5 Things High School Seniors Should Be Doing Now

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You have your acceptance letter, you bought dorm room essentials, and you filled out your financial aid. Now What? it's time to review your Financial aid award letter to see how to allocate your monies. Check out Union College's Guidance Blog to read more about useful tips for students!
http://www.unioncollegeguidance.com/

Alyson of MA 11:40AM May 02, 2012

Dear Lynn,
#1 should be "Determine the best and cheapest way to earn qualifications to do the jobs I want." Most high skill and high pay jobs require some post high school studies.
By encouraging the traditional college route, counselors are also sending students off to explore the most expensive way of gaining credentials. Why? We're a nation of people that researches the best deals on vacations, cars, refrigerators and cat food. Why is similar consumer research not done on higher education.
Your readers will be interested in a new project funded by the Gates Foundation and headed up by the delightful GenM writer, Anya Kamenetz. A new free-ebook followup to DIY U: pdf is here:
http://www.scribd.com/doc/60954896/EdupunksGuide
and e-reader version is here http://www.smashwords.com/books/view/77938.

Carol Christen, Parachute4Teens.com of CA 4:20PM September 08, 2011

Lots of freshmen change majors - so important that they realize they can so that they don't waste their time and money on something that won't fulfill them.
My best advice is to start researching early - I start working with students in Gr 9 and 10, so that by the time they get to Gr 12 they a pretty good idea on which program is best for them.
It doesn't mean they won't change their mind, but by doing research, reality-testing through camps, job shadows, attending career events, etc. they are finding out what people in those areas actually DO.
Adding to your list - Write the PSAT if you get a chance so that when time comes to write SAT you already have an idea of what it will be like, and know what you will have to work on... this year it is being written on October 12 (I think there may be a Saturday writing as well)
Begin building a portfolio for scholarships - who will you be asking for references - what do they know about you more recently - start to touch base again so that it doesn't come out of the blue - volunteer (in an area related best, but ANYWHERE is good).
Double and triple check admission requirements so that you know you are taking the right courses and meet additional admission requirements
Karen Girard, CCDP, CPRW, CEIP, CCC
www.careerplanningforstudents.com
www.karengirard.ca

Karen Girard, CCDP, CEIP, CPRW, CCC 9:59AM August 31, 2011

Mark has brought up the new elephant in the room with regard to higher education, "What you major in does not necessarily mean that's what you become, but most people think that."
Why career development and planning need to happen in high school:
1. Average national cost of gaining an academic degree is $102,000. You can use this money to buy education about anything. Why not use it, major or minor, to study something that will add to a grads employability? Those who have graduated in that last 5 years wish they would have.
2. 90% of freshmen change their majors. Which really means 90% of freshmen shouldn't be at universities. They don't know enough about themselves or the world of work to make a good decision about where to go to school. If the new major isn't at ones current school, a change of major means another school, more time and more money.
3. I highly recommend Goodman and Leiman's College Admissions: It Takes a Family. Sending a young adult to college affects everyone in the family unit. This excellent book helps parents know the dynamics which will roll through the family as higher education decisions are made.
Carol, www.parachute4teens.com

Carol Christen of CA 10:48AM August 08, 2011

i've just finish my freshman year in high school and i feel i should start searching for colleges even now. even so im slightly worried of what region to go college in. i want the best.

Tess 6:44AM August 03, 2011

Hey, great tips! It's also very important for families to visit as many colleges that they're interested in as possible, take official tours and give interviews. This signals to the admissions committee that the student is really interested and will help the student later when he/she is trying to tailor the application to each college. check out my tips for a really effective road trip here: http://bit.ly/o84EF6!

Shachi Phene of MA 10:01AM July 30, 2011

College costs and application essay writing pale to the most important aspect of the college admission process. Rising seniors I am working with are diligently researching colleges using websites such as unigo.com and collegeprowler.com in addition to the schools' websites. Current college students model for high school students what are the important things to consider when they are choosing colleges where they will apply.
Search engines are only as good as those students who know what they are looking for in an ideal college campus. What is the right size for me? My high school is only 500 students, so I want a college over 45,000. Location? What is the difference between rural and urban actually, I forget? These are red flags for most college counselors who then jump in and explain what all these things mean in terms of the education they will be getting and the ideal environment for them. The financial issue should not be the first but the last consideration. The process is much more complex than just finding colleges with affordable sticker prices. Over 60% of families don't actually pay the sticker price, just like buying a car! Money is available for those who know how to get it.
Most high school students have no clue what they want in a career let alone a major. It's way too confusing for them. What you major in does not necessarily mean that's what you become, but most people think that. I have had art majors become surgeons and English majors become top notch business executives. 90% of all freshmen change their majors at least once. Almost half transfer before the 3rd year. Research prior to that first year to know what is important for them in their education and then finding the schools that match those priorities means students are on a 4 not a 5 year plan, they don't have to transfer, the size is just right, and parents can afford the ultimate price of the school. Picking the school, then, should take place at the same time and in addition to Lynn's suggestions. However, it's not just about getting into college, it's really about getting out -- can your student be in a place where they survive and thrive?

Mark Corkery of CA 7:53PM July 26, 2011

This is also an ideal time for students to begin searching for scholarships for the upcoming school year. By starting the process now, you will have a huge head start on the competition! Scholarships are a great source of money to pay for college, but most people don’t have the time or energy to look for them. And even if they do, there is so much information out there that it can be totally overwhelming!! I spent my son's entire senior year searching for scholarships, and yes, it paid off! As a result of all my hard work and the experience I gained, I founded Scholar Dollars. We provide personalized scholarship searches for students and focus on locating more obscure and local scholarships that are harder to find, which means that our clients have a better chance of winning! You can find more information at www(dot)Scholar-Dollars(dot)com. Of course, the ultimate result and money won depends on the student’s motivation, determination, and commitment, but the money is there if you are willing to work for it!

Tracie Joyner of GA 7:51PM July 26, 2011

Lynn,
I agree with all of these tips for rising seniors. I would add that they should be working on their activity resumes as there is an activity page on just about every application. Thanks for these great tips!

Jeannie Borin, M.Ed. of CA 3:37PM July 26, 2011