“How do you eat an elephant?
One bite at a time.”
We designed the “College Planning To Do List” to help both parents and students break down the college planning journey and make it as stress free as possible.
Tom & Maria Geffers
Important Dates:
ACT Test - July 16.... Deadline for registering June 17
SAT Test - August 27.... Deadline for registering July 29
SENIORS
TIP: You are college-bound! Move-in-day might feel a ways off, but it will be here before you know it. Start planning for Fall so that you have plenty of time to get everything in order. Meet your roommate, shop for dorm stuff, and sign-up for orientation. First semester is just around the corner.
TO DO LIST:
Save some of your graduation money for school
Respond to requests from the college you will be attending. Keep copies of everything you send
Make travel arrangements, if necessary
Send thank you notes or postcards to those who helped you in your college admissions journey
JUNIORS
TIP: Thinking about taking the SAT or ACT one more time? Summer is a great time to work on fine-tuning your scores. Bot the SAT and ACT now have summer test dates. If you are applying for Early Decision or Early Action, the July ACT or the August SAT are great options
TO DO LIST:
Visit the campuses of your top five college choices. Take a tour and speak with the admissions and financial aid staff. You may also be able to talk to students, if some classes are in session. If you have an interview, be sure to send a thank-you letter to the interviewer once you return home.
Check the Common Application at www.commonapp.org to view essay prompts and the structure of the application. Check out the "Common Application FAQ" document
Compose rough drafts of the essays you will need for your college applications. Have a teacher read and discuss them with you so that you can see what to work on. Make any revisions to you application essays and prepare final drafts. DO NOT FORGET TO PROOFREAD your final essays a few times.
SOPHOMORES
TIP: Want to get an amazing SAT or ACT score next year? You may want to start prepping this summer. Junior year has a reputation for being the toughest year so start now
TO DO LIST:
Search the internet for schools that match your criteria.... demographics... size.... location... major.... Attend college fairs and investigate different kinds of colleges.... you may find something that you like.
Investigate what the academic requirements are and investigate the different programs, sports, or other activities that you're interested in.
Finding steady summer work will look good to prospective colleges and employers. Putting money you earn away for college will also help you get a head start on a personal savings plan.
FRESHMEN
TIP: Get a head start on summer reading this month! Becoming an avid reader will give you an edge in all your subjects and make a world of difference when you take the SAT or ACT
TO DO LIST:
Explore your local colleges and make summer count
Keep track of academic and extracurricular awards, community service achievements, and anything else you participate in, so it will be easier to remember later. It will come in handy when you want to highlight your accomplishments - such as when you're filing out college applications or creating a resume.
Look at the college information available in your counselor's office and the internet. Check out the college websites and take virtual tours. Start a list of colleges that might interest you.
There are plenty of ways to have fun and build your credentials during the summer, such as volunteering, getting a job or signing up for an enrichment program
Happy Planning!
Tom and Maria
Tom & Maria Geffers of Career and College Counselors can help you choose the Right Career, the Right Major, the Right College and Graduate in 4 years with the least amount of money out of pocket.
We can help your college application RISE TO THE TOP!
570 - 460-4855
