10 Tips & To Do's

Seniors, here's what you need to do this Fall to prepare for college.
By Carol E. Wasden

1. Make sure your senior year is preparing you for college. Admissions officers are looking for serious students. Don't let a lighter schedule your senior year close the door to a college opportunity.
2. Finalize your list of colleges. Most of the colleges on your list should admit students with academic credentials similar to yours. Your goal is to be able to choose between multiple offers of admission in the spring. Don't be afraid to reach a little, but keep your counselor in the loop and keep your list balanced.
3. Demonstrate your interest at each college on your list. Make the time to meet with college representatives locally or on their campuses, or reply to correspondence from the college. If your application arrives without any history of your interest in the school, the admissions office can't be sure you're a serious candidate.
4. Prepare your résumé. Collect and list all of your extracurricular involvement in high school, and add a brief description for any activities that aren't self-explanatory. An admissions officer may not know what the "Green Key Society' is or why it's important.
5. Write your essay(s). One of the most common mistakes college applicants make is submitting an essay that doesn't answer the question asked on the application. Don't assume that one generic essay can be used or even modified for all schools; you may have to write more than one.
6. Ask teachers to write letters of recommendation for you. Though requirements will vary by college, a common scenario is to request recommendations from two of your junior year teachers, typically one from the humanities and one from math or science. Ask early, ask nicely, and thank them for their time!
7. Take any remaining standardized tests you need, and have your scores sent to the colleges on your list. If you complete any new testing in the fall, you will need to send your scores again, even if a college got your earlier test scores.
8. Use the same name on all of your application materials so colleges can match your credentials to your application. If your legal name is William, use William when you take your standardized tests and complete your application, and ask your teachers and counselors to do the same. Matching William's application with Will's test scores and Bill's recommendations can delay the review process.
9. Complete and submit your applications by the deadlines. Before you get started, gather all of the information you will need, including your counselor's name, phone, fax, and e-mail address and the school address, phone and fax numbers.
10. Continue to be the best student you can be. The best way to prepare yourself to do well in college is to enjoy your classes, keep your grades high, and continue to explore your interests.

Carol E. Wasden is director of college counseling at The Hockaday School in Texas.

This article is provided by The Next Step Magazine (nextSTEPmag.com), a publication that helps students prepare for life after high school.