Resources

AUGUST 

• Build Relationships: Talk with the people in your life about your interest in college. Ask adults about their own college experiences and their career paths. 

• Get Involved and Create a Log: Learn about clubs and organizations at MRHS and in the community, and get involved in things that interest you. If you work or volunteer, keep track of your time, supervisor names, activity names, etc. 

OCTOBER

• Use your Resources: If you're struggling with high school classes, talk with your teachers to figure out how you can do better. Talk with your parent(s) or counselor about things that may be bothering you. 

NOVEMBER

• Join Mailing Lists: Sign up for mailing lists or follow social media accounts of colleges that spark your interest. Mailing lists are a great way to stay informed about events in the area and information you should know as a prospective student. 

DECEMBER

• Self-Reflect: Keep a journal for self-reflection. Write about what's going on in your life and reflect on your academic and non-academic goals. This can be as frequent or infrequent as you want! Self-reflection can help you discover your interests and monitor your progress on your goals. 

JANUARY/FEBRUARY

• Learn about Scholarships: It's never too early to start saving money for college! Explore local, state and national scholarships. While many scholarships are for upperclassmen, there are plenty available to freshmen. 

• Meet with your Counselor: Discuss your interest in attending college and develop a high school degree plan. Challenge yourself by taking KAP, AP and/or Dual Credit courses. Ask yourself: What are my academic and non-academic goals?

MARCH/APRIL

• Spring Break Activities: Spring is a great season to explore new interests! Read a new book, learn a new hobby or skill, research summer activities, tour a college campus, visit a museum...grow! 

MAY

• Wrap up the Year: Finish freshman year strong! Colleges will look at your entire high school transcript, so while you're ready to head into summer, stay focused. Keep making plans to reach your goals or explore interests in the summer. 

JUNE/JULY

• Summer Activities: During the summer, consider attending academic or special interest camps, classes or trainings. If you volunteer or work a summer job, keep your resume updated. Apply for a summer research program that interests you. 

1. I have to know what I want to major in when I go to college.

Myth. Though knowing what you want to study is helpful, it is not required. Some colleges require students to select a major as an incoming freshman while others don't require this until during or even after your freshman year of college.

2. I need to take AP/advanced classes to be accepted to a university.

Myth. Although taking rigorous courses is very strongly recommended, it's not always a requirement for admission. Research the colleges you're considering to determine what may be the best fit for you. Most often, it is best to take advanced courses because those are the courses that will prepare you to be successful in college. 

3. Some universities consider demonstrated interest in their admission decisions.  

Fact. Some colleges consider interest while others do not. For example, UT does not track interest while Rice University does. It's always a good idea to reach out to the schools you're interested in to ask questions and learn information about their programs and resources. 

YOURSELF

Preparing for college can feel intimidating. Use the self-reflection questions below to begin learning about your interests and passions and to discover what you may want to do after high school.

• Which subject in school interests me most and why?

• What activities outside of classwork do I enjoy most and why?

• Would I like to learn more about and/or pursue my favorite class subject or activity after high school?

• What is my dream career?

• Does my dream job required a college degree?

OTHERS

Talking with family members, teachers, counselors and mentors is a great way to learn more about the college experience. The earlier you start asking questions, the more informed you'll be when it's time to make your own decisions. Get started by asking the questions below from college graduates you know. 

• What made you decide to go to college?

• How did you decide what you wanted to study in college?

• Were you nervous about going to college? If so, what helped you overcome those fears?

• What advice would you give me as someone who may be interested in applying to college one day?

• Who would be the best person to reach out to for support during this stage of my college preparation?

At the beginning of high school, communicate with your family about your college plans. Talk to them about your meetings with your counselor or college counselors and any goals you set in those meetings. Keep them updated on your four-year plan and how it changes throughout high school. Tell them about activities and organizations you're involved in, and let them know the classes you like and which classes you don't like. 

Even if no one in your family has attended college, they can still help! Use the questions below to get the conversation started. 

• Can you help me with the college search and prep process?

• Can we start visiting colleges together?

• How do I set goals, and what goals should I start setting for college?

• Can we discuss financial planning for college?

• Can we look into college scholarships together?

• How and when did you decide what career to choose?

As you begin your college search, it's a good idea to start thinking about how you'll fund your education. 

• Consider getting a part-time or summer job. Set a goal for yourself to put a certain amount of those earnings in a college savings account. 

• Start researching scholarships that you can apply for as a high school freshman. Some colleges have micro-scholarship programs where you can earn scholarships for doing certain activities throughout all four years of high school.

