This document provides advice and timelines for students to prepare for college applications to competitive colleges. It discusses the key factors colleges look for including grades, academic rigor, standardized test scores, application essays, counselor recommendations, extracurricular activities, and teacher letters of recommendation. It provides timelines for students from freshman year through senior year to focus on grades, challenging coursework, standardized testing, relationship building, extracurricular involvement, and application preparation. The overall message is that students should maximize their academic performance and involvement starting in freshman year to become a strong candidate for college admission.

1. Spring Into CollegeSpring Into College
ReadinessReadiness
Dr. Rebecca JosephDr. Rebecca Joseph
@getmetocollege@getmetocollege
getmetocollege@gmail.comgetmetocollege@gmail.com

2. What do competitive collegesWhat do competitive colleges
look for…look for…
 GradesGrades
 Academic RigorAcademic Rigor
 Standardized Test ScoresStandardized Test Scores
 Application EssaysApplication Essays
 Counselor ReportCounselor Report
 Extracurricular ActivitiesExtracurricular Activities
 Teacher Letters of RecommendationTeacher Letters of Recommendation
 OtherOther

3. GradesGrades
 Colleges look forColleges look for
 Continuous strong performanceContinuous strong performance
 Upward progressionUpward progression
 Particular strength in areas ofParticular strength in areas of
interestinterest
 So…So…

4. Academic SuccessAcademic Success
 Continue doing well in your coursesContinue doing well in your courses
 Do not drop core content areas unless youDo not drop core content areas unless you
are particularly challenged by them-- whichare particularly challenged by them-- which
means keep taking foreign language andmeans keep taking foreign language and
math classes.math classes.
 Do the best you can to keep your gradesDo the best you can to keep your grades
up…If you struggle, get help…soonerup…If you struggle, get help…sooner
rather than later.rather than later.
 DO NOT let grades drop during seniorDO NOT let grades drop during senior
year, especially the spring.year, especially the spring.
 Junior year and fall senior year grades areJunior year and fall senior year grades are
the MOST important of all.the MOST important of all.

5. Academic Rigor meansAcademic Rigor means
 How difficult your course load isHow difficult your course load is
compared to options at schoolcompared to options at school
 Academic reputation of yourAcademic reputation of your
schoolschool
 Particular strength and explorationParticular strength and exploration
in particular content areasin particular content areas

6. Pushing Your Academic RigorPushing Your Academic Rigor
 Take the most challenging coursesTake the most challenging courses
you can and keep your grades asyou can and keep your grades as
high as possiblehigh as possible
 Take honors and AP classes in yourTake honors and AP classes in your
stronger content areas if you plan tostronger content areas if you plan to
apply to very competitive collegesapply to very competitive colleges
 Continue to increase rigor junior andContinue to increase rigor junior and
senior yearsenior year
 Understand that colleges willUnderstand that colleges will
compare your academic choices tocompare your academic choices to
those offered at your schoolthose offered at your school
 Take summer classes at localTake summer classes at local
collegescolleges

7. Standardized TestsStandardized Tests
 Colleges use these tests toColleges use these tests to
compare students acrosscompare students across
schoolsschools
 They were never intended forThey were never intended for
the use they are giventhe use they are given
 Nonetheless, understand yourNonetheless, understand your
test options…test options…

8. TestingTesting

9. The Test OptionsThe Test Options
 The large majority of schoolsThe large majority of schools
requirerequire
 SAT ISAT I
oror
 ACTACT
And/orAnd/or
 Two to three SAT IIs (mostTwo to three SAT IIs (most
competitive test)competitive test)
 AP TestsAP Tests

10. Developing A TestingDeveloping A Testing
ScheduleSchedule
The SAT is releasing a new test for class ofThe SAT is releasing a new test for class of
2017.2017.
Juniors. You’re set with old SAT, ACT, APJuniors. You’re set with old SAT, ACT, AP
Tests, and Subject Tests.Tests, and Subject Tests.
Sophomores. You can stay with ACT. YouSophomores. You can stay with ACT. You
can try out new SAT.can try out new SAT.
Freshmen and younger: You can choose.Freshmen and younger: You can choose.
This spring---AP tests in May. SAT SubjectsThis spring---AP tests in May. SAT Subjects
Tests May or Spring.Tests May or Spring.
SAT and ACT are offered seven times aSAT and ACT are offered seven times a
year.year.

