SENIOR PLANNING POINTERS

 

Congratulations on the completion of your junior year!  Whatever your summer plans involve, please be sure to invest time in your college and career searches over your summer break.  I realize that everyone in your class is at a different stage of the planning process.  Some juniors already have the list of colleges they plan to apply to in October.  Others are still trying to figure out where to begin.  Below, you will find some pointers that have been designed to help you work through the process.  If you can complete all of the suggestions over the summer, you will be in excellent shape in September.

 

                                                Sign up for the Class of 2008 Yahoo Group

                                                Develop and narrow down your list of colleges

Things to do this summer:      Identify recommendation writers

                                                Update your resume

                                                Register for fall SAT/ACT (if appropriate)

                                     

Sign up for the Class of 2008 Yahoo Group (LGHS2008)

To join, send an email to LGHS2008-subscribe@yahoogroups.com.  You will receive a confirmation email back to the email address you used to send the email.  This group will provide two excellent resources to all who have signed up: 1) timely emails about issues related to the college search and application process, and 2) a group web site with useful links, calendars, forms, and more that relate to your college-related tasks.  Sign up yourself and a parent today and stay in the loop!

 

College List            Developing an appropriate list of schools is at the heart of any successful college planning process.  Follow these three steps:

1. Identify the criteria that you are looking for.  For example:  “I’m looking for a four-year college located in NY, VT, MA, or NH that offers majors in electrical engineering and mechanical engineering.  I want the college to be looking for SAT scores in the 1100-1150 range.  It needs to have a soccer program as well.”

 

2.  Identify schools that match your criteria  Using on-line resources, produce a list of colleges that offer what you’re looking for.  Numerous web sites provide search tools that will generate a list of colleges based on the criteria you select. Visit www.lkgeorge.org/collegeinfo for quick links to these search engines.  I have also enclosed a short survey from My College Options that can help you find schools you might like.  To participate in the survey, complete the form and return it to me at school by July 1st.  My College Options will provide you with a list of schools that match your criteria, and you’ll have access to numerous resources through their website to follow up on your list.

 

3.  Research these colleges Make sure you are on the mailing list of each college that you want to learn more about.  Write, email, or call each college and request that they send you a college viewbook and course catalog.  Schedule visits to as many campuses on your list as possible.  Visit their web sites.  Learn about their admissions policies and application procedures.  The more you can learn about each school, the better able you will be to compare their strengths and weaknesses.  Create a chart or table that organizes the information so you can quickly compare colleges to each other.  Use whatever information you can get to rank your colleges in order of preference.

 

Try to narrow down your list of colleges to between five and ten schools by September.  This will allow you to focus your time and energy early in senior year  on applying so your applications can be ready to mail by around Thanksgiving. (Remember that if you are considering applying under Early Decision, application deadlines can be as early as November 1st or 15th.)

 

Recommendations  Most colleges will want at least one letter of recommend-ation from a teacher; some will want more.  Many scholarships also require a recommendation as a part of their application process.   Identify the two teachers that could provide the most favorable recommendation on your behalf.  Take into account what they’ve seen regarding the quality of your work, your work ethic, and your personality.  Once you return to school, ask each person on your list if they would be willing to write a recommendation for you.  Plan ahead by asking the writer at least 3-4 weeks before you need the letter.  Don’t make the process stressful by asking them close to an application deadline, and be sure to send them a thank you note once the recommendation is finished.  In addition, complete and return the counselor recommendation packet (available at www.lkgeorge.org/collegeinfo).

 

Resume      Make sure you have updated your resume to include any junior year information.  Your resume should list information about your academics (GPA, special courses taken), extracurricular activities (clubs, organizations, sports, arts.  Include any leadership positions you’ve held), awards and honors received (academic, extra-curricular), and work experience (volunteer and paid).  Please give me a copy of your updated resume--knowing what you’ve been involved with helps me match you up with potential scholarships.  It also helps me write a better recommendation.  Your resume can also be included in college and scholarship applications and given to those who you’ve asked to write a recommendation (see above).  Using a resume saves you time and helps make sure that you haven’t forgotten any important information.

 

Register for the SAT or ACT, if appropriate  If you want to retake either the SAT I or ACT, or if you didn’t take either one junior year, plan to take the test(s) early in the school year— Oct 6th  (SAT) and Sept. 15th (ACT) or Oct. 27th  (ACT).  Registration deadlines for these test dates are Sept. 10th  (SAT) and Aug. 10th or Sept. 27th (ACT), respectively. WHY WAIT!  Register on-line anytime after mid-July at www.collegeboard.com (SAT) or www.ACTstudent.org (ACT).  (credit card is required)  If you prefer the bubble form registration, call the guidance office in early August to make sure we’ve received the new registration forms and fill one out.  Students who use testing modifications (extended time, etc) should be sure to include their SSD number.  Fee-waivers are available to students who meet income guidelines.  Please call the guidance office or email lghsguidance@yahoo.com during the summer with your questions.

 

 

Research and planning over the summer will make your senior year more enjoyable!  The counseling center is open during the summer, so you’ll have access to all of its informational resources.  I’ll be scheduling your Senior Conference for late September into October.  At that meeting we’ll review your graduation requirements.  We’ll also talk about your college/career plans and what your next planning steps should be.  I hope your summer is enjoyable and provides both time to relax as well as time to plan for your future.  See you in September!

                                                                                      Sincerely,

 

                                                                                                            Mr. Preuss