• Begin to have conversations with your family about paying for college. Some questions you may want to ask include:

  • What do your parents expect to contribute toward your college expenses?

  • Is there a budget you should keep in mind when researching colleges?

  • Should you expect to take out student loans?

  • Are you able to use any veterans benefits to fund your education (e.g. G.I. Bill, Hazelwood Act, etc.)?

Summer is a great time to relax and explore your college interests. Colleges often host camp during the summer that can be good ways to learn more about your academic interests, explore colleges and meet new friends. Camps will typically have scholarships to make them more affordable, and some may even be free. 

• UT Austin offers summer camps for students with a wide range of interests. After your freshman year, you'll be able to apply to the following programs. 

  • Interested in Computer Science? Consider applying to the First Bytes Summer Camp, Code Longhorn, Cybersecurity Boot Camp or Virtual Robotics Camp.

  • Ready to explore the health professions? Check out Dell Medical School's Health Sciences Summer Camps. 

  • Planning to become the next great director? Explore the Moody College of Communication's Radio-Television-Film camps.

AUGUST 

• Continue Involvement: If you enjoyed the activities you did in 9th grade, continue them! You may have new interests or options now, so explore clubs and organizations available to you. Keep track of your involvement on your resume. 

SEPTEMBER

• Join Mailing Lists: Sign up for mailing lists or follow social media accounts of colleges that spark your interest. Mailing lists are a great way to stay informed about events in the area and information you should know as a prospective student. You may have already signed up for some last year, but this is an opportunity to explore other schools you like. 

• Prepare for the PSAT: The Pre-SAT (PSAT) is a practice version of the SAT test by College Board. Do your best on this test because it will give you a starting point to prepare for the SAT you'll take junior year, and the SAT impacts both college admissions and scholarship eligibility. Additionally, doing very well on the PSAT can lead to major scholarships! 

OCTOBER

• Take the PSAT: The PSAT has multiple timed sections with brief breaks in between. Bring pencils and a light jacket in case the room is cold. Try to relax as much as possible and aim to do your best. The results of this test will give you an idea of which academic areas you may need to improve and study before taking the SAT next year.  

• Keep Applying for Scholarships. This should be a continual task throughout high school. Set aside time each month to apply for scholarships. 

NOVEMBER/DECEMBER

• Connect with Family: This month is a great time to update your family on the progress you've made in school and preparing for college. Discuss how they can be involved in the process and ways they can support you. 

• Check your Email. Start getting into the habit of regularly checking your emails. Colleges and universities may be reaching out to you with more information about their programs. This will be beneficial information to you as you continue to explore your interest in going to college to pursue a degree. You can also use this as an opportunity to practice writing emails using appropriate formatting. 

JANUARY/FEBRUARY

• New Semester: Start getting into a rhythm for the new year and semester after your winter break. If you have a resolution for the new year, work on setting smaller goals to help you maintain it. Smalls goals are great for staying on track to achieve academic and non-academic success.  

• Meet with your Counselor: Discuss your interest in attending college and develop a high school degree plan. Challenge yourself by taking KAP, AP and/or Dual Credit courses. Ask yourself: What adjustments do I need to make to my course plan to prepare for my post-secondary goals?

MARCH/APRIL

• Spring Break Activities: Like last year, spring is a great season to explore new things. Read a new book, learn a new hobby or skill, research summer activities, tour a college campus, visit a museum...grow! 

MAY

• Wrap up the Year: You've worked hard all year and are probably ready for summer break. Continue doing your best! Keep making plans to reach your goals or explore interests in the summer. 

JUNE/JULY

• Summer Activities: Continue doing the types of activities you did last summer. If possible, visit colleges in the Houston area for an info session and tour. Make note of what you do and don't like about the campus. Take time to research in-state and out-of-state schools, and speak with your family/friends about your interests.

1. My preferred major to study in college doesn't have to match my career interest.

Fact. While you may benefit from your major aligning with your career interest in some cases, it is generally not something that is necessary. You should study the academic fields that interest you most while in college. Use the skills you develop and career services on campus to help you plan and prepare for your desired career. 

2. I should be involved in as many extracurricular activities as possible to make my application stand out.

Myth. It is okay to be involved in and dedicated to a few activities over a longer period of time. Taking part in a lot of activities is time consuming and you may not actually enjoy everything that much. College admissions committees can tell you if you participate in lots of activities just to bulk up your resume or if they are actually important and meaningful to you.  

