Spring is in the air, and with the end of the school year looming, you might wonder, what should I be doing? Check out our Counselor Checklist for Spring:
Seniors: You're in the home stretch! Finish the year strong (remember that any acceptances you have are PENDING, and you maintain the same academic performance you applied with!), and don't forget to send your final transcript to your chosen school. Send thank you notes to EVERYONE who helped you with your journey - teachers, counselors, coaches, and especially your parents!! Ensure you are all set with summer plans (college orientation? Job?) and all applications (financial aid? Housing?) are complete.
Juniors: It’s crunch time! Junior year grades are the last set of grades you will submit to colleges when you enroll this fall, so the finals and AP tests you’ll take in the next few weeks are much more critical. By now, your summer plans should be firmed up – academically (Are you getting a job, internship, or enrolling in a course?) and athletically (Are you attending a camp or maybe planning a workout regimen to do on your own?).
Finally, before you take off for the summer, make sure that you connect with teachers and counselors about any recommendation letters required by the colleges on your target list. It’s best to respect their time and ensure that when you officially request a letter from them in the fall, they have it knocked out or set aside time to do this for you.
Sophomores & Freshman: Summer is an excellent time for you to take your first of many official college tours. Seeing a school in person can help you figure out what you like or don’t like about it and will ultimately save you tons of time when you reach out to coaches further down the road. Try starting with a small and a large college in your local area. Register online and attend the official walking tour and admissions session.
By now, your day-to-day summer plans should also be solidified, whether that means taking a class, volunteering, or, for sophomores, starting test prep. It’s important not to let summer pass you by without doing any enrichment.
Not sure if you should take the SAT or ACT? Contact our preferred provider, Arbor Bridge – email Morris@ArborBridge.com to get set up with a free consultation today!
