College Crunch Time for Seniors

The season of spring always arrives with a ray of hope for the future. For many graduating seniors, college is on the horizon and an exciting new life awaits them. For students who haven’t got it all figured out yet, spring can create panic! Life becomes a world of stressed-out parents and rushed decision-making. If you are one of those procrastinators who have run out of time when it comes to college prep, take heart. All is not lost for seniors and their families that have waited until now to start thinking about higher education. Many colleges (not wanting early decision) have deadlines for application as late as April. Here are some tips that can lessen the worry and help you get back on track.

1. Students need to take the SAT for college entrance. There are still three examination dates left (March, May and June). Students should improve each time, so I recommend they take all three tests if possible. There are no penalties for taking the SAT more than a couple of times and some schools will even take the highest scores in each section from different tests. Remember, there are deadlines and late fees, so you will need to sign-up early at www.collegeboard.com. It’s never too late to learn how to take the test, so find a prep class that can show you how to decipher the questions and answer them logically. HIGH SAT SCORES OPEN DOORS!

2. Polish up your transcript! Colleges love to give scholarships to students who are well-rounded. Those who not only have a good SAT score, but also have a transcript that reflects their commitment to public service. It is one that displays their volunteer work, their leadership skills and any awards received. This demonstrates to the school that the student has been an asset to their community which in turn exhibits a willingness to become involved on their campus. Brainstorm the activities that you have participated in. Be sure to write everything down, even if it was a one-time service. Some community service ideas are Habitat for Humanity, Meals-on-Wheels, library aid, tutoring another student, painting houses for the elderly, etc. Club involvement could include 4-H, Boy Scouts, Girl Scouts and YMCA. Awards could include honor societies, Who’s Who, piano, dance or sports achievements. And don’t forget, if you have held a part-time job, it is always a plus on your transcript.

3. Schedule an interview with the college of your choice. Take a weekend to visit and meet with the Dean of the department you are interested in. Go in prepared. This is your time to SELL yourself to them, especially for scholarships that might be available. Be honest. Dress appropriately. Be on time and shake their hand. Come with an arsenal of information: your transcript, letters of recommendation, extra-curricular information. Always practice with a mock interview by using possible questions that the interviewer might ask you.

Even if you are a last-minute person, there is still hope. Going to college itself will have enough challenges, so you will want to minimize as much stress as possible when it comes to just getting in. Don’t waste any more time because you are running out of it. Finally, relax! This is not the end of the world. After all, you’ve just conquered high school.

This article is the work of author, Jean Burk. It is the property of Maven of Memory Publishing, and may be reproduced according to the following terms.