The final year of high school, but wait its going to get harder before you're completely done. So ALPHA has brought together some helpful instructions of what you can do now to get ready for College applications and tests. Good Luck Seniors!
1. Look Up Colleges and Universities You're Interested In!
Do you know what you're going to study in college? If you do explore colleges that are known for that particular subject - they'll have the best programs, classes and professors. If not, don't sweat it! You can decide on a school by location, size, number of people, the majors offered, basically anything. But be warned! Use your information carefully and look through it a lot! Not only go to the school's provided website but check out rating on different web sites (like College Prowler or College Board). Also, if you have the chance try to visit the actual college - you'll get a feel for the campus and the environment which is very very important. If there are past classmates (upperclassmen) who go to the school you're interested in totally ask them what it's like and how they like it compared to other schools that they were considering. Knowing more is always the best way to go!!
2. Find Out What Your College Requires
Look up what you need to do for the application to your college. Some universities and colleges use CommonApp while some still have their own separate application. Depending on the school, some places ask you to take SAT 2 exams which are specific subject exams. Now is a good time to check around what SAT and ACT scores your schools usually except. However, don't get caught up with that part! Don't think you need to get that high score or your school won't accept you - SAT/ACT scores are a little portion to the whole package. It's better now to know what you have to do, plan your year accordingly.
3. Application Essays
Depending on schools, and even sometimes majors, you most likely have to write some kind of essay. There are two types of essays - the long question and short response. The majority of long essays are about you and why the school should take you over other people. You are basically selling yourself to the college or university. This is very important. What really makes you special and why does it matter? Another popular choice is how and why will the college or university will help you or how will you add to the school? The good thing about these basic long questions is that you can tweak it to fit several schools. The shorter response is more specific to the school and even the major - it's also pretty short only 100 to 200 words. One of my questions for my college was, "If you were to write the story of your life until now, what would you title it? Why? Please be brief". These questions are meant for you to be creative. I actually started writing basic essays in the summer - which is totally helpful (and a complete time saver). This let me focus on school work, and then get criticism from my family members and teachers. Try to start writing soon!! (No matter the prompt).
4. SAT or ACT?
A lot of schools these days accept the results of either test. I personally like the ACT better, but to each their own. Both tests are actually designed to see if you can survive your first year in college - weird right? To prep for either test buy or borrow a prep book - those seem to be the most helpful. Not only does it give you practice tests but it also extends some tips and advice. Starting earlier is beneficial I heard but some people really don't work like that (I would know I'm one of them). Don't get yourself down if you've done bad on the PSAT or the actual SAT or ACT. Each test is a new slate. Besides SAT/ACT isn't entirely what school look at - in fact its one of the more minor details. Actually school grade and the rigor of the course work is at the top along with your application essays. And then comes SAT/ACT and extracurricular activities (well, it depends on the school). You should still be concerned with doing your best and studying hard for these test though!! A lot of the times based on your scores you could be applicable for scholarships which is very pleasant!
5. Resume
Start thinking about everything that you've done in high school. All the sport teams, choral or theater shows, community service, membership in any society - they will all end up on your resume. It's nice to have one place where you have all this information! Also include any and every reward that you've received - even if it is Physical Education of the Month (yes, I did put that on my resume!). Also, don't hesitate to add information about your extracurricular activities. If you founded your own club (schools love that) then say that you did and say what you've been doing! If you're choir won the state championship three years in a row - totally add that! Depending on schools, and depending on your activities you could very well apply and be applicable for many scholarships. For example, my scholarship wasn't solely based on good grades, I was offered the scholarship because of my constant participation in the performing arts. It looks good if its clear that you have a favorite hobby or interest - consistency is very often liked among schools. Instead of being in 20 clubs, schools actually prefer to be specific and are interested in if you've been in that club for long periods of time. Don't forget to add any job that you've ever had too - even if it's babysitting: it shows responsibility!
