Keerthi Yalamanchili ’17
EE Senior Features Editor
1. Meet with your guidance counselor. He/She will be able to assist you with the whole process. What I have compiled below is all stuff that I’ve received from my own guidance counselor at Trumbull High or advice I have gotten from friends in college already. Meeting with them will allow you to gain more insight into the process, and they are there to help you! The College/Career Specialist, Ms. Bevacqua, (next to the College/Career center) is also a wonderful resource in assisting you throughout the year.
2. Narrow down the list of colleges that you are considering attending. If possible, visit them to have a clearer idea of whether or not you want to apply there. If that isn’t an option, scout their website to find information on their applicant pool and maybe even take a virtual campus tour. Talk to your guidance counselor about what you are looking for in a school to get some more options too.
3. Secure the teacher(s) that will be writing your letters of recommendation. It is always better to ask them before the summer starts, so that it isn’t too last minute.
4. Make sure that you meet your prospective college’s admission requirements. If you do not, adjust your senior year schedule to meet them or prepare for the exams that you need to take and send them after the summer. If there is a major issue that you and your counselor cannot fix, send an email/make a phone call to admissions to see if they can make an exception – the contact information is always on the college’s website.
5. Plan out what you want to do this summer. Whether you are looking at getting a job, volunteering, or anything else that would expand your high school experience, not only will it impress colleges, but it will give you a good return for your time (whether it be in cash or in experience). It will also help you out with your college essay. Make sure that it is something that you will enjoy doing, because that’s what the summertime is for.
6. Prepare for standardized testing. There is your one last shot at taking whatever exam you wish to take in the early months of your senior year, and summer prep will definitely help you achieve the score that you want. Don’t worry, preparing for a couple hours won’t rip your summer away from you.
7. Develop a resume. A resume is a record of your accomplishments, activities, and work experiences. It is a crucial part of your college application and it will help to have it done and set aside before application season hits.
8. Craft a financial aid plan. The FAFSA4caster financial aid estimator will help you determine how much aid you can receive when going to college. Compare the results to the actual costs at the colleges to which you will apply. In addition, research scholarships and start applying for the ones that open early. This form of financial aid provides money for college that doesn’t need to be repaid, but are generally selective and have in application/interview process. Starting and planning which scholarships you apply for will save you rush time in senior year.