This time of year always feels like a sprint – but I hope that each of you has found your rhythm to take things as they come. You have all worked really hard and submitted your first wave of applications - congratulations!
From here on out, things should feel a little easier. But there are still things to be done as we move into November:
Set Up and Check Applicant Portals. A day or two after hitting the submit button you will get emails from your colleges instructing you to set up your portal. Follow the instructions and save the login information into your College Companion Spreadsheet. Check your portal at least twice weekly!
This is where colleges will notify you about missing application materials, scholarship applications, and where your application is at in the review process.Meet with college representatives at your high school, college-specific panels, or online info sessions to learn more and demonstrate your interest.
These opportunities are more than just informational sessions; they're a chance to make a personal connection with the college representative who might be the one reviewing your application.
If a college of interest isn’t visiting your school or coming to the local college fairs, be sure to explore their website, do a virtual tour, set up a virtual meeting with your admission rep, and don't hesitate to contact the admissions office to learn more.Continue Researching the Colleges on your List. What you learn about colleges can help you write your supplemental essays. With many colleges using a holistic admissions process, it's important to show genuine interest in the schools on your list. Finish your research and use this research to articulate why each school is a good fit for you in essays, emails, and conversations with admission counselors.
Essays. You’ve written your first set of essays now, which means you have work that can be updated and used for your next set of essays. I have identified overlaps in the prompts to see if you can use the same essay for multiple applications. This should save you some time and ensure each essay is polished and thoughtful. Make sure to personalize your essays for each school!
Talk about your college budget. Family discussions about college costs are essential. Explore financial aid options and scholarships together. Understanding the financial obligations and finding the best ways to manage them will make the process smoother. There are tools and information located in your Digital Binder. There will also be a FAFSA presentation later in the fall for seniors and their families. More information will be sent out via email.
Finally, maintain strong grades. First-semester grades are important, and colleges and scholarship applications may consider them in their admissions decisions – you may be required to submit them after they have posted in January or February. Remember, colleges are looking for students who challenge themselves academically to the best of their ability.