Rising Seniors, Gear Up for College Applications This Summer!
Make your senior year easier by preparing for college applications this summer!
Make sure you have the test score you need.
Finalize your college list.
Bulk up your college resume with meaningful activities.
Get a head start on your college essay.
Make the most of your summer and get a head start on your college applications!
Juniors, you have a big summer ahead of you! The summer before your senior year is the perfect time to make things easier and get a leg up on preparing for your college applications. By the time August rolls around, you want to have a clear plan for what you need to do, which colleges you want to apply to, and what to write in your applications!
If you’re not sure what you should be doing this summer, here are some starting points to get you on the path to college admissions success!
Keep studying for the SAT/ACT
For many students, you may be ready to put your SAT/ACT studying days behind you, but not so fast!
If you haven’t earned an SAT/ACT score that you are 100% happy with and/or met the SAT/ACT score requirements for colleges and financial aid programs, this summer or the first semester of your senior year will be your final few chances to study hard and re-take the test for a higher score.
Remember to find and sign up for the summer and fall testing dates and keep your brain sharp with practice, practice, and more practice!
Make your final college list
You’ve probably started considering colleges that you would like to apply to; summer is the perfect time to finalize that list and have a clear goal in mind!
There are thousands of colleges in the US (even more if you want to study abroad), and the average high school senior applies to 5 -10 schools, so take some time to do some serious research and self-reflection.
Don’t even know where to start? Here are a few things to start considering:
Location: Do you want to attend college in a city or rural setting? Do you like the East Coast or are you looking for a warmer place like the West Coast?
School Size: Do you thrive in a tight-knit community with smaller classrooms? Or do you prefer larger schools with a huge population and a lot of possibilities?
Academic Strength: Does the college have the major you want? How highly ranked is it in the major of your choice?
Affordability: Is the tuition within your budget? Does the college offer financial aid? Remember to factor in things like housing, transportation, etc.
College Life: Do you like the college atmosphere? Do you see yourself fitting in and making friends?
Competitiveness: How selective is the school? You want to have healthy mix of schools that you think you have a high chance of getting into and schools that are a bit out of reach.
You’ll be in college for the next few years of your life, so be thorough with your research! Check out the school’s websites, use college rating websites, ask for insight from family and friends, and (if you can) visit campuses so you can be confident with your final choices!
Start looking for financial aid and scholarships
There are numerous types of financial aid packages and scholarships to help you out, but competition is fierce and they run out fast.
The earlier you start your research, the higher your chances of finding something that you qualify for and fits your needs. You can start by looking at a scholarship database and the Federal Student Aid website (which you may know as FAFSA®).
There are also a number of universities that offer full rides and full tuition scholarships based on merit that you can research and consider for your college list.
Do an activity to boost your college resume
You’ve probably been involved in various clubs and activities in school during your high school career, but colleges also like to see students make the most of their summers!
Do something that shows you are willing to work hard and tackle challenges. Some ideas to consider are:
A summer job or internship
Working on a personal project like starting a business, fundraising for a cause, or writing a book
Competing in a athletic, arts, or academic competition
Taking college-level courses
Bonus: any project, event, or other activity that you lead can be a great topic for a college essay, so work hard and make sure whatever activity you choose is meaningful to you!
Consider your college essay
Your college essay is a core component of your college application because it is a personal statement; it gives college admission officers a peek into into your personality, values, and other characteristics you want them to consider when looking at your application!
Summer is a perfect time to brainstorm and consider what you want to write about. Look up the essay topics for the colleges you are interested in applying to, research some sample essays online, consider what you would like colleges to know about, and do some self-reflection. For more inspiration, check out our blog post on writing your college essay.
Final Thoughts
Even if you take only one of the above steps to prepare for your college applications during the summer, your future self will thank you when your senior year quickly fills up with classes, homework, extra curriculars, and more!
Last, but not least, don’t forget to take some time to relax and enjoy your summer! Get recharged and ready to tackle your senior year!
