Read This First … Please
The “Must Do” chart is for college bound students in the classes of 2013, 2014, and 2015. The information here is based on Lafayette Academy’s experience with thousands of students and insights from our highly regarded college counselor, Kathy Bressler. Many of our students attend excellent colleges while others scramble to get into state schools even though they’re smart enough for the UCs. Typically, the latter group did not think about their “college resumes” until it was too late. Our chart does not include comprehensive information for each category. It’s intended to be a thought provoking, easy-to-follow guide with suggestions that you can put into action today. Call us or speak to your counselor at school for more information.
| “COLLEGE RESUME” CONSIDERATIONS | Class of 2015 | Class of 2014 | Class of 2013 | |
| YOUR “POSITIONING” STRATEGY | How are you going to position yourself to colleges? Journalist? Artist? Community service maven? Entrepreneur? … What can you do to bolster your positioning strategy? Colleges prefer students who are passionate about one or two areas more than students who dabble in many areas. And, it’s not enough to say that you’re passionate – you need to demonstrate a commitment through your activities. | |||
| SAT or ACT PREP | Improve your vocabulary (e.g. flash cards or learn prefixes and roots). Find a method that works for you. | Summer Test Prep students get the best results and better junior year grades with less stress. Schedule SAT & ACT practice tests to identify the best test for you. | If you plan to take the SAT or ACT for a 2nd time next fall, get help and practice a lot this summer. Students who wait until the fall rarely improve. | |
| SAT II: SUBJECT TESTS | Are you on track to take some AP classes as a Soph or Junior? If not, find out how to get on track. | If you’re not an AP or Honors student, you might need to take an SAT II next spring. Call us for more information. | Prep for Fall SAT IIs if you need more (or higher) SAT IIs for your target colleges. Some of the top schools require three SAT IIs. | |
| ACADEMIC READINESS FOR 2011/2012 | Did you get a C or below in any subject that is a foundation for future classes (e.g. math, foreign language)? If so, you need to “catch up” this summer and/or prepare for next year with a class or tutor. | The 1st semester will be your last chance to improve your GPA. Get a head start on your college essays and any test prep so you have more time for homework in the fall … and less stress! | ||
| A MESSAGE FOR YEAR-ROUND ATHLETES | We love high school sports but the demands placed on student athletes are excessive. Few students get into college through sports; many students are not getting into the “right” schools because of sports. Why? Sports are taking precedence over everything else. Many athletes have weaker college applications because they don’t devote enough time to academics and other activities. For this reason, it is very important that you improve your college resume over the summer when you have more time. You can have a fun, relaxing summer and still accomplish everything on this chart. It just might mean waking up before noon a few days a week. | |||
| COMMUNITY SERVICE | Find an organization that really interests you. Colleges appreciate genuine community service as opposed to picking up trash at the Art & Wine Festival. Class of 2013 graduates should continue previous community service efforts to show a longer-term commitment. | |||
| READING COMPREHENSION | Get assessed. Strong reading comprehension makes a huge difference in many classes … and on the SAT. | Other categories are higher priorities this summer. | ||