YOURSELF

Now that you have a year of high school completed, you should begin thinking about the steps you can take to set yourself apart from your fellow classmates. The following self-reflection questions can help you determine how you can begin taking on new challenges and developing good habits. In terms of schoolwork, ask yourself:

• In which subject do I excel? Why does this subject seem easy to me?

• Which subject do I struggle with most? Why does this subject seem difficult to me?

• How can I utilize the skills I have in my easiest subject to help me improve my skills in my most difficult subject?

• In the classes in which I do best, are there more ways I can take on leadership roles to assist my teacher or classmates?

• In the classes in which I don't excel as much, are there more ways I can reach out for help from my teacher or classmates?

If you're involved in sports, clubs, band, theater, etc., ask yourself:

• Am I taking on leadership roles in the activities in which I am involved?

• Am I passionate about the things in which I'm involved? Is this something I would like to continue to pursue?

• Are there ways I can improve at my activity?

• Am I effective at balancing my time between school and extracurricular activities? If so, what skills do I utilize to maintain that balance?

OTHERS

Sophomore year is not only a time to start challenging yourself; it's also a time to use the resources around you. Your family, teachers, counselors, mentors, and even friends can all give you useful advice and help you stay on top of your responsibilities. The following questions are just some of the ways your support system can start to assist you during this time. 

• What are some of the best ways I can study for the PSAT?

• Do the colleges I am interested in offer spring break/summer programs for sophomore students?

• What is the difference between a junior college and a four-year university?

• How can I visit local colleges and universities?

• Are there any summer job/internship opportunities to which I can apply?

• Who would be the best person to reach out to for support during this stage of my college preparation?

Continue to communicate with your family about your college plans. Talk to them about your meetings with your counselor or college counselors and any goals you set in those meetings. Keep them updated on your four-year plan and how it changes throughout high school. Tell them about activities and organizations you're involved in, and let them know the classes you like and which classes you don't like. 

This is a great time to advance your knowledge of the professions in your family! Ask the following questions to learn more. 

• What are your job responsibilities?

• What kinds of problems do you solve?

• What have you accomplished at work?

• How does your job fit into the company/field's purpose?

• How did you become interested in this career choice?

• How much school/training does this job require?

You can also ask if they would be willing to let you observe or shadow them at work. Use this time to figure out what you would and would not be interested in doing as a career by observing and asking questions. Your family can also help you prepare for the PSAT. Talk about what the PSAT is and how you need to prepare. Explain why the PSAT is important. Determine if you should use a test preparation company to take a course or research opportunities to take a free practice test. Together you can research the most cost-effective ways to study and which materials you will need to invest in for the best outcome. You can also discuss important test-taking strategies that may require their support, like getting a good night's sleep before the test and eating healthy food the night before and the morning of the test. 

In the spring and summer, start thinking about which colleges might interest you. Start local during the school year. During spring break and the summer, visit schools that are further away. As you interact with colleges, use your contact information instead of your parents'. 

Preparing for the PSAT 

To get ready for the PSAT, prepare yourself by looking at sample questions and taking practice tests. Both of those resources can be found on College Board's website. Keep these tips in mind when studying for the PSAT:

• Get a baseline score by taking a full-length practice test. Try to mimic the testing environment as much as possible by being in a quiet room, avoiding distractions and following timing guidelines. 

• Looking at your practice test score, set a goal score for yourself that you can work toward. 

• Analyze your problem areas and build a study plan based on improving these areas.

• When making your study plan, try to avoid cramming and set realistic goals. For example, try setting aside 30 minutes each day over a period of several weeks rather than four hours the night before. 

• Use your resources. Check to see if there are PSAT bootcamps in Katy, check out PSAT prep books and search online for study tools from sources like Khan Academy. 

Setting up your Email

Colleges will frequently communicate with you via email, so it is important to maintain your email account. 

• If you need to set up an email account, make sure your email is professional and write down your password.

• Create separate folders in your account for messages from colleges, test providers (ACT, College Board, etc.) and scholarships. 

• When you sign up for college mailing lists, use the same email so you'll receive important messages all in one place. 

• Also use the same email when registering for tests, applying for scholarships, and applying for summer camps. 

• Get in the habit of checking your email often - a few times per week is ideal! 

• Open new emails and flag emails that contain important updates or that you would like to look at again. 

AUGUST

• Re-Evaluate Plans: Meet with your counselor to review your high school plan and adjust as necessary. Discuss new goals or ideas you have, and make sure the classes you take help you meet basic prerequisites for college, if applicable. *Ideally, this will happen during course selection sophomore year. It may be too late to make class changes at this time due to master schedule constraints. 

