PSAT & SAT
The PSAT is a practice test for the SAT, a standardized test required by some colleges. We recommend that any students considering college after high school take the PSAT in the Fall and the SAT in the Spring of 11th grade.
We will administer the PSAT this year on Wednesday, October 23rd from 8:00am to 12:00pm in the CEC (tech center). You can sign yourself or your student up for the PSAT using this sign-up form. There are 80 spots available.
Your PSAT score report will help you prepare for the SAT, offered at LUHS on Saturday, March 8th from 8:00am to 12:00pm in the Cafeteria. There is an additional October SAT for 12th graders hoping to improve their score.
The PSAT and SAT are now digital tests. All LUHS students have the necessary software for the test (BlueBook) pre-loaded onto their Chromebook.
The CollegeBoard website has a significant amount of information and free study resources for both tests. Khan Academy also has very strong (and free) test prep materials.
Dual Enrollment & Early College
Beginning in 11th grade, students have some opportunities to experience college-level academics for no cost. Dual Enrollment allows students to take 2 free college classes in 11th or 12th grade. Early College allows students to take a full college course load (4 Fall classes and 4 Spring classes) for free, and is only available to 12th graders.
Registration for Spring Dual Enrollment will take place in December, after Thanksgiving break
. Registration for Fall Dual Enrollment will take place in May and June.
Counselors will support students through this process and hold sessions during Office Hours when registration opens. The state's website is a good place for resources and their PDF Student Guide is a helpful way to familiarize yourself with the process.
Early College applications will open around March, with deadlines in June.
If you're considering this option, please plan to meet with your counselor to talk it over in more detail. In the meantime, the state's website is a good place to learn more, as well as the VT State and CCV websites.
Green Mountain Tech Center
Current GMTCC students should access Meaghan Parker for support in their tech programs, but their LUHS counselor can still help with academic planning for 12th grade and post-grad college/career planning.
Students can apply to a GMTCC program for 12th grade even if they did not in 11th grade. Applications typically open in December. Their website has great information about their programs and opportunities. Students will get all the credits they need toward graduation, and tech programs can feed into both the trades and college programs.
College Search & College Applications
Counselors provide comprehensive support to students through the college search and college application process. Here is a general overview of the timeline:
11th grade = Search.
You won't be filling out any applications until 12th grade, so Junior year is the time to be searching. You will want to think about what you're looking for in a college (academics, location, size, etc.), and then find colleges that meet those needs. Your counselors will be meeting with you in December and January to help with this, and resources like BigFuture and Niche are free anytime to help you research your choices.
We will be taking students to a college fair at St. Mike's on Wed. 10/9. A sign-up sheet will be available soon!
12th grade = Apply.
Counselors start meeting with Seniors in early September to discuss their application plan and timeline. We will meet regularly to complete required application tasks together until they are ready to submit.
Colleges typically have application deadlines in early November and early January, or they have rolling admissions (no deadline). If students have their list of colleges ready at the start of the year, it is typically possible to meet the November deadlines. Students who are still researching their options may be more comfortable planning for January deadlines or rolling applications. All of these options are completely valid timelines for submitting applications.
Students pursuing pathways other than college (about half of LUHS graduates) should still count on meeting with their counselor to talk through their post-graduation plans. We can provide support and guidance if you are unsure of your path, or have multiple options you're considering. If you know exactly what you're doing and don't need our help at all, we still want to know because we're annoying and we care about you :)