Recently, the school counseling team met with 11th graders to look ahead and begin preparing for the college application and post-secondary planning process. The junior year is a major milestone, and we want to ensure every student feels well-equipped as they transition into their senior year. If you are considering applying to college, this post outlines goals for you and your caregivers to work on over the summer.
Our Main Summer Goal: Building Your College List
The primary goal we have set for all college-bound students over this summer break is to generate a concrete list of schools they are interested in attending.
Taking the time to research colleges over the summer will significantly reduce pressure during the busy fall semester. We want students to explore institutions that align with their academic goals, campus preferences, and financial considerations.
Recommended Summer Resources
We have compiled a set of essential resources that we have found useful for the college application process. We highly encourage students and parents to review and use these tools together over the summer months. We also have paper copies available for anyone interested.
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BigFuture College Search Tool: A fantastic starting point to filter colleges by location, major, campus life, and admissions requirements to discover schools that fit your preferences.
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College Comparison Spreadsheet: A structured layout to help you track application deadlines, average GPA requirements, tuition costs, and personal pros/cons side by side.
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Admissions and Aid Timeline for High School Students: A comprehensive roadmap detailing when to take standardized tests, gather recommendations, and submit financial aid materials.
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Senior Year Month-Month Planning Checklist: A step-by-step guide breaking down exactly what tasks need to be accomplished each month of senior year to keep you on schedule.
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College Entrance Essay: Guidance on brainstorming and structuring a compelling personal statement that highlights your unique story to admissions committees.
Enjoy the summer break. Please don't hesitate to reach out if you have any questions as you begin your research.
Kindly,
The School Counseling Department