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Summer is here! Relax and enjoy yourself, but remember to schedule time within your 10-week vacation to focus on a few necessary tasks that will set you up for success this fall!
Rising Seniors
Ask 2-3 teachers for recommendations before summer break. Let them know in advance that you will need their recommendation by October 31st as you plan to be an early action applicant. You will also need to obtain your weighted GPA from your guidance counselor once all of your grades are in. Find out who to contact over the summer to get your weighted GPA.
If you haven't already completed your college tours, be sure to visit over the summer. Then, work on your application strategy. Determine to which schools you'll apply, particularly as an early applicant. Create a spreadsheet with all deadlines. Don’t forget deadlines for Honors College consideration and specific merit or financial aid scholarships if that school doesn’t automatically consider you upon application. Know the test policy of each college you are applying to. Submit your SAT test scores where required and where you are in range, otherwise OPT OUT if that’s allowed.
Draft your common app essay and any supplemental essays that may be required by the schools to which you're applying. Bear in mind that you should determine if you need to prepare a separate essay to be considered for any specific scholarships for those colleges. Determine if other submissions are required, such as a portfolio, and by a certain deadline.
By completing your essays over the summer, you'll be ready for early action deadlines in the fall and less likely to feel overwhelmed about writing essays while trying to juggle all of your class assignments.
Rising Freshmen/Sophomores
Start to research schools. As you're reviewing these schools, be sure to note the merit and other scholarships offered and which test format the school prefers - SAT or ACT.
Some schools, such as Christopher Newport University, accept SAT, ACT and CLT (Classic Learning Test) and use the most favorable score in the admission decision process. They also require the ACT as part of their admission criteria for their Honors College.
Even though some schools don't require test scores for admission, they may still utilize test scores in the determination of merit scholarships and financial aid. Remember, SATs are a tool to use to your advantage. This is especially important if you are applying to a “test optional” university. If your score is in their target range then of course you want to submit it with your application, especially if your GPA is below their average.
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