6. Keep Your Grades UP!
Just because you're in your final year doesn't mean you shouldn't stop working just as hard or start to work hard. Even if you're already confirmed into the school doesn't mean you can slack off either. Nowadays, college ask for you to send a transcript at the beginning of the year, as well as the middle of the year and after you graduate. They need to make sure that you keep your grades up to a certain point - they can actually take away your acceptance and that would just be tragic and terrible! So keep studying, try to work hard! I know it can be tough but at least keep it to average.
7. AP's and IB Exams
A reason to keep those grades up is because of outside school exams! For AP students, sure you don't have to keep your grades up, but I would pay attention to the subject that's being taught because depending on the score of the exam, you can get out of some basic classes in college. Most school only accept 4's and 5's. Depending on the subject, some schools may even accept 3's. For IB students, course work is work for IB the majority of the times, and teachers also need to know your competence for their records on how well they think you'll do in IB. Also, if you're taking IB you're probably considering schools outside of America - that means your IB scores actually count! You need to get a certain score to get into certain schools. In fact you don't even know if you've been accepted until after you graduate and are out of school completely! Stressful!! For IB students going to American schools, you can get a lot of credit for some of your subjects. Depending on schools, on your Higher Level tests if you do well (5, 6, 7) you often times receive credit. You may even get some form of credit for your Standard Level exams too (I've heard that you need a 6 or 7 though). So learn and study hard!
9.Enjoy Your Senior Year!
1. Look Up Colleges and Universities You're Interested In!
Do you know what you're going to study in college? If you do explore colleges that are known for that particular subject - they'll have the best programs, classes and professors. If not, don't sweat it! You can decide on a school by location, size, number of people, the majors offered, basically anything. But be warned! Use your information carefully and look through it a lot! Not only go to the school's provided website but check out rating on different web sites (like College Prowler or College Board). Also, if you have the chance try to visit the actual college - you'll get a feel for the campus and the environment which is very very important. If there are past classmates (upperclassmen) who go to the school you're interested in totally ask them what it's like and how they like it compared to other schools that they were considering. Knowing more is always the best way to go!!
2. Find Out What Your College Requires
Look up what you need to do for the application to your college. Some universities and colleges use CommonApp while some still have their own separate application. Depending on the school, some places ask you to take SAT 2 exams which are specific subject exams. Now is a good time to check around what SAT and ACT scores your schools usually except. However, don't get caught up with that part! Don't think you need to get that high score or your school won't accept you - SAT/ACT scores are a little portion to the whole package. It's better now to know what you have to do, plan your year accordingly.
3. Application Essays
Depending on schools, and even sometimes majors, you most likely have to write some kind of essay. There are two types of essays - the long question and short response. The majority of long essays are about you and why the school should take you over other people. You are basically selling yourself to the college or university. This is very important. What really makes you special and why does it matter? Another popular choice is how and why will the college or university will help you or how will you add to the school? The good thing about these basic long questions is that you can tweak it to fit several schools. The shorter response is more specific to the school and even the major - it's also pretty short only 100 to 200 words. One of my questions for my college was, "If you were to write the story of your life until now, what would you title it? Why? Please be brief". These questions are meant for you to be creative. I actually started writing basic essays in the summer - which is totally helpful (and a complete time saver). This let me focus on school work, and then get criticism from my family members and teachers. Try to start writing soon!! (No matter the prompt). 
4. SAT or ACT? A lot of schools these days accept the results of either test. I personally like the ACT better, but to each their own. Both tests are actually designed to see if you can survive your first year in college - weird right? To prep for either test buy or borrow a prep book - those seem to be the most helpful. Not only does it give you practice tests but it also extends some tips and advice. Starting earlier is beneficial I heard but some people really don't work like that (I would know I'm one of them). Don't get yourself down if you've done bad on the PSAT or the actual SAT or ACT. Each test is a new slate. Besides SAT/ACT isn't entirely what school look at - in fact its one of the more minor details. Actually school grade and the rigor of the course work is at the top along with your application essays. And then comes SAT/ACT and extracurricular activities (well, it depends on the school). You should still be concerned with doing your best and studying hard for these test though!! A lot of the times based on your scores you could be applicable for scholarships which is very pleasant!
