Welcome to the Class of 2007! I am excited to be working with you as you make your way through the College Application Process. I know that this can be a scary and stressful time - but my hope is that it can also be a FUN and EXCITING time. Here are some tips to get you started:
1. The most important thing is to keep focused on your grades (it is not too late to get good grades even if they haven't been as strong as you would have liked in the past).
2. Continue to take the most challenging courses that you think you can be successful at.
3. Continue to engage in extra curricular activities. There is no BEST list of activities. Explore what you are interested in whether it is an art class, and academic program, a sport, a musical instrument, social/political action, community service, an internship, a part-time job, or even taking care of siblings and family members. It is not quantity but quality that counts. One or two things that you have been committed to over time and show growth in is all that is expected.
4. Do something withyour summer other than sit on the couch. Again, this could be many different activities - just do something that is exciting to you!
5. Start thinking globally about college. This means that you don't have to have a final list of schools - you just need to start thinking about your preferences: (size, location, weather, strength of academic area of interest, athletics, activism, social life, diversity, etc)
6. Research!
7. Come introduce yourself to the College Office Staff. The better we know you - the more effectively we can help.
8. Hand in your Junior Packet
9. Create a place at home to keep your college paperwork organized. Keep copies of everything sent to you and everything you mail out.
10. When you talk to college representatives on the phone - or in person, write down the date and time of the conversation and the name of the person you spoke to. In person -ask for a business card and follow up with an email thanking that person for their time.
11. Don't get your heart stuck on one specific school - but rather get excited about a bunch of schools. This will lead to less disappointment. There are several great college fits for every student out there.
12. This process is a unique process for each of you - be true to yourself. Don't make choices based on what your friends are doing.
13. Please be respectful of others through this process. I don't want to hear "X College Sucks" or anything similar. Be aware that students around you may be in a different situation than you are and you don't want to hurt anyone's feelings by being inconsiderate.
14. I will end with the most important thing ... as you begin to go through this process - remember to MEET ALL DEADLINES - actually I prefer you BEAT the deadlines - and follow exact procedures.
15. GET EXCITED! EVERY SINGLE ONE OF YOU HAS COLLEGE OPTIONS!!!!! (regardless of your grades, test scores, finances, etc....)