Attention All High School Students

Summer is approaching and you’re probably thinking of all the fun things you’re going to do: meet your friends at the beach, sleep late, swim, travel, summer BBQs with family… Summer is also a good time to explore your interests and also try new things.  This is an opportunity to discover what you enjoy doing and how you can get involved. You may already have plans, but if you don’t, now is the time to consider looking into finding a job, an internship or a volunteer opportunity.

Start by stopping into your guidance office. They may have a list of resources and interesting positions, and also may know of postings. Check social media for postings as well. Your public library and local community center are also good places to continue your search.

You may also consider taking a class either at a local school or online. Choose an academic subject of particular interest or opt into something just for fun.

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

Line Up Your Recommendations

Juniors, recommendation letters are required by most colleges as part of your application. Think about which teachers know you best and ask them to write a letter on your behalf. Try to“ make this request in person, if possible.

Here’s how to request the best recommendations:

1. Ask before your summer break begins. 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.
2. Most colleges require a minimum of two letters of recommendation from your teachers and one from your guidance counselor. If possible, ask primary subject teachers from junior or senior year.
3. A recommendation will be more valuable if written by a teacher who knows what kind of learner you are.
4. Help your recommenders to write the most effective letters. 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. Help them write a letter that ties together all your related experiences.
5. 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.
6. 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 and they will, most likely, submit their letters electronically.
7. 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.

Discover Your Options

JUNIORS, beginning your college search process may seem like an overwhelming task. There are many free resources to help you get started and allow you to explore the many options available. By using these tools you will be be able to narrow down your search and focus in on the type of school that interests you.

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 in one place and meet admissions reps from a long list of schools.

COLLEGE GUIDES: College guides offer an easy way to review and compare basic facts such as GPA, SAT and ACT ranges, course requirements, tuition, study body demographics and feedback from students.

COLLEGE WEBSITES: College websites provide detailed info about a school’s student body, required curriculum, courses of study, tuition and financial aid, housing and extracurriculars. You’ll also find online photo galleries and virtual tours.

ONLINE PLATFORMS: Online search platforms such as NAVIANCE, SCOIR and MaiaLearning are accessible to students in subscribing high schools. These tools present admissions outcomes for graduates from the same high school, allowing current students the opportunity to compare their credentials (GPA and test scores) with those of previous applicants.

Although each of these resources are helpful, don’t rely exclusively on only one. Take your time and be thorough so you can learn about all the options available and what will work best for you in a college or university.

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.

Registration Reminder

Remember, today is the registration deadline for the June 4th SAT.

You Can Still Apply

Seniors, if you have not yet completed your applications or are not happy with your choices, the NACAC’s (National Association of College Admission Counseling) College Openings Update provides a list of hundreds of US colleges and universities with openings, financial aid and housing available to qualified freshman and/or transfer students for the Fall 2022 semester.

Use the Update to search for schools through the use of various filters including state and country.  Both public and private colleges and universities are included on the list. This is an excellent resource and will be updated as colleges and universities finalize their admissions numbers for 2022/23, so continue to check back. It’s never too late to apply!

It’s Time To Decide

National College Decision Day is quickly approaching. Seniors, you have a big decision to make by May 1! Check your email and your mailbox frequently, as the schools you’ve been admitted to have been and will continue to send you many important announcements.

There will be opportunities for you to meet your prospective classmates before your first day on campus. Alumni often host local get-togethers for admitted students from the same area to meet one another. Parents are sometimes invited to these local events as well. This is an opportunity for them to meet alumni and staff. Often, guest speakers share helpful advice on how to help you and your parents with your transition to college.

Many schools invite admitted students to special on-campus events. If you haven’t already attended one, these “admitted student” days offer a chance to take a good look at the campus, ask questions and meet your prospective classmates.   Take advantage of these opportunities, if you can, to get to know more about what the school has to offer and how you feel about attending.

