Things To Do This Month

1. Make a list of which colleges you plan to apply to (usually 7-8). Be sure your list includes 1-2 reach or dream schools, 3-4 50-50 schools, and 1-2 safety schools.

2. Gather as much information as possible about the schools, including applications. Try to visit the campuses if you haven't already done so. It's a good idea to send a letter via snail mail giving the admissions office a little bit of background on you and requesting information for the programs you are interested in. This helps them start a file on you and allows them to send you any pertinent information in the future. Please see below to download TWO example letters requesting more information.

3. If you haven't done so already, you should sign up to take the SAT Reasoning Test, the SAT Subject Tests, and the ACT. You want to take each test at least once so that you have more options to choose from. Some students do way better on one test than the other (we have seen students go up over 200 points just by taking the other test). There are several ways to prepare for the tests including taking a course from companies such as Princeton Review, Kaplan, Ivy West or Eureka. You can also take FREE practice tests at Cavhs.org (California Virtual High School sponsored by the UC system).

4. Start filling out applications as they become available. Many colleges are encouraging students to fill them out online and sometimes reduce the application fee or even waive them completely if you do it this way. To see if the school you are applying to has an online application, you can go to the admissions section on the school's webpage.

5. Talk to admissions reps when they come visit BQHS. Listen to the announcements or watch this website to see who will be here each day. Often times, college reps will waive your application fee if you come talk to them during the lunchtime visits (and when fees are around $60 each, that's a lot of money you'll be saving!!).

6. Keep your grades up (or improve them)!!! Most of the private schools look at your first semester grades from your Senior year and even some of the UCs and Cal States have started looking at what you are doing that seventh semester. For some of you, it can make a difference between getting in or not.