College Corner
Afterschool Meeting Times:
TBD
FAQ's
College
Pros and cons of different decision times?
Early decisions binds you to going there, so you have to be sure you want to go, but you'll know where youre going early on, and won't have to worry about it for the rest of the year. If you apply early action, it allows you more time to decide where you want to go. Regular decision allows you to work on your application longer, but you will have to choose a school closer to receiving your decision.
How do you reach out to colleges?
You can contact them through email, which can be found on their websites. You can usually find admissions officers emails, department heads, and sometimes you can find resources to reach out to other students. You can also show continued interest by opening their emails, emailing them, and following them on social media. This can show schools you're interested (and remain interested) in attending their school, and can help you with getting in based on the school!
How do you apply to colleges?
A lot of schools use the Common Application, which you'll have to create an account to use. Some schools have their own systems, like the University of California schools. You can also apply with the schools, but using CommonApp is easier since all your information only has to be input once. You have to put in your contact information, an essay, your extracurriculars and community service. Some schools also allow you to put in a resume, which you can use to add a little bit more information about your activities. You also have to pay most of the time, but if a school sends an email to you, it might allow you to apply for free. You also might be able to apply for free if you are applying early decision/action.
What do colleges look for on applications?
Colleges look at your application wholistically, which means that they look at ALL parts of your application, not just your grades. While they look at grades, they like to see that you have dedicated a lot of your time to a specific activities, and that you're active in your community. You want to make sure to highlight your individuality and talk about unique experiences you might have had in your essays.
What do colleges look for in an essay?
In a CommonApp essay, schools aren't looking to see that you know big words or have done hard classes, they want to know about you. Try to talk about a challenge you overcame, or a different experience you had that other people might not have encountered, and how those things have changed you. They can see what you have achieved in other parts of your applicaiton, that essay is the best way for them to see YOU, not a number. For essays that are school specific, you should find things online (or on a tour) that you really liked, and things that you can see yourself doing. If you have toured, try to mention something you saw specifically you saw, and if you haven't, try to mention something you want to see or experience at the school.
How do you find information on the schools?
Schools always have websites that you can look at, but sometimes it can be hard to find information. Another way you can find information is through social media, and if you have access, through talking to older students. You can look up specific things you want to know about a school, and that will make it easier. There are also websites like Niche that can help you find schools you might be a good fit for based on different criteria.
Scholarships
How do you know which schools take which scholarships?
The schools should have financial aid pages in which you can find information about merit scholarships and which scholarships they will take in terms of outside scholarships.
What do you need to apply to scholarships?
Every scholarship has different requirements, but some typical things that they ask for are your transcript, a resume, and usually an essay about a topic of their choice. Some of them have eligibility requirements like GPA and community service hours.
How do you find scholarships that are best for you?
You can search for specific scholarships, but there a lot for each major, and as long as you're willing to put a little bit of work in, you can find a lot to apply to! There is also a list of scholarships on this website based on different criteria, which you can find here:
Senior Year
What is the workload like?
The workload will all depend on what classes you're taking and what activities you're doing. It can feel like a lot towards the end of the year when you're close to done, but you have to keep putting effort in so you can do senior projects, which you need to be passing all classes for the year and for Quarter 4 to do.
What's the timeline for senior year?
The start of the year is busy, and can feel overwhelming if you wait until the last minute. You have to apply to college and try to apply for scholarships if you have time. After November or December, it's just a waiting game, which can be frustrating, but you can use that time to apply for scholarships and spend time with friends. Then you hear from colleges and make a choice, at which point you start doing your final senior stuff, like senior projects and marching practice. You can find more information about the specific timeline here:
What is the criteria for senior projects and senior release?
In order to have senior release, you have to have completed all of your community service or have an outlined plan to complete it. You have to get a form signed by your parents and approval from the counseling department at the beginning of the year. For senior project, you can either make your own, or choose from a list. In order to do the project, you have to be passing all classes overall and in Quarter 4. If you're taking an SMCC class at the school (excluding full year SMCC classes), you still have to go into school in order to attend and pass those classes.
Upperclassman Advice
Visit schools early to figure out what you like for schools. Not everything can be found online!
You should be searching for scholarships throughout the year so you have more opportunities to earn money and you should familiarize yourself with the financial packages from each school.
Have a list of questions you can ask on tours and ask admissions offices.
Make sure you dedicate time to applications so you don't run out of time around the holidays.
Make a spreadsheet or document to help you with deadlines and the college application process.
GET EVERYTHING DONE EARLY! It's not worth it to wait until the last minute!
Don't forget to fill out the FAFSA.
Figure out which AP Credits your school can take from their websites.
Ask questions! Ask your counselor, friends, or older students you know!
Don't worry about a schools ranking, it's not everything! Just because it's not a top 10 school doesn't mean it's not a good fit for you.
Go to the school visits at the school. It's a good way to learn more about schools and about the environment!