11. Standardized Testing NotesStandardized Testing Notes
 There are many colleges that do notThere are many colleges that do not
require tests!!! See this site for most up torequire tests!!! See this site for most up to
date list of schools that do not require testsdate list of schools that do not require tests
http://http://www.fairtest.orgwww.fairtest.org/university/optional/university/optional
 The ACT allows you to choose which testThe ACT allows you to choose which test
date to send. You have to send out by testdate to send. You have to send out by test
date.date.
 The SAT allows some score choice.The SAT allows some score choice.
Colleges have preferences. Superscores.Colleges have preferences. Superscores.
 See the following site for the most up toSee the following site for the most up to
date testing requirements of top colleges:date testing requirements of top colleges:
http://http://www.compassprep.comwww.compassprep.com//
admissions_req_subjects.aspxadmissions_req_subjects.aspx

12. Other Key Factors:Other Key Factors:
Application EssaysApplication Essays
 Application essays are often the topApplication essays are often the top
none academic component collegesnone academic component colleges
use in admissionsuse in admissions
 These essays must be written by theThese essays must be written by the
applicant. Colleges can recognizeapplicant. Colleges can recognize
adult written essays in a split secondadult written essays in a split second
 Essays must have a sizzle, aEssays must have a sizzle, a
message, a unique storymessage, a unique story
 Essays can tip you in…AdmissionsEssays can tip you in…Admissions
officer remember great, honestofficer remember great, honest
essaysessays

13. Essays: PreparationEssays: Preparation
 Spring-Keep track of any first person narratives youSpring-Keep track of any first person narratives you
write.write.
 Summer after Junior Year-Begin to think of coreSummer after Junior Year-Begin to think of core
messages about yourself you want colleges tomessages about yourself you want colleges to
understand that may not come across any otherunderstand that may not come across any other
wayway
 Summer after Junior Year-Begin drafting one to twoSummer after Junior Year-Begin drafting one to two
long autobiographical essays about yourself…Eachlong autobiographical essays about yourself…Each
one should have a set of core values you want toone should have a set of core values you want to
expressexpress
 Fall Senior Year-Develop master list of all essaysFall Senior Year-Develop master list of all essays
 Fall Senior Year-Write the fewest essays possible.Fall Senior Year-Write the fewest essays possible.
Overlap them.Overlap them.
 Fall Senior Year-Make sure you follow Into-Fall Senior Year-Make sure you follow Into-
Through-Beyond approach.Through-Beyond approach.
 Fall Senior Year-Make sure all essays expressFall Senior Year-Make sure all essays express
different information yet complement each otherdifferent information yet complement each other
with core messages about you.with core messages about you.

14. Counselor LettersCounselor Letters
 Counselors letters are mandatedCounselors letters are mandated
component of most private schoolcomponent of most private school
applicationsapplications
 Counselors have relationships withCounselors have relationships with
collegescolleges
 Counselors use different, yet similarCounselors use different, yet similar
categories for ranking colleges for studentscategories for ranking colleges for students
 Reach-reach or challenge or unlikey---mostReach-reach or challenge or unlikey---most
difficultdifficult
 Reach, strength-difficultReach, strength-difficult
 50-5050-50
 LikelyLikely
 Listen to your counselorListen to your counselor

15. Counselor Letters: TimelineCounselor Letters: Timeline
 Junior Year-Get to know your counselor.Junior Year-Get to know your counselor.
Drop into office, ask core questions.Drop into office, ask core questions.
Develop a relationship.Develop a relationship.
 Junior Year-Attend all programs offered byJunior Year-Attend all programs offered by
counseling officecounseling office
 Junior Year Spring-Develop preliminaryJunior Year Spring-Develop preliminary
college list with counselorcollege list with counselor
 Senior Year-CompleteSenior Year-Complete “brag” sheet for“brag” sheet for
counselor. Give as much information ascounselor. Give as much information as
possiblepossible
 Senior Year-Refine college list withSenior Year-Refine college list with
counselorcounselor
 Senior Year-Continue strong interactionSenior Year-Continue strong interaction
with counselorwith counselor