5. Resume
Start thinking about everything that you've done in high school. All the sport teams, choral or theater shows, community service, membership in any society - they will all end up on your resume. It's nice to have one place where you have all this information! Also include any and every reward that you've received - even if it is Physical Education of the Month (yes, I did put that on my resume!). Also, don't hesitate to add information about your extracurricular activities. If you founded your own club (schools love that) then say that you did and say what you've been doing! If you're choir won the state championship three years in a row - totally add that! Depending on schools, and depending on your activities you could very well apply and be applicable for many scholarships. For example, my scholarship wasn't solely based on good grades, I was offered the scholarship because of my constant participation in the performing arts. It looks good if its clear that you have a favorite hobby or interest - consistency is very often liked among schools. Instead of being in 20 clubs, schools actually prefer to be specific and are interested in if you've been in that club for long periods of time. Don't forget to add any job that you've ever had too - even if it's babysitting: it shows responsibility! 6. Keep Your Grades UP!
Just because you're in your final year doesn't mean you shouldn't stop working just as hard or start to work hard. Even if you're already confirmed into the school doesn't mean you can slack off either. Nowadays, college ask for you to send a transcript at the beginning of the year, as well as the middle of the year and after you graduate. They need to make sure that you keep your grades up to a certain point - they can actually take away your acceptance and that would just be tragic and terrible! So keep studying, try to work hard! I know it can be tough but at least keep it to average.
7. AP's and IB ExamsA reason to keep those grades up is because of outside school exams! For AP students, sure you don't have to keep your grades up, but I would pay attention to the subject that's being taught because depending on the score of the exam, you can get out of some basic classes in college. Most school only accept 4's and 5's. Depending on the subject, some schools may even accept 3's. For IB students, course work is work for IB the majority of the times, and teachers also need to know your competence for their records on how well they think you'll do in IB. Also, if you're taking IB you're probably considering schools outside of America - that means your IB scores actually count! You need to get a certain score to get into certain schools. In fact you don't even know if you've been accepted until after you graduate and are out of school completely! Stressful!! For IB students going to American schools, you can get a lot of credit for some of your subjects. Depending on schools, on your Higher Level tests if you do well (5, 6, 7) you often times receive credit. You may even get some form of credit for your Standard Level exams too (I've heard that you need a 6 or 7 though). So learn and study hard!
8. Recommendations
Many schools now require 1 or 2 recommendations from teachers. Try to find a teacher who knows you well (and it helps if they like you too!). So try not to select a brand new teacher that you've had the first semester - they wont know anything personal and it can get pretty bland. Ask a teacher that you've had for one or two years - the longer the better!! I would send them an e-mail now or closer to when school starts and ask them politely if they can write you recommendations for university and colleges. If you can't e-mail them, go ask them in person - for real, do it kindly and sincerely. And then don't forget to tell them when you need it by and then constantly hound them and ask if they've started or finished yet. (It also helps if you tell them what you've done in high school too - there's when the resume is handy!) You're actually not allowed to see your recommendation until everything is over so don't try - in fact I didn't want to read mine no matter how nice they were! Well, after you got it thank your teachers! Especially if you get into your top choice! Recommendations are actually pretty important too! (Try not to piss off teachers!)
It's your lasts for so many things! I know this can be tough and stressful (a lot!) but there will be days when you can relax and be with your friends. This year goes by faster than you know it and soon you'll be getting your diploma and graduating. Savor each happy moment you have this year. Make closer bonds! You're going to hate and love it...but eventually miss it!
Good Luck Seniors!
Love,
ALPHA
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