Effective College Planning Calendar for Underclassmen and Juniors

College Planning Calendar

College Planning Calendar SOPHOMORE YEAR: Build a strong academic record. Speak with your teachers and school counselor about challenging yourself with AP course(s) Participate in activities and community service Make sure you take PSAT provided for free by the district Check out the computer software and resources about colleges, careers, and scholarships available in your school counseling office. Update your Student Resume Take your AP test(s) Complete a career search Explore summer enrichment programs offered at universities or use your summer to start exploring careers work, volunteer, internship Attend the Early College & Career Informational Night in the spring semester.

College Planning Calendar (contd) JUNIOR YEAR: September/October Get off to a strong start in school Take the PSAT in school being offered by the district. Prep classes are available through the Princeton Review/Valley Stream Partnership over the summer Methodtest Prep SAT/ACT Prep Classes through Castle Learning November/December Attend the District College Fair at Central High School Review the PSAT results available in December/ January Begin to research a preliminary college list December/January Register for SAT Reasoning Test and/or ACT tests Are you on track to meet your graduation requirements?

College Planning Calendar (contd) JUNIOR YEAR (cont d): February/March Individual parent/student counselor conferences begin Attend District Junior College Night Surf the Web for college, career, and scholarship information Find Scholarships for College for FREE | Fastweb Begin visiting colleges you have interest in. Spring break is an excellent time to see colleges in person or virtually Begin researching summer opportunities Continue to participate in school and community activities Attend NCAA Night to better understand the process as well as find out about scholarships April/May Take appropriate SAT/ACT test Begin a filing system for college material stuff will be pouring in!!! Send for college information Make appointments for tours and/or interviews and visit colleges Take your AP tests

College Planning Calendar (contd) JUNIOR YEAR (cont d): June Take SAT/ACT Request teacher recommendation letters Take Final and Regents exams Finalize your Student Resume July/August Do something meaningful during the summer that you can talk about in your essays and interviews Important to develop lists of possible career choices leading to what you want to major in Again work, intern or, volunteer to develop career ideas VISIT COLLEGES Begin organizing possible essays for colleges

Naviance What is Naviance?: Enables students/parents to do college, career and scholarships searches from any computer with internet access Can email or eBlast students and/or parents Internet Addresses: https://student.naviance.com/vsshs (South) https://student.naviance.com/vsnhs (North) https://student.naviance.com/vschs (Central) https://student.naviance.com/vsmj (Memorial) Log-ins were established last year. Contact your child s school counselor if you misplaced your information. Counselors will be conducting a career and/or college search with your children in the spring. Mantle

College Search on Naviance Go to https://student.naviance.com/vschs (Sign into your account with username and password) Click on College tab Scroll down left tool bar to college search Click on college search and begin to answer questions Type Location Students Admission Athletics Costs Special Programs Majors - Use the information from your Interest Inventory Click on Get Results Repeat changing some of the factors to produce different lists especially for admissions to get safe, target and reach schools! Whitney-Rivera

Some Helpful Tips Try before you buy College Visits Weekends away (at Colleges expense) Save Money where you can Test Prep Application Fees Follow Instructions Do what you are asked! Fill in the activities and attach a resume. Admission Counselors are running through 25+ applications a day, the less pages they need to flip through the easier it is to review your file Make sure the person that you asked for a letter of recommendation from likes you

A Few More Tips Essays should add to the story that your application is already telling, not re-tell the same story. It is the difference between a Whitney-Rivera and a Picasso Show your ability to write format and grammar count Remember your audience If you choose to write about a traumatic event in your life Kudos to you! That is a courageous thing to do.. . But please make sure that by the end of your essay you have shown that you have the coping skills to thrive in a school's community. Admission counselors should not walk away concerned about your ability to be well on their campuses, nor should they be asked to make a judgement on someone's Mental Health. (Middleburry College- Anorexia) Competitive Universities are looking for a fit Have some fun admission counselors are people too, but always remember your audience.