16. Extracurricular ActivitiesExtracurricular Activities

17. Extracurricular ActivitiesExtracurricular Activities
 Colleges want varied studentColleges want varied student
populations. They want students whopopulations. They want students who
enhance their campuses and takeenhance their campuses and take
advantage of resources.advantage of resources.
 They look for students whoThey look for students who
participate actively in school andparticipate actively in school and
community activities.community activities.
 ConsistencyConsistency
 DevelopmentDevelopment
 LeadershipLeadership
 InitiativeInitiative

18. Extracurricular Activities:Extracurricular Activities:
TimelineTimeline
 Freshman-Junior Year- Continue with your currentFreshman-Junior Year- Continue with your current
activities. Do not stop. You can start an activity, butactivities. Do not stop. You can start an activity, but
plan to continue it through senior year.plan to continue it through senior year.
 Junior Year- Take on leadership responsibilities inJunior Year- Take on leadership responsibilities in
current activities.current activities.
 Summer-Use your summer---Summer-Use your summer---
 Get a jobGet a job
 Get an internshipGet an internship
 VolunteerVolunteer
 Take enrichment coursesTake enrichment courses
 Continue with camp, sports, and other activitiesContinue with camp, sports, and other activities
 Senior YearSenior Year
 Take leadership positionsTake leadership positions
 Continue your participation in past activitiesContinue your participation in past activities

19. Teacher RecommendationsTeacher Recommendations
 Most private colleges and manyMost private colleges and many
public colleges want letters ofpublic colleges want letters of
recommendations from teachers.recommendations from teachers.
 They want core academic letters—They want core academic letters—
English, SS, Math, Science, andEnglish, SS, Math, Science, and
ScienceScience
 They prefer junior and senior yearThey prefer junior and senior year
teachers or teachers you have hadteachers or teachers you have had
more than once.more than once.
 They want teachers who know youThey want teachers who know you
wellwell

20. Recommendation TimelineRecommendation Timeline
 Freshman-Junior Year-ContinueFreshman-Junior Year-Continue
developing strong relationships withdeveloping strong relationships with
teachersteachers
 Junior Year-Do not throw away anotherJunior Year-Do not throw away another
core graded assignmentscore graded assignments
 Junior Year-If core teachers are planning toJunior Year-If core teachers are planning to
leave school…get contact info.leave school…get contact info.
 Senior Year Fall-Ask one to two teachersSenior Year Fall-Ask one to two teachers
from junior year, senior year, or sophomorefrom junior year, senior year, or sophomore
(academic strength) to write letters. Ask(academic strength) to write letters. Ask
EARLY.EARLY.
 Senior Year Fall-Give teachers packetsSenior Year Fall-Give teachers packets
with appropriate forms and envelopes andwith appropriate forms and envelopes and
brag sheets. Remind them of all thebrag sheets. Remind them of all the
wonderful things you did in class-written,wonderful things you did in class-written,
oral, and more.oral, and more.

21. OtherOther
 SportsSports
 ArtsArts
 Particular areas of expertiseParticular areas of expertise

22. Other Readiness TimelineOther Readiness Timeline
 Sports-follow all requirements set forth bySports-follow all requirements set forth by
NCAA. Attend summer camps.NCAA. Attend summer camps.
http://web1.ncaa.org/ECWR2/NCAA_EMS/NCAAhttp://web1.ncaa.org/ECWR2/NCAA_EMS/NCAA
 Arts-Develop a portfolio, resume, auditionArts-Develop a portfolio, resume, audition
as required by each college. Fall andas required by each college. Fall and
Winter Senior Year-Develop an audition orWinter Senior Year-Develop an audition or
arts master listarts master list
 Other special talents-Develop a portfolioOther special talents-Develop a portfolio
and make sure you have someone whoand make sure you have someone who
really knows your talent help you conveyreally knows your talent help you convey
that to college.that to college.

