-Start Researching Colleges! You will eventually want a balanced list with a mix of public and private schools that cover the gamut of reach, target and safety schools. But don't worry too much about creating a firm list right now, just explore! There are tons of great college search sites listed below that make looking for a school fun! See below for search sites!
-Get involved! Summer is a great time to work on adding to your resume/activity list that every college will ask for. Get involved in your community by volunteering at local animal shelters, food pantries, or nursing homes. Keep a list of whatever you do both in and outside of school, giving a brief description and the dates of service. This will be crucial when it is time to apply to college as every college asks! Think about a club or activity you may want to get involved in next fall as well. See this link for a resume template: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1ELXTW1b9NaOrgQS02OLP7K9bOb3Lh9Luu5WDOB-mees/edit
- GO VISIT!!!! It's not too early to start visiting colleges and there is nothing that compares to stepping foot on a college campus and seeing for yourself what it is like and if it "feels right" to you. See below for tips on visitation. Check out the College Search and Application Spreadsheet that you can use to keep track of all of your potential schools, below! https://www.collegeessayguy.com/blog/tips-for-planning-a-college-visit
-If an in-person visit is just not possible, go to the college's website and do their virtual tour. It's the next best thing.
-Practice for the SAT. Log in to your College Board account and use the free service, Khan Academy. This service works with your PSAT scores to create individualized practice for you. You can even set a regular schedule of practice. Recent studies suggest that practicing on Khan Academy for 20 hours increased students' scores by 115 points. That is substantial.
-Another option? The Answer Class! SAT/ACT Prep Info
Virtual SAT and ACT prep classes will be held this summer for fees that will not break the bank! $149 for an 8 hour course, combo SAT and ACT $249
Visit https://theanswerclass.com/
-Begin looking for and applying to scholarships. IT IS NOT TOO EARLY!!! College is expensive and most of us need all of the help we can get. See the financial resources sheet below for links to legit websites. Remember, you should NEVER pay for a scholarship search!!! That is a scam so don't even bother. The Golden Rule here - You should never pay money to get money.
-Speaking of finances, if you and your family have not already had a discussion about money for college, please do so as soon as possible! It is often too late for many students to try and figure out how to pay for college when they receive their financial aid packages in the spring of their senior year! Know how much you have and how much you may need to finance so that you can make realistic decisions.
-Clean up your social media! This is a good time to clean up your social media profiles. If you have any questionable photos or language, delete them now before you start your college search in earnest. https://www.edweek.org/leadership/yes-college-admissions-officers-do-look-at-applicants-social-media-survey-finds/2020/01