SEPTEMBER

• Remain Involved: Stay involved in previous clubs, organizations and activities you enjoy. Feel free to join new things, but make sure to do it for the right reasons. It's ok to be involved in just a few activities if those are the ones you like best. Don't feel like you need to be in tons of activities to stand out on college applications. Depth matters more than breadth. 

• Prepare for the PSAT: The Pre-SAT (PSAT) is a practice version of the SAT test by College Board. Do your best on this test because it will give you a starting point to prepare for the SAT you'll take in the spring semester, and the SAT impacts both college admissions and scholarship eligibility. 

OCTOBER

• Take the PSAT: The PSAT has multiple timed sections with brief breaks in between. Bring pencils and a light jacket in case the room is cold. Try to relax as much as possible and aim to do your best. The results of this test will give you an idea of which academic areas you may need to improve and study before taking the SAT next semester.  

• Research Colleges: Seek help from family, friends and teachers/counselors to learn more about which colleges have opportunities in fields that interest you. Visit their websites and make a list of those that interest you most and about which you'd like to learn more. As you find colleges you like, compare your GPA and PSAT score with their admissions requirements so you can set an SAT goal. 

• Keep Applying for Scholarships. This should be a continual task throughout high school. Set aside time each month to apply for scholarships. 

NOVEMBER/DECEMBER

• Plan Visits. Start talking to your family and asking your counselor about planning college visits. Visit schools if you will be traveling during the holidays and breaks. College visits can be excused absences (though, in KISD, they still count against exemptions), so make sure you get a campus visit note if you'll miss school. Can't visit in person? Check out virtual tour options!  

JANUARY

• Join Mailing Lists: Sign up for the college mailing lists of the schools you're interested in. You may already be receiving emails from universities if you indicated that you would like for schools to access your contact information on the PSAT. Mailing lists are a great way for schools to let you know when they will be in your area and share events or information you should know about.   

FEBRUARY

• Meet with your Counselor: Discuss your interest in attending college and plan which courses you will tak e senior year. Challenge yourself by taking KAP, AP and/or Dual Credit courses. Ask yourself: What adjustments do I need to make to my course plan to prepare for my post-secondary goals?

• Prepare Portfolio or Resume: Creating a portfolio or resume of your work and accomplishments is a good idea. Portfolios/resumes are not always required for college admissions, but they are helpful to reference as you write essays and fill out college applications. 

MARCH/APRIL

• Take the SAT: The SAT and ACT are standardized tests that are required by many colleges for their admissions application. Although it is not required to take both the SAT and ACT, familiarize yourself with the format of each test as well as the testing requirements for the colleges you're considering. All juniors will take the SAT at school in March. Students are required to register for any additional tests. 

• Essay Preparation: Review the application essay writing prompts for the colleges/universities in which you are interested and practice responding to them. Have a teacher or counselor look over your samples and ask for feedback. Essay prompts are not always the same each year, but this will help you prepare for a specific style of writing. 

• Spring Break Activities: Like last year, spring is a great season to explore new things. Read a new book, learn a new hobby or skill, research summer activities, tour a college campus, visit a museum...grow! 

JUNE/JULY

• Rank Colleges: Begin ranking the colleges that interest you and make note of their application requirements and deadlines. You may need letters of recommendation for admissions, so this is a good time to ask people if they would be willing to write one for you. If possible, visit colleges outside of the Houston area if there are any on your list. 

• Retake the SAT: Depending on how you feel about your SAT/ACT scores, you may want to look into taking the test(s) again. (*Mrs. Boyle strongly recommends retaking the test!). Email Mrs. Boyle for a testing fee waiver if you qualify. 

• Summer Activities: Continue participating in summer activities as you have been throughout high school.

• Prepare for College Applications: Create your Common App account and set up your application profile so you're ready to apply when applications open on August 1st! 

1. Every college has different admissions requirements.

Fact. Every school requires different application materials, so you'll want to stay organized if applying to multiple colleges. Research admission requirements and make sure you have a balanced list of reach, target and solid colleges. 

2. Some universities conduct interviews as part of their admissions process.

Fact. While most colleges do not require interviews, many do. If you are contacted for an interview, remember to be honest and to be yourself. Interviews are just another way admission committees get to know you better. 