Financial aid packages have already arrived. Make sure to check your mailbox for any follow up requests for information and forms the school requires you to complete.  If financial aid is an important piece of your decision, take the time to read through all mailings and understand the details. Be clear on how much is gift aid such as scholarships, grants and tuition waivers and how much requires repayment, and on what schedule.

Make your decision and be sure to send in your deposit by the May 1st deadline. Re-read your acceptance letter and any correspondence you received from the school to confirm that you’ve submitted all the required documents. Also, as a courtesy, don’t forget to notify other colleges that you won’t be attending.

Once you’re a member of the class of 2026, you’ll begin receiving lots of important and time sensitive mail requiring your attention. Be on the lookout for information and required forms regarding housing, roommate selection, course registration, orientation and summer events. Also, expect to hear from the health office, registrar and bursar. Check your mail regularly to be sure that you don’t miss any deadlines and opportunities.

Your mailbox is going to be full, so check for new daily!

Connect With Your New Community

Social media is a great way to connect with your future classmates, friends and potential roommates. Learn about the work professors are engaged in and the exciting paths alumni have taken. You can also stay up to date on what’s happening on your college campus so don’t wait to get started.

Facebook groups for your school will keep you up to date about group meet ups with future classmates in your area. You may find potential roommates and friends with common interests. You can also talk about the best classes to sign up for and post questions you may have about the college. Check the school’s Facebook page to stay current about deadlines for required forms, deposits and special programs.

LinkedIn University Pages offer the latest news from your school. These LinkedIn pages are also where you can read what alumni are doing, where they’re living, what fields they’ve gone into and the jobs they’ve had since their graduation. This is your future network.

Twitter accounts belonging to professors may be of interest. You can follow what they’re writing about, researching and learn about the latest news in their field. Campus organizations, including fraternities, sororities and clubs use Twitter to stay connected with the school community.

Look on Instagram for your college’s page and see what students are doing on campus now.

These are exciting times! You’ll be joining a new college community and it’s never too early to become an active member.

How to Ask for More Aid

Seniors, by now you have your acceptance letters and financial aid offers. As financial aid packages are not presented uniformly, it is essential to break down your offers and understand how much of your aid doesn’t have to be repaid, like grants and scholarships, and how much of your package is made up of loans which must be repaid. You should accept only the components that your family is comfortable with as your financial aid package is not an all or nothing offer.  For example, you can accept grants and scholarships and decline the loans that don’t make sense for you. In order to compare aid offers from one school to another, try using the worksheet provided in The College Bound Organizer to help you decide which package is the best for you and your family. 

If your decision depends on the aid package you were offered, the time to appeal is before the May 1st deposit deadline If your family’s financial situation has changed since you completed your FAFSA, share any new information in support of your appeal with your financial aid officer. Changes such as recent unemployment, medical expenses and a decrease in income may qualify you for more aid. In addition, if your package has too many loans and not enough gift aid, ask your rep to review your file again. Many colleges are open to increasing the amount of aid they offer.

Keep in mind the following when making your appeal:

• If your family’s financial circumstances have changed since you filled out your FAFSA that can help to make a credible appeal.
• If you have multiple admission offers, you can use that as a bargaining tool in your favor.
• If you received a more generous offer from another school, share that with the school you prefer.
• If you have a unique talent or skill or belong to a specific demographic group bring this to the attention of your financial aid officer when making your appeal.
• If you have very strong grades and test scores that may be a bargaining chip in your favor.
• Wait as close as possible to the May 1st response date to submit your decision to ensure you have received all of your final financial aid offers.

Your appeal letter needs to clearly convey why you are requesting an appeal. Ask you guidance counselor for help. Additionally, a great resource is SwiftStudent, a free online tool to help students file their financial aid appeals. This tool explains the appeal process and provides templates for you to use when writing your financial aid appeals letters to your colleges.

 

Registration Reminder

Remember, today is the registration deadline for the May 7th SAT.