Admissions

College application process is about more than just applications. It starts in your 9th grade year when you begin building up a good GPA; in your 10th grade year when you prepare for the PSAT/ACT exam and get involved with community service; and in your 11th grade year when you take your SAT/ACT exam and visit different colleges. Your senior year will be your most busy year, filling out applications, collect letters of recommendation, and look for scholarships etc.

There are many different ways to prepare for the application process, and there is no ONE way to ensure you will get into your desired school. A general pattern that you should try to stay with during your years in high school is:

9th Grade

• Do well in all your classes to start building up your GPA
• Start getting involved in clubs and sports at your school
• Start looking for community service opportunities
• Try to identify your area of interest (Science, Math, English, etc) in school

10th Grade

• Plan to take the PSAT
• Maintain a good GPA in school
• Pass your MCAS Exam
• Keep involving yourself in local community services
• Look for internships and volunteer positions in area(s) that you may want to study
• Take on leadership roles in clubs or organizations that you are in
• Attend as many college fairs as possible
• Schedule a SAT/ACT testing date

11th Grade

• Take the SAT/ACT as soon as you can
• Maintain good GPA in school
• Take Advanced Placement classes if you can
• Maintain your good record of community service and extracurricular activities
• Develop good relationship with different teachers in different subjects
• Look for possible scholarships or awards
• Attend college fairs and talk to potential universities/colleges that you want to attend
• Make a list of your strong areas of interest (writing, art, biology)
• Start visiting local universities/colleges if possible
• Talk to your advisor/counselor about college and financial aid planning
• Visit your school’s career center if applicable

12th Grade

Summer before senior year

• Take your SAT/ACT if you have not taken them
• Visit colleges that interest you
• Finalize list of universities/colleges that you plan to apply (come up with 2-3 safety) schools
• Continue researching scholarships and awards
• Keep a list of deadlines, requirements, etc of colleges you plan to apply to

Fall of senior year

• Maintain your GPA
• Maintain your record of volunteering and club/sport activities
• Start working on your college application as soon as you can
• Talk to your counselor/advisor about your college plan and request transcripts
• Request letters of recommendation from teachers you have formed relationships with
• Review your finished applications. Revise your personal statement carefully and ask your English teachers to proof-read it
• Pay attention to colleges/universities’ different application deadlines
• Use your thanksgiving/winter break to finish your college applications

Spring of Senior year

• Don’t get senioritis! Maintain a good GPA. Colleges want to see strong 3rd and 4th quarter grades
• Maintain your record of volunteer services and leadership roles
• Talk to your counselor/advisor about financial aid. Submit your applications to federal and state financial aid by their respective deadline.
• Apply for as many scholarships and awards as you can.
• Prepare for college and/or scholarship interviews.
• Admission letters start arriving from early March to late June. Read the admission letter carefully to response appropriately to each school’s request(s).
• Study hard for final exams. Most admission offers depend on your final grades.
• Thank your counselor, teachers, coaches, and anyone else who wrote you recommendations or otherwise helped with your college applications.

Summer after your Senior year

• Go through your school’s checklist: Request final transcripts to be sent to your new college/university
• Check out your new college/university website for information on admissions, financial aid, class schedules, housing, etc.
• If you have to travel to your school, book your ticket, pack your personal belongings, and find a method of transportation to get there
• Attend college welcome events and orientation. Talk to current students or your new advisor/counselor to plan your first semester’s class schedule
• Enjoy your summer before you go off to college

Why should you further your education after high school? Learn more about it through our presentation, “After High School, then what?” (pdf format)

For additional information on application to colleges/universities, please visit http://www.collegeboard.com/student/apply/the-application/index.html

For information on Personal Statement, please visit http://www.collegeboard.com/student/apply/essay-skills/index.html

For information on How to obtain good letter of recommendation, please visit
http://www.gocollege.com/admissions/applications/letters-of-recommendation.html
http://www.collegeboard.com/student/apply/the-application/119.html

Related Article about letter of recommendation
http://www.psichi.org/pubs/articles/article_135.asp