The last semester for high school seniors has begun, which means that the February 1 regular admission deadline for colleges is fast approaching. If you’re making last minute edits to your application or looking for ways to keep yourself in good standing as colleges make their decisions, we’ve rounded up the best tips for high school seniors who are hoping to gain entry to their top college choices for the fall 2019 semester:
Send your transcript and test scores to colleges you’ve applied to.
The application for college is extensive, so it’s easy to feel like you’re done once you’ve sent it off. However, you have to make sure that your high school transcript and test scores from the SAT and/or ACT are sent to all of the colleges you’ve applied to as well. In many cases, your guidance counselor will be responsible for sending your transcript as long as you let them know where to send it to. Test scores must be sent directly from the College Board and can be done either before or after your test day.
Find ways to express interest in your top college choice.
Colleges want to know that you are serious about gaining admission and becoming part of their community. While scheduling an official tour of campus is a great option, sometimes that isn’t feasible. Luckily, there are plenty of other ways to express your excitement about being accepted. Signing up for their mailing list, reaching out to admissions recruiters via email, or writing a well-thought-out supplemental essay are all great ways to show interest without stepping on campus.
Be mindful of what you’re posting on social media.
Before you hit ‘send,’ take a moment to think: “could posting this make me look bad?” In an age where everyone is connected, it can be easy to lose sight of the fact that anything you post is out there for anyone to see—including admissions advisors at colleges. The same way you can be denied a job for what you post on social media, you can be denied admission to a college for the same thing. A good rule of thumb to follow is if your grandma wouldn’t approve, don’t post it!
Highlight volunteer experiences on your application.
Do you spend time giving back to your community? In addition to good grades and test scores, colleges want to see that you’ve made an impact on the world around you. They want to make sure that the students they offer admission to will be successful and make a difference both inside and outside of the classroom. Be sure to include any volunteer experience you have on your college applications!
Maintain your good grades.
The first half of senior year is officially over—how are your grades looking? It’s important to maintain good grades in your final semesters of high school because even if a college has offered you admission, they can retract their offer if your grades slip. It may seem like a good idea to succumb to ‘senioritis,’ but your future self will thank you for staying on track when you’re attending your dream school.
