Spring is around the corner and in high schools juniors and seniors are looking ahead to next year.
February is the time that high school students review their course selections and make their choices for next year. It’s the time for students to take stock of their progress first semester and how their successes will help pave the way for their plans for next a fall.
For Juniors preparing for college this means taking the most rigorous senior schedule that they can handle well keeping in mind a balance between academics and extra curricular activities. As the seniors will soon be graduating the leadership for many of the school’s clubs, organizations, athletics, and student government begins to shift to them. Community service, employment, and family obligations also need to be figured into the picture. Taking the time to write down your commitments and goals along side the academic choices will help to clarify the choices and enhance your chances of selecting the right courses for you. Generally, colleges will review your schedule with two key aspects in mind: strength of schedule and record of achievement. Showing increasing rigor and a positive trend in marks throughout high school are ideal indicators for success in college. Strength in schedule is determined both by the breadth (taking all 5 core subjects all four years) as well as increasing rigor (moving into honors and AP or IB courses, if available).
For Seniors keeping pace with your course work, school and leadership obligations, and community service projects will ensure the strong finish that college admissions offices are counting on once your admissions decisions are received. Offers of admissions are all “conditional” in fact – meaning that the college anticipates the same continued success that you demonstrated in your application for admission. If in the end your grades tank or you “drop the ball in other significant ways”, the college can and sometimes does, rescind their offer of admission. Some believe that the second semester of a student’s senior year is the best predictor of what lies ahead in the first year of college. Finish strong and you’ll have no problems ….or regrets. Be sure to stay in touch with the colleges that interest you and attend open houses or visit colleges that you haven’t yet seen. Compare carefully your financial aid information to understand the cost of attendance at each of your colleges. Review the housing and orientation information and be sure to reply by the deadlines. Most colleges have enrollment deposits due on May 1.
