It’s time to get serious! What should you be doing now?

Fall:

• Focus on your grades! This year matters beyond all others.
  • Take an AP/DE class or two if you can manage it successfully (for highly selective colleges, you should consider 3 APs).
• Start seeking leadership opportunities within your activities.
• In October: Take the PSAT. This time, the test can qualify you for National Merit recognition.
• Research colleges in earnest and start building your list:
  • Meet with reps that visit EMS and sign up via Scoir
  • Attend college fairs (most are virtual right now)
  • Visit colleges: register on the college’s website; my recommendation: look for open houses, which offer a more comprehensive experience
  • See my handout for visit & rep meeting suggestions.
  • Use Scoir to search for colleges and add them to your “Following” list.

Winter/Spring:

• Attend my info seminar: Preparing for the College Application Process (Date/Time TBA)
• Meet with me (parents/guardians welcome) to discuss your plans (I’ll start booking meetings in early spring).
• Take the SAT and/or ACT at least once (I recommend taking both to see which is stronger, and then retake that test Senior year).
• Plan your senior course load carefully. Make sure you continue to show increasing/sustained rigor. Consider adding a study hall first trimester to allow for time to complete college applications.
• Figure out what you’re doing this summer: work, volunteer, take a class . . . this is your last summer to do something you can add to your college applications.