23. Other Core ReadinessOther Core Readiness
Timelines-College ResearchTimelines-College Research
 College research takes timeCollege research takes time
 Read key books and websitesRead key books and websites
 Talk to friends who are seniorsTalk to friends who are seniors
and recent gradsand recent grads
 Talk to friends and familyTalk to friends and family
 Check your student on NavianceCheck your student on Naviance
and other school comparativeand other school comparative
offerings.offerings.

24. Demonstrated InterestDemonstrated Interest

25. College Research TimelineCollege Research Timeline
Sophomore-Junior Year-Develop core list ofSophomore-Junior Year-Develop core list of
what match colleges must havewhat match colleges must have
location, size, cost, academics.location, size, cost, academics.
Sophomore Year-Visit local colleges.Sophomore Year-Visit local colleges.
Spring Junior Year-Visit core colleges.Spring Junior Year-Visit core colleges.
Interview when possible. Visit classes,Interview when possible. Visit classes,
meet students.meet students.
Spring Junior Year-Attend local college fairsSpring Junior Year-Attend local college fairs
Summer Post Junior Year-Narrow down listSummer Post Junior Year-Narrow down list
Fall Senior Year-Attend more college fairsFall Senior Year-Attend more college fairs
and attend all relevant college visits at yourand attend all relevant college visits at your
school or in local areaschool or in local area
Fall Senior Year-Visit more colleges andFall Senior Year-Visit more colleges and
narrow down list.narrow down list.

26. ApplicationsApplications

27. Demonstrated InterestDemonstrated Interest
TimelineTimeline
 Colleges care that you knowColleges care that you know
them.them.
 College VisitsCollege Visits
 High School VisitsHigh School Visits
 College FairsCollege Fairs
 Virtual VisitsVirtual Visits
 Social MediaSocial Media

28. ApplicationsApplications
 There are many forms ofThere are many forms of
applications.applications.
 Most are now onlineMost are now online
 Unfortunately, public collegesUnfortunately, public colleges
have their own applicationshave their own applications
 Fortunately, the large majorityFortunately, the large majority
use the Common Application.use the Common Application.
 Fortunately, all requireFortunately, all require
overlapping features.overlapping features.

29. Applications TimelineApplications Timeline
 Summer Post Junior Year-Start a master list ofSummer Post Junior Year-Start a master list of
college application deadlines and requirements andcollege application deadlines and requirements and
passwordspasswords
 Summer Post Junior Year-Start writing core essaysSummer Post Junior Year-Start writing core essays
and develop a resumeand develop a resume
 Fall Senior Year-Begin completing formalFall Senior Year-Begin completing formal
applications. Devote one hour per day toapplications. Devote one hour per day to
applications. Remember, write fewest essaysapplications. Remember, write fewest essays
possible.possible.
 Fall Senior Year-Make sure you followFall Senior Year-Make sure you follow
 Test score submissions requirementsTest score submissions requirements
 School and teacher paperwork and transcriptsSchool and teacher paperwork and transcripts
requirementsrequirements
 Complete all technical forms on applicationsComplete all technical forms on applications
 Develop outstanding essaysDevelop outstanding essays
 Meet all deadlines.Meet all deadlines.

30. Final WordsFinal Words
 You are a work in progressYou are a work in progress
 Colleges want to know who you really areColleges want to know who you really are
 Yet they donYet they don’t read minds so don’t keep’t read minds so don’t keep
anything core about youanything core about you
 But donBut don’t overwhelm them or scare them’t overwhelm them or scare them
awayaway
 They want to know how you will enhanceThey want to know how you will enhance
and enrich their campusand enrich their campus
 There is so much you can doThere is so much you can do
 It is never too late...to develop a strongIt is never too late...to develop a strong
college readiness plancollege readiness plan

32. YOU CAN DO ITYOU CAN DO IT
If you need my helpIf you need my help
Look at my website: getmetocollege.orgLook at my website: getmetocollege.org
Follow me on twitter: @getmetocollegeFollow me on twitter: @getmetocollege
Email me at getmetocollege@gmail.comEmail me at getmetocollege@gmail.com