TOP 10 COLLEGE PREP TIPS:
JUNIOR EDITION
NARROW DOWN YOUR COLLEGE LIST
Remember that college list you made last year, well re-visit it and really think about what colleges you might want to attend. Typically people apply anywhere from 5-15 colleges. Luckily, through WSD you get FREE college applications due to the free and reduced lunch program. However, do not waste these vouchers. Apply to schools you actually are considering making home.
VISIT COLLEGES
In order to narrow down your college list you should try to visit some of the colleges you are thinking about applying to. Lucky for you, there are many free virtual tours available. However, if you want to get a feel for the town/city you may be going to school in see if your parents or a friend are up for a road trip!
update extracurricular log
Remember how we told you to write everything down? This is the moment you've been waiting for. Make sure you go over all of your extracurricular records and achievements, include everything, tally up the hours you spent doing each activity. This will be very helpful when compiling things for the Common App.
look for college scholarships
It isn't a secret that college is expensive. However, it is NOT out of reach with the right planning. Look on the VSAC website for Vermont Grants. Educate yourself on local loans from banks and other institutions. Often times there are scholarships for people who are applying to specific majors: for example women going into STEM, anyone thinking about nursing, or people going into business. It is all about finding what scholarships are right for you, the ones you actually have a shot at getting. Compile a google doc of all the scholarships you qualify for and their requirements/ due dates. CLICK HERE FOR A TEMPLATE
create a "fake" common app
No, do NOT go onto the college board website and create a real common app. However, what is on the common app is no secret. Create your list of extracurricular activities, write the descriptions for them. Write a few of the sample essays. Write a fake college application. That way, when the time comes, you will already have the experience, and it will be more of a re-draft and edit game, and you'll be far less likely to cram or get writer's block.
If you have any questions, let us know! We are here for YOU (:
tAKE A DUAL ENROLLMENT COURSE
Only two more years, one and a half until you're expected to apply to college. You are SO CLOSE. That being said, you should strongly consider using up one of your dual enrollment courses. You can take a course in the fall, spring, or summer! I do NOT recommend you take a winter course because they are shorter and tend to be overwhelming for someone who does not have any college experience. Not all dual enrollment courses will transfer into the college of your choice, so make sure that you check your prospective college's registrar page! Some of the most universally transferable courses are English, Sociology, Psychology, Statistics, and Medical Terminology.
We recommend taking your first course at CCV and your second at UVM so you can get a feel for how smaller and larger schools operate.
TALK TO YOUR GUIDANCE COUNSELOR
At this point in your life, you should be on a first-name basis with your guidance counselor. They should know what you're thinking about in terms of a college path. However, if that's not the case it is never too late to stop by and go over your college list with them! Your guidance counselor has connections to colleges that you may be unaware of, so it is very important that you sit down with them to discuss what you're dreams and wishes are.
take the sat/act
Not all schools require it, but if any of the schools you're thinking about do, you'll need to take the exam. Some schools even require subject tests, bet you're glad you made that college prep spreadsheet huh? It is recommended that you take the SAT/ACT in the Spring of your junior year and then the Summer/Fall of your Senior year.
ASK FOR LETTERS OF RECOMMENDATION
Oftentimes scholarship and college applications require letters of recommendation. This is where having a good relationship with your teachers comes in handy. Ask for a letter of recommendation from the teachers who know you best and will speak about you positively. When asking for a letter be specific. Do your research. Give the teacher the reason for the letter, what qualities specifically you hope they highlight, and ask them if they have any questions about you. Make sure they get the whole picture and can speak to ALL of your accomplishments, even the ones outside of school.
PLAN A PRODUCTIVE SUMMER
There are a ton of ways to spend this summer- do what is right for YOU. The minimum working age in Vermont is 14 so you could get a job to make some extra money. You can also use this time to figure out some more of your interests. Upward Bound is a great way to spend the summer and get some college experience! Maybe you love being outdoors and working with kids. See if any local camps are hiring or need a volunteer! (If you play basketball check out Spartan Hoop Camp). Take the time you need to recharge for the upcoming school year, but make this summer count!