Grade 11 Programming

College Application Planning Information for 11th Graders

Fall:

• • • Stay on track with your classes and grades. Meet with your counselor to see what you still need to take and check your GPA. Even if your grades haven’t been that good so far, it’s never too late to improve. Colleges like to see an upward trend.

    • Take the PSAT. Taking the test qualifies you for the National Merit Scholarship program, which means you could earn money for college. In addition, it’s a good way to practice for the SAT.

    • Evaluate your education options. Now is the time to follow a more specific path. Decide whether you want to pursue full-time employment, further education or training (such as a vocational-technical school, or two-year or four-year college), or a military career. Talk to your School Counselor if you have any questions.

    • Keep gathering college information. Go to college fairs, attend college rep visits, and speak with college representatives who visit; use an online college finder and search top college lists (like Naviance or College Board). You may be able to narrow your choices or add a school to your list.

    • Organize a testing plan. Figure out when you’ll be taking important tests like the SAT, ACT, SAT Subject Tests, and AP exams, and mark the dates on your calendar. You’ll want to have plenty of time to prepare. Don't forget to register in advance!

    • Make sure you’re meeting any special requirements. If you want to play Division I or II sports in college, start the certification process and check with your counselor to make sure you’re taking a core curriculum that meets NCAA requirements.

Spring:

• • • Take the SAT now or in the summer, if you haven't yet. 

    • Start narrowing down your college choices. Make sure you have all the information you need about the colleges you’re interested in (entrance requirements, tuition, room and board costs, course offerings, student activities, financial aid, etc.). Then begin comparing the schools by the factors that are most important to you and rank your choices. Start by making sure they have your major!

    • Talk to your family. Have a discussion about the colleges you’re interested in. Your family can learn about what you want to pursue and you can hear any concerns or suggestions they might have.

    • Prepare a challenging schedule for senior year. Meet with your counselor to determine what classes you’ll take next year and to make sure you’re on track for graduation. 

    • Contact your recommendation writers. Teachers are often asked to write recommendations for lots of students. Consider whom you want to ask now and let them know so they’ll have time to prepare before getting tons of requests in the fall. Ask teachers who know you well and who will have positive things to say. 

    • Apply for a summer job or internship. Summer employment and internships in fields you’re interested in will look appealing on a college application or resume.

    • Set up appointments at your top college choices if they are available. You’ll often have to plan ahead when visiting colleges. Call the admissions office to set up a personal interview, tour, and a meeting with a professor or coach if you’re interested. 

Summer:

• • • Visit colleges. Visit the campuses of your top five college choices. Take a tour and speak with the admissions and financial aid staff. 

    • Get advice from other college students. If you have friends or relatives in college, talk to them about what college life is like, especially if they attend a school you’re interested in. Although it’s important to hear what the admissions staff has to say about a school, it’s also important to get the students’ perspective.

    • Organize your financial aid information. Develop a plan that includes a list of the aid sources, requirements for each application, and a timetable for meeting the filing deadlines. Getting organized will make the process of applying a lot easier because you’ll know where to find important information. Information can be found on the LMHS School Counseling website, through the October Financial Aid Night, and through your college's Financial Aid Office. 

    • Start working on your application essays. Compose rough drafts of the essays you’ll need for your college applications. Have a teacher read and discuss them with you so you can see what to work on. Make any revisions to your application essays and prepare final drafts. Don’t forget to proofread your final essays a few times.

    • Make early decision preparations. If you plan to apply early decision to any school, take the time to visit the school again and make sure you’re willing to commit. If you elect to apply early decision, you should start working on your application as soon as possible because its deadline will be earlier than others.

1-ON-1 JUNIOR COLLEGE CONFERENCES

Junior Conferences with your counselor are coming up from January 11th to February 16th!  These conferences are an opportunity to discuss your academic progress, college goals, and future plans. During this conference you can:

• Set academic goals for the upcoming semester to prepare for the college push

• Develop a plan for your college and career goals

• Ask any questions you have about the college search/application process

Contact Mrs. Sadowski at rsadowski@lmtsd.org or stop down to the Counseling Office to schedule your conference.