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Overview:
Below you will find information on the following topics:
Beginning the Process
The Search
Applications
Forms and Checklist for Applications
Additional Information
Beginning the Process
All students, especially juniors, should take advantage of SKHS visits with college representatives offered each fall semester. Listen to what is new at their schools and ask any questions you want about being a student there or applying: SKHS College Representative Visits
Make a plan to make the most of your standardized testing opportunities
Take the PSAT in October of junior year to either qualify for National Merit Scholar status or to practice for the SAT
Use the PSAT results to make a plan to maximize your spring SAT score
Access targeted practice through College Board and Khan Academy
Take multiple, timed practice tests
By spring of junior year, your college search should be underway. As you begin, seeing a timeline of the various steps of preparing and applying may be helpful:
Month-to-Month Calendar to Keep Students on Track YOG 2026
The Search
Use a search engine, such as one in Xello or Big Future from College Board to both find schools with the qualities you are looking for and understand how likely you are to be accepted to schools. Every student has a Xello account in their Google Waffle.
Use the criteria in the search engine to narrow your focus and build lists of schools you are interested in. Understand your likelihood of acceptance by comparing your GPA on a 4.0 scale and your ACT or SAT scores relative to colleges’ averages for accepted students. Regardless of your GPA or standardized test scores, your likelihood of acceptance may be low based on how selective the school is. The most selective schools deny acceptance to some students who meet or even exceed the average GPA and test scores.
Just because a college is difficult to get into does not make it a good fit for you. This is an interesting white paper from the Stanford Graduate School of Education: Why College Engagement Matters More than Selectivity.
The more information you gain, the more you can narrow your search.
Use a site like Niche to see what students report about professors and how they review their experiences at different colleges.
If at all possible, visit, take and tour and explore campuses!
Use colleges' virtual tours on their websites before visiting or if you cannot easily get to a campus
(click on the word Applications for more details)
(click on the word Applications for more details)
THINGS TO DO TO COMPLETE A COLLEGE APPLICATION
TO-DO LIST - information needed by YOUR SCHOOL COUNSELOR:
You will need to complete this TRANSCRIPT REQUEST (ready in September 2025) form for EACH COLLEGE you apply
School Counselor Letter of Recommendation
Make a copy of the Who Am I? doc, complete it, and email it to your school counselor
Submit 3 IN-HOUSE Teacher Evaluation Forms. Please note that these would be three teachers who are NOT writing you a letter of recommendation.
Please return 2 WEEKS (10 school days) BEFORE THE DEADLINE
TO-DO LIST - information needed by YOUR TEACHERS:
Teacher Letter of Recommendation
Ask two teachers if they would be willing to write you a letter of recommendation
Copy, complete, and email the Request for Teacher Recommendation doc to the two teachers
Invite teachers via Common App or link to college applications
TO-DO LIST completed BY THE STUDENT
Complete the application for the post-secondary school (many use Common Application online)
TIPS ON WRITING THE ESSAY - after you write the essay, have many people read it for creativity, grammar and punctuation
If required, official SAT and/or ACT scores must be sent directly from College Board or ACT to the Admissions Office; Consider choosing four post-secondary schools to send your scores, as you receive "4 for free" as part of the test-taking fee.
To improve SAT scores, students can link their College Board account to Khan Academy and receive individualized instruction on how to improve on future tests.
****PLEASE BE AWARE OF ALL DEADLINES WHEN COMPLETING AND SUBMITTING YOUR COLLEGE APPLICATION
Additional information you might find helpful:
Additional information you might find helpful:
What do teachers think about when writing my letter? On the second page of this form, review the characteristics that teachers consider when completing a letter of recommendation and the teacher section of the Common Application.
Factors to Consider When Choosing a Post-Secondary School
College Application Terms Defined
Deciding on Early Decision or Early Action or Regular Decision
Common App Completion Made Simple
Month-to-Month Calendar to Keep Students on Track YOG 2026
Many post-secondary schools have decided to be SAT/ACT optional: Review the Fair Test Website for a list of schools that are currently test optional.
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