Student Checklist for Early College Planning

Labor Day Weekend has arrived, and in many ways it’s similar to New Years Day.  It’s the start of a new year -- not the calendar year, but the academic year.  For students, it’s the perfect time to make mental (or paper) checklists to be sure that they’re on track to meet all of their future goals.

Students should carefully consider their schedule for the new school year, to be sure that the courses they will be taking will allow them to complete all of the courses they want to have under their belt by graduation day.  For example, students with dreams of attending a top college to major in engineering should be sure to get through calculus while in high school.  If they’re not on track to do so, perhaps they should double up on math this year.

Students who recognize that demonstrated leadership is an important quality to college admission officers may want to join a club or organization, of which they are particularly passionate, early in their high school years. Through dedicated involvement as freshmen and sophomores, the opportunity for leadership roles will be great in junior and senior years.

Students aiming to earn a college athletic or music scholarship should choose their area of specialty quite carefully.  According to the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA), the odds of getting an athletic scholarship for men is greatest in gymnastics, fencing and ice hockey.  For woman, the odds are reportedly greatest in rowing, equestrian and rugby. As for budding musicians, recommended instruments that have the best odds of leading to college scholarships include the harp, tuba, oboe, bassoon and cello.

Students should also plan, well in advance, when they will take their SAT exam. The test is given each year in October, November, December, March, May, June and August.  Some high schools have prom the evening before the May SAT, which leads many students (wisely) to skip that test date.  Some students have family or school commitments on other SAT test dates.  So students should plan well in advance and mark their calendars for the dates they will be taking this all-important exam.  Students should remember that they can take the SAT as many times as they want and (for most colleges) only submit their highest scores.   
Just like New Years Day, the start of the academic year gives students limitless opportunities to make checklists and resolutions that will serve them well when the time to file college applications rolls around.  

Susan Alaimo is the founder of SAT Smart. For the past 25 years, SAT Smart’s Ivy League educated tutors have prepared students for the PSAT, SAT, ACT, Subject Tests, AP courses, and all high school subjects. Visit www.SATsmart.com or call 908-369-5362.