If you are a Junior now is the time to begin to fully engage in your college process. To help you do this we have a few key action steps that you can work on now, and through the summer.
ASK TEACHERS FOR RECOMMENDATIONS
With a few exceptions most of you will need two teacher recommendations. NOW is the time to approach to teachers; by fall they are often overwhelmed with requests. If you ask now you will give your teachers plenty of time to write a superior recommendation. CLICK HERE for more information on what to consider before deciding on whom to ask for a recommendation.
SIGN UP WITH COLLEGES TO RECEIVE INFORMATION
If you are interested in a school spend some time exploring its website and be sure to sign up on the Admissions page to receive more information. This accomplishes two goals: You get updates from the college, and you make yourself known to colleges that track demonstrated interest.
CLICK HERE for a sample Admissions form.
CLICK HERE for more information about demonstrated interest.
PLAN COLLEGE VISITS
Summer is a great time to see colleges. You may not visit every college in which you are interested, but you can arrange to see a variety of schools and develop a better sense of what you are looking for in a school. You can sign up for an official tour on each college’s website, but don’t be afraid to do an impromptu visit if you happen to be vacationing near a college campus. CLICK HERE for more information on college visits.
UPDATE YOUR RESUME
A good resume can help you in several ways. First, some colleges will ask for you resume, so you want to have a polished version ready to go. Having a good resume will also make completing the activities section of your college application a breeze since you will have all that information in front of you. Additionally, if you are going to be doing college interviews, you’ll want to have a copy of your resume with you. Some interviewers will directly ask for it (especially alumni interviewers), and having a copy to offer during an interview shows you put thought and preparation into your interview. Finally, if you are applying for a summer job, an internship or an academic program you will need a resume handy.
CREATE AN ACCOUNT WITH THE COMMON APPLICATION AND/OR THE COALITION APPLICATION
Depending on your college list you will very likely use one or both of these application platforms. Yes, there is a lot of material to fill out, but the good news is that both applications allow you to create an account now and begin to fill out the information section of the the application even before you have a final college list. Taking the time to do this now will save you lots of time in the fall when you really want to be concentrating on your college essays and your senior classes.
CLICK HERE for a link to the Common Application
CLICK HERE for a link to the Coalition Application