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UTILIZING YOUR SUMMER!
Students who will be seniors in 2008-2009 are encouraged to make the most of their summer. To get the most out of your summer break, be active and spend your time doing something productive such as working, volunteering, or planning for college.
- Find a job - If possible, find a job that you enjoy and will help you with your long term career aspirations. For example, if your goal is to be a teacher, look for jobs that will allow you to work with students in some capacity like a student tutor or camp counselor position.
- Volunteer - Volunteering is a great way to help your community, enhance your skills, improve your resume, and add experiences to your college and scholarship applications. You can find opportunities at food banks, homeless shelters, hospitals or anywhere else in your community.
- Create a resume - This should be a record of your accomplishments, activities, and work experiences since you began high school. Include your volunteering experience and any awards or recognition you have received. Leadership positions in clubs or organizations should also be listed. A resume is vital when you ask faculty or friends for letters of recommendation. If they have all of the information about you at their fingertips, the letter they write for you will benefit.
- Plan for college - The summer is a good time to research schools and narrow you options. Search various college and university websites for general information about schools, admissions requirements and tuition costs. Download applications and make a note of due dates and essay topics. Remember - there is never an "optional essay" - always do it!
- Visit the colleges you have narrowed your search to. By doing this you can learn more about their academics, student and campus life, financial aid options and to get a more intimate feel for the campus.
- If you need to improve your SAT and/or ACT scores, use the summertime to do it. Take a prep class and register for a test date. Test scores weigh heavily in college acceptances.
- Consider this when you are applying to schools: Even if you know exactly where you wish to attend, and you know you will get accepted, DO NOT only apply to one school. According to the College Financial Advisors, applying to 6-10 schools will increase your likelihood of receiving scholarships from colleges.
REMEMBER:
In the College Board's Annual Survey (Fall 2006), 1,946 four-year colleges rated six factors as "very important or important" in being indicators of success in college.
School Achievement 89%
Test Scores 85%
Recommendations 48%
Essay 43%
Interview 31%
Activities 30%
Percentages are based on the number of institutions identifying the factor as a priority.
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