college: how to get prepared

The prospect of going to college is quickly approaching for many of Edgewood’s students. For some, this could mean already beginning the application process to get into their desired schools, and for others, this could mean doing everything possible now to stand out for admissions officers later. For wherever you are in the process, here are some recommendations to help you be as prepared as possible for your next monumental journey.

The SAT and the ACT

Two of the acronyms that you will hear the most when talking about college admissions are the infamous SAT and ACT. For those unfamiliar, these are two standardized tests consisting of reading, grammar, math, and in the case of the ACT, science. For many admissions officers, the SAT and ACT are vital in making decisions about whether or not to admit students, and are used primarily due to their standardized nature. Every student who takes these two exams will be put under the same “standard” testing conditions as any other student across the country, and even the world.

Those students looking to stand out in college should shoot for the stars in terms of their scores. Studying and practice are incredibly important in gaining the score you may need for this aspect of your application, so do not discount it.

In light of the COVID-19 pandemic, many universities are suspending their requirement for prospective students (specifically the class of 2021) to submit SAT and ACT scores. This year, The College Board has also requested universities not to hold a lower score against applicants, due to the inability of some students to retest for a higher score.

While this may take much of the stress off of the next Edgewood graduating class, many of the schools in the state of Florida will still be looking at SAT and ACT scores that are submitted by applicants. Florida is one of the only states in the nation to stand unwavering in its application requirement for students to submit scores in order to be considered. That being said, there are still things that you can do to be prepared.

According to College Board, the creators of the SAT, “starting early, studying for free with the Official SAT Practice on Khan Academy, taking at least one full length practice test, paying attention in your high school classes, and knowing what to expect on test day” are the best things you can do to do well on your SAT.

The Course Load

One of the biggest things you will hear about throughout your time both in middle school and high school is that your courses matter. What you take, when you take them, and how you perform in them are some of the most important aspects of your academic portfolio.

Colleges recommend that students take a challenging course load with some AP, Honors, and Dual Enrollment classes. Performing well in these difficult classes presents a more pleasing image of you than if your schedule was full of regular, non-honors classes. Additionally, having these courses shows schools that you are ready to do more difficult coursework, which is exactly what college is.

Speaking with a guidance counselor or working with your parents to determine a course schedule that is right for you can benefit you in the long term. Having the grades you need to get into college is important and compromising on your class performance could lead to rejection letters later down the road. Choose wisely!

Extracurriculars

We’ve all heard that extracurriculars are important, but just how important are they? Sometimes in the process of preparing for college, students think it is a good idea to push all of these commitments to the side to focus on getting an “A” in all of their courses. In fact, extracurriculars are much more important than you may realize.

“Extracurriculars also play a part when you apply to colleges,” according to College Board. “Most college applications ask about your activities. That’s because the things you do in your free time reveal a lot about you - in ways that grades and test scores can’t. Your accomplishments outside the classroom show what you’re passionate about and that you have qualities valued by colleges.”

Choosing the right extracurriculars are also important to keep in mind, and at a school like Edgewood with so many options to choose from, finding the right ones that will make you stand out and that you have an interest in can end up being a difficult decision.

For those who have already gotten involved in their fair share of clubs, you are off to a great start and have put yourself in a wonderful position to apply to college. Just remember, keep it up.

For the students who have yet to get involved with extracurriculars, do not worry! Everyone starts this journey at different places in their high school career, and even despite COVID-19, there are still opportunities to get involved with club extracurriculars. Here are a few at Edgewood open to join during this school year:

Middle School and High School

• Surf Club

• Investment Club (ability for e-learners to join is coming soon)

High School Only

• Key Club

• High School Book Club

Middle School Only

• Middle School Book Club

College Essays

Seniors, this one’s for you! The college essay might be the most dreaded part of applying to your dream school, but being prepared for writing them, submitting them, and completely nailing them are big components of your application. And even though writing the perfect college essay is nowhere near simple, it is achievable.

Writing the college essay is incredibly important to many schools, but for some, students will find that they are entirely optional. Making the decision about whether to submit an essay accompanying your application is a difficult choice, but it is highly suggested that you spend the extra time and effort to construct one.

College Tours

With the COVID-19 pandemic, going places has become more and more difficult. Likewise, scheduling a college tour is nearly impossible. While most campuses are no longer offering campus tours indefinitely as a safety precaution, do not fret, because there are still ways to get to know the schools that you are most interested in.

At many college campuses, virtual everything has become all the rage.

At the University of North Florida, the Ospreys dove into action with the help of their “Swoop Squad” to bring prospective students a live tour of the campus. These Squad members are tour guides that can provide an insider’s perspective of what it is like to learn at their school. Enrolling in a live virtual tour will take interested students around the campus to see what their dream school may look like.

At the University of Central Florida, they are making it easier than ever to learn about their campus. So easy, in fact, that you can do it sitting on your couch eating popcorn. That’s right, the university has put together a series of live informational presentations and panels that allow interested students to explore what means to be a Knight. At these panels, interested students and parents alike will have the chance to ask questions and meet with staff that know more than their fair share about the school.

No matter whether you are a Senior working on your college applications or a just-starting-out 7th grader, you can enroll in any of these events to learn more to get an idea of where you may want to go to college.

For those in lower grades, in-person college tours may be available by the time you are starting your college search. If this is the case, going to see the campus in-person (and not through a computer screen) is a really great thing to file away for the future. Having the chance to actually visit a college lets you decide what you do or do not want for your “dream school.” Some students may find that the atmosphere they had previous interest in is not necessarily what they need or want to have in order to be successful. Additionally, going on a college tour can show schools that you really are interested.

Every student can Google information about a university, but to actually go there and talk to people at the school says that someone is seriously considering that campus to call home. It also says that you are willing to go to great lengths to find out about what they have to offer. Being able to say to a school “I went there and I know this is what I want” will speak numbers about you as an applicant. .

While your future may be unpredictable right now, it is definitely a smart move to keep your options open, as well as to put in the time and effort to learn about the colleges you are interested in. Do what you can, be informed, and go explore a little!