home!

• An approved calculator
• Sharpened #2 pencils
• An acceptable form of photo ID
• Your admission or standby ticket

SUGGESTED:

• Water
• Snack
• Sweater
• Back-up calculator
• Extra batteries for your calculator
• Watch (to keep track of time)

Finally, given how COVID-19 has disrupted the testing process, we suggest that you confirm the status of your test registration and stay current on any changes by visiting Coronavirus Updates for Students Taking the SAT.

Commencement Speeches To Read

Graduation 2021 is especially meaningful and is truly cause for celebration. Whether graduating from high school or college, graduates this year have shown their resilience and determination to succeed. Below are excerpts from college commencement speeches featured in The New York Times in Amelia Nierenberg’s May 29, 2021 article.

Alexic Ohanian, co-founder of Reddit, spoke at the University of Virginia.

“There is going to be an amazing time, over the next 10, 15, 20 years, as we see what happens, with this new technology, with the power of community, to hopefully create a lot more good. And I don’t see any other path forward. We have to figure it out. We have to make it better — for my daughter, for her entire generation, for all of us to be able to not just survive, but thrive together, as a community, accepting the fact that we are all deeply flawed but working to bring about the very best in each and every one of us.”

Laurene Powell Jobs, a businesswoman and philanthropist, spoke to students at the University of Pennsylvania.

“Change in ourselves and change in the world happens similarly: It comes slowly, slowly, and then all at once. What matters is your readiness for the moment of revelation, of challenge, of opportunity. We have to be prepared to walk through the door when it opens, or, by our own power and purpose, to open it ourselves. And sometimes we need to tear down walls, the ones within and the ones without.”

Bina Venkataraman, editorial page editor of The Boston Globe, spoke at the University of Southern California.

“Look for heroes not on the silver screen or the pedestal or even at this podium — but at eye level and within reach: the people in your life who have been afraid but done the right thing anyway, who have shown you by example how to be bold.

Prize bravery over bravado. Prize all moments of bravery, even the small and unrecognized ones. You can be heroic whenever you choose, whoever you are, without being perfect or celebrated or superbly talented.”

Registration Reminder

Remember, today is the late registration deadline for the June 5th SAT.

Registration Reminder

Today is the late registration deadline for the June 12th ACT exam.

Ask Your Recommenders Now

Juniors, now’s the time to ask your teachers to write your college recommendation letters. Which teachers know you best? Before you finish up this semester, ask two teachers, in person if possible, to write on your behalf.

Here are some top tips on how to make your request:

1. Ask now. Many teachers receive more requests than they can fulfill, so by asking in advance, you’ll be able to confirm they are able put you on their list. Ask in person if possible, and confirm by email.
2. A recommendation will be more valuable if written by a teacher who likes you and knows what kind of learner you are. Most colleges require a minimum of two letters of recommendation from your teachers and one from your guidance counselor. Many require your letters be written by instructors you had in junior or senior year. If possible, ask primary subject teachers.
3. Help your recommenders to write the most effective letters on your behalf. Give them an outline of the highlights of your time spent in their classroom, your favorite assignments and samples of your work. Also, let them know what you enjoy(ed) most about their class. Share any experiences outside the classroom that are relevant to their subject matter. You can also show them your resume. Help them write a letter that ties together all your related experiences.
4. Ask directors of special programs you’ve had a meaningful involvement in, such as science research or athletics, to write an additional letter on your behalf. These letters help admissions reps get a better understanding of who you are and what you’re likely to contribute to their classrooms and campus community.
5. When you get back to school in the fall, confirm with your writers. Once you know where you’re applying, give each recommender a list of your schools and the application deadlines.
6. Make a list of the schools you are applying to and keep track of your recommendations. Jot down the date you made your request and check online or with the colleges as the process progresses to confirm their receipt of your recommendation letters.

Top College Search Tools

Juniors, by now you’re most likely into college search mode. Take advantage of these helpful free resources to explore your options and to help you make further progress:

College Fairs: College fairs are a great way to start your search. You’ll have the chance to get exposed to a large number of colleges and universities all at one time and in one place. Many fairs are currently virtual. Look online at the schedule of fairs and register for the one(s) you’d like to attend. Also ask your guidance counselor for a list of recommended fairs. A few days before a fair, check the schedule and plan which schools you’d like to learn about. On the day of the fair, you’ll be able to attend live Zoom sessions with many different colleges.

College Guides: College guides offer an easy way to review and compare basic facts such as course requirements, tuition, study body demographics and GPA, SAT and ACT ranges. These guides also include interesting feedback from students. We suggest starting with Fiske Guide to Colleges, Princeton Review and Barron’s.

College Websites: College websites provide detailed information about the student body, required curriculum, courses of study, tuition and financial aid, housing and extracurriculars. Most schools offer virtual tours on their sites. Also check the site for schedules for information sessions and sign up in advance, if required.

Online Platforms: These college search platforms offer tools which allow you to see admissions outcomes for prior graduates from your same high school, giving you the opportunity to compare your credentials (GPA and test scores) with those of previous applicants. Online college search platforms such as NAVIANCE, SCOIR and MaiaLearning are accessible to students in subscribing high schools.

Although each of these resources are helpful, please do not rely exclusively on only one. Using a combination of the above will lead to a thorough search and ultimately, help you to create a balanced list of schools to which to apply.