3. I can use the same essay for each college application.

Myth. Essay prompts are not the same for every application. That's why it is important to review the prompts early and begin working on them early. You may be writing multiple essays that are completely different from each other. 

4. I should still try hard in my senior classes even though I will have already submitted my college applications.

Fact. You should always try to do your best in school! Additionally, some schools you apply to may ask for a mid-year transcript to track your progress. Additionally, admissions offers are conditional and can be revoked if your final transcript shows a drastic change from the rest of your transcript. 

YOURSELF

You've finally arrived at your junior year, and it's crunch time! There are further resources in the additional resources section that will help you break down the important qualities of each university in which you are interested. It's important to remember what you truly want for your future. The questions will help you reflect on your personal goals, interests and aspirations. 

• What would my friends/family say is my one true passion?

• What are some things I would like to accomplish in college?

• In what career can I see myself being happy and successful?

• Which high school activities would I like to continue to participate in college?

OTHERS

Now more than ever is the time to reach out to your support system for guidance. Preparing to apply for college can be stressful, so utilizing the people around you is a great way to alleviate some of that pressure you may be putting on yourself. The following questions are a good way to start reaching out to your teachers, counselors, mentors and even family/friends to help while taking the next steps to prepare for college. 

• How should I prepare for the SAT/ACT?

• How do I begin building a resume?

• Are there any specific scholarships to which I should apply?

• How should I sign up for a campus visit at a university I am interested in?

• What questions should I be asking my admissions counselor?

• What are some good ways to relieve stress while preparing to apply for college?

• Who would be the best person to reach out to for support during this stage of my college preparation?

Shadowing

As you move through the fall of your 11th grade year, ask family and family friends about their careers. Will they let you shadow them? Begin to network! This can be a great opportunity to meet people who can write letters of recommendation for you in the future. Continue to reflect on experiences - what did you learn about yourself and this career?

Understanding your Academic and Career Interests

Look back on all your experiences - shadowing, volunteering, classwork, etc. - and start thinking about career interests. Think about what majors can lead you to your dream career. You can explore majors on each college's website, often listed in the Academics section of college websites. Share your thoughts about your future career and major ideas with your family. This is a great opportunity for discussion, guidance and support. 

Explore College Options

Doing the above will help you in exploring colleges. Include your family in this research by asking their advice on what to look for in a college. Discuss different ideas such as location, class size, available majors and resources available at the college. Look at the university's facts and figures. You should feel comfortable with the college that you go to, but it's also important that your family feels comfortable sending you there. When doing research, don't forget to get the facts about cost of attendance and explore financial aid options. 

Visit Colleges Together

Start visiting colleges that are nearby during the school year. During spring break and summer break, visit schools that are further away. Together, you can come up with questions that you should be asking your tour guides and presenters during your visit. Keep a running list and ranking of the colleges that you're interested in once you've visited. Look into their admissions requirements and think about how to best prepare yourself for the application cycle. 

Applying to College

In the spring. you should begin gathering materials for your college applications (resumes, essays, letters of recommendation, test scores, etc.). When you start working on your resume or portfolio, consider asking yout parents or guardians to look over your resume. They may know what a good resume should look like and may remember things you forgot to include. When brainstorming essay topics, they may be able to help you come up with good ideas to organize your thoughts or provide insight into how others see you. 

SAT/ACT Testing

If you're planning to submit test scores with your application, your family can also play a significant role in your SAT/ACT preparations. Sit down together and talk about what the SAT/ACT is and how you need to prepare. Explain why the SAT/ACT is important. Take a look at your PSAT scores to determine if you should take a test prep course or if self-studying will suffice. Together, you can researh the most cost-effective ways to study and which materials you should invest in for the best outcome. You can also discuss important test-taking strategies that may require their support, e.g. good "brain food" to eat the night before or the morning of. 

Creating a Resume

Colleges and scholarships will often ask for a resume during the application process. It is helpful to begin creating your resume now so you can stay organized and reference it as you write essays. You can easily create a resume by listing your experiences and accomplishments in SchooLinks! 

• Create a list of your educational credentials, extracurricular activities, awards/distinctions, community service, jobs/internships, summer activities and skills from throughout high school. These areas will make up parts of your resume.

  • In the educational credentials section, include information about your courses, like AP or dual credit courses. 

  • Note the number of years you have been involved in your activities, the hours per week you're involved in each activity and leadership positions. 

  • Tally up all the hours you have volunteered for each cause under your community service. 

  • Under skills, list things like languages you can speak or knowledge of software programs/coding languages. 

