Formal college planning begins in January of junior year, when students engage in workshops followed by individual and small group meetings with their assigned counselor.

SEPTEMBER

• • Use Khan Academy to practice for the PSAT.

  • Get your materials and experiences organized with an Activities & Accomplishments worksheet!

    • Resume Template - organizes relevant information - 1-2 pages only. Watch: How to Craft a Resume

      • General Resume

      • Creative Writing Resume

      • Creative Writing #2 Resume

      • Dance Resume

      • Interdisciplinary Arts Resume

      • Music Resume

      • Visual Arts Resume

      • Film and New Media Resume

      • Singer Songwriter Resume

      • Theatre Resume

    • Repertoire List/Music Resume - highlights the music you have studied.

    • Artist Statement - describes what, how, and why you make your art.

    • Portfolio - showcase your technical, creative and conceptual abilities.

OCTOBER

• • Take the PSAT/NMSQT October. It provides students first-hand practice for the SAT I: Reasoning Test. It also allows students scoring in the top 1% an opportunity to enter the National Merit Scholarship Corporation (NMSC) scholarship programs.

  • Interlochen will register all juniors for this exam.

  • Research Colleges - Read US News: Apply to College

    • Attend the Virtual Visual and Performing Arts College Fair.

    • College Fair Checklist - Questions to Ask representatives

    • Tips on how to interact with College Admissions Representatives

    • Podcast: "WHAT COLLEGES ARE LOOKING FOR: FACTS AND MYTHS ABOUT THE APPLICATION PROCESS"

  • For students interested in taking Advanced Placement Exams, please register prior to October 15th.

JANUARY - MARCH

• • Review mid-year transcripts. Check classes and grades.

  • Group Workshops:

    • Review PSAT results and discuss SAT/ACT test preparation

    • Naviance tasks to prepare for senior year.

    • IO Fall Presentation: How to Stand Out and Get In: Writing a Great College Essay, Resume, and Application!

    • Junior Meeting Webinar -Spring 2021 Recording

    • Junior Testing Overview -Spring 2021 Letter

  • Discuss possible college and/or conservatory options with artistic instructors and directors.

  • Make an appointment for your first individual counseling conference with your college counselor to discuss:

    • • Plan senior curriculum.

      • Review testing timeline and register for the SAT, ACT, and/or TOEFL. Students must have or create an account to register. All SAT national exam dates are offered at Interlochen. ACT is offered once in March on the campus of Interlochen.

VISIT COLLEGES - ANYTIME

• • Unfortunately college visits won't be possible while IAA is in session. It is our top priority to ensure our students safety, therefore; have chosen to prohibit students leaving and returning to campus. Now what?

  • What should I do if I can't physically visit a school?

    • • Schedule a Talk - Admissions office are happy to facilitate a Zoom session with a current student.

      • Take a Virtual Tour - The majority of colleges now offer virtual tours—ranging from slideshows to videos—showing prospective students what life on campus looks like from the comfort and convenience of their computer screen. Call or check online for virtual tours and visits.

      • Take a Lesson - Reaching out to instructors directly to arrange a lesson can be a great way to get a sense of the instructor's style.

      • Discover Blogger and Vloggers - In the same vein as virtual tours, many colleges also have current students blogging about day-to-day life on campus; for example, here is Harvard University’s Student Blog. Similar to student blogs are vlogs (video blogs)—a quick search of YouTube reveals a vast number of self-produced vlogs offering a look at a day in the life of students at colleges across the nation.

      • Follow on Social Media - Following schools of interest on social media is another great strategy for discovering life on campus without visiting it in person. The majority of colleges maintain Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter accounts, which they use to share events and activities on campus, along with providing insight into the values of an institution, as many colleges are using social media to highlight what makes them unique.

      • Attend Interlochen's College Fair - Interlochen host's two college fairs, one in October and the other in July. Over 100 schools from across the nation are in attendance to discuss their arts programs. There are many college fairs to choose from and all are free so get out there and explore!

APRIL - MAY

• • Attend workshop where you will begin to determine which application you should use: Common Application, Coalition Application, Common Black College Application, UCAS Application, SUNY, CUNY, etc. or apply directly to the college or conservatory using their website.

  • Work within English classes to write an admissions essays: Common App Essay/Personal statement and/or College Specific questions.

    • Example: Why NYU?

    • Example: John Hopkins University - Essays that worked!

  • Work within majors to create an Activity/Resume/Repertoire list (See September links)

  • Discuss cost and affordability as a family to determine the range of finances needed at most schools. Use tools and calculators to estimate cost of attendance, estimated family contribution, compare schools, etc.

  • Discuss cost of application/audition fees, audition trips (travel, food, lodging) and begin to budget toward those costs.

  • Continue to create preliminary list of colleges within Naviance.

    • What to consider when choosing a college or conservatory (Powerpoint)

    • Use the College Organizational Chart to stay organized

  • Request letters of recommendation (See Naviance Tasks to obtain the form).

    • • Letter of Recommendation Request Form

      • How to ask for a Letter of Recommendation

  • ACT (if not taken earlier or wish to take it a second time).

  • TOEFL (non native English speakers only).

  • Advanced Placement (AP) exams, as appropriate.

  • SAT Reasoning (if not taken earlier or wish to take it a second time).

JUNE

• • SAT Reasoning or SAT Subject Tests - Do I even need to take these? See College List

SUMMER

• • Engage in camps, intensives, and institutes

  • Consider getting a job or volunteering

  • Visit college campuses, interview or take lessons when available

  • Continue work on the Common App - Remember to link your Common App to Naviance

  • Utilize Khan Academy to prepare for the SAT

  • Work on college essays and supplemental questions

  • Online Learning Opportunities - Summer Letter

Responsibilities

Student:

• Register for SAT/ACT exams

• Send SAT/ACT scores to schools after applications are complete

• Register for AP exams (if applicable)

• Request recommendations

• Completing college applications

• Develop college essay(s)

• Talk with arts faculty about college choices

Parent:

• Help student arrange travel for college visits and auditions

• Pay for SAT/ACT exam fees

• Discuss future plans with student so all are on the same page (financially, geographically, academically, artistically)

School/Counselor:

• Register students for fall PSAT

• Help student schedule classes

• Ensure all graduation and college requirements will be met

• Arrange transportation to/from ACT

• Assist student in creating college list