• The list you made above will make up the substance of your resume and should be separated by headings. SchooLinks will do this automatically for you! 

• Once you have checked over your resume, have a parent, counselor or teacher look over it to make sure you have included all of your accomplishments. 

Preparing for the SAT/ACT

Getting ready to take the SAT and/or ACT can be stressful, but following the steps below will allow you to develop a study strategy and feel better prepared. 

• Begin by taking a practice test to get a baseline score and to get accustomed to the testing format. College Board and ACT both offer free practice tests that you can find online. With your baseline score, set a goal score for yourself. 

• Identify those areas of the test upon which you can improve. See if there are any commonalities in the type of questions you have missed. Do they cover similar subject areas? Do they have the same question style?

• Build a study plan to work on these areas of improvement. Be reasonable with your study plan in determining how often and how long you would like to study. Avoid cramming and trying to leave all of your test prep to the last minute! 

  • Use your resources to help you study. Many are listed in Canvas! 

  • Check the library for test prep books. 

  • Check the local library to see if they offer test prep bootcamps. 

  • Download the official SAT app to get practice questions at your fingertips. 

  • Use Khan Academy's free official SAT Practice website to take practice tests and receive a personalized study plan. 

• Continue to take practice tests to see how your score changes and to get accustomed to the testing format. 

• As you prepare, remember to reward yourself for your hard work! Make time for your favorite activities, practice self-care and celebrate your score accomplishments. 

Planning Campus Visits 

One of the best ways to research a college is by visiting its campus. Before you visit a campus, try to complete the following steps to make your visit a success. 

• When you register for your campus visit, look to see if the college offer any other information sessions. Most colleges will also offer about living on campus, their academic colleges/schools and specific majors/programs. 

  • Try to maximize your time on campus by attending as many sessions that interest you as possible but avoid overloading yourself. 

• Register early (think 1-2 weeks in advance) to ensure that you can secure a spot in any information sessions the day you are planning to visit. 

• You may want to register several weeks in advance if you are hoping to visit a college around a holiday weekend or spring break. 

• In the days before your visit, consistently check your email for any updated about the time, location and status of your visit. 

• Before your visit, write down any questions you may want to ask so you will be prepared to talk with a campus representative. 

• Make sure you bring something to write with and a notebook to jot down important information you learn during your visit. 

• Check the weather before your visit to make sure you are dressed accordingly, especially if you plan on going on a walking tour. 

• If time permits, try to explore the area around campus as well. This will give you a feel for what being a student at that college is like beyond the campus experience. 

• If you plan on traveling a longer distance for a college visit, try doing a practice visit at a nearby college so you know what the experience is like and can learn from any mistakes (e.g. forgetting to ask certain questions, not doing research beforehand, etc.). 

  • If you plan to go to college outside of Texas, apply for college fly-in opportunities the summer before senior year. You can Google search these, get information by being signed up for the college's mailing list, and/or paying attention to emails and Canvas announcements from Mrs. Boyle. 

Asking for Letters of Recommendation

The summer after your junior year can be a good time to connect with people you'd like to ask to write you a letter of recommendation. Here are answers to common FAQs about letters of recommendation. 

• Who should write my letter of recommendation? The best person to write you a letter of recommendation is someone who knows you well and can speak to your character. A teacher, coach, counselor, community leader or employer are all suitable people to ask. 

  • The only people you should NEVER ask are family members! 

• When should I ask my recommender? You should ask at least two weeks before you need the letter. If you're asking someone from school, it's a good idea to ask prior to summer break when they have a more relaxed schedule. However, in KISD, recommenders have to submit letters through SchooLinks, and KISD students don't have access to the College Application Manager in SchooLinks until August before senior year. Writers can have letters written prior to this time, but students won't be able to send the official request until August prior to senior year. 

• How should I ask my recommender? It's best to ask in person, but you can also send an email request. When you are asking, specify why you are asking that person in particular and be polite. Do not assume the person will write your letter. 

• What information should I provide to my recommender? Let the writer recommender know you will submit the official request in SchooLinks in August and that they will receive an email from SchooLinks with a link to upload their letter. It is also helpful to provide your recommender with a resume or brag sheet and the reason you are applying to college and/or what you plan to study. Provide your recommender with a date/time window that you would like that letter of recommendation. 

• What do I need to do after the letter has been submitted? Make sure the college has recevied the letter of recommendation by checking both SchooLinks and the college application portal. Thank your recommender with an email or handwritten card. They took the time to write you a letter, so take the time to show them you appreciate their effort!