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College Planning Resources

College Information | College Planning Timelines | College “Search Engines” | College Entrance Testing | College Applications | Visiting Colleges | College Value (Return on Investment) Resources

College Information

College Planning Timelines

College “Search Engines”

College Entrance Testing

For the Class of 2021, the coronavirus severely disrupted the typical process and expectations related to acquiring and utilizing college entrance exam scores, including both SAT Scores and ACT Scores.

  • The majority of SAT and ACT Test Administrations were cancelled in Spring 2020, and subsequent test dates have proven to be unreliable.  Consequently, many members of the Class of 2021 have had difficulty acquiring test scores.
  • In response to the difficulty students have had acquiring scores, the majority of colleges now have “Test-Optional” admissions policies for the 2020-21 application cycle, allowing students to have their application reviewed equitably with or without including SAT or ACT scores.
  • Different colleges have addressed their testing policy for future application cycles in various ways, from returning to a requirement for test scores to committing to ongoing test optional policies.

For members of the Class of 2022 (and beyond), two recommendations:

  1. Proceed with a game plan to acquire SAT and/or ACT scores for use with any college that allows or requires the submission of college entrance test scores.  Even at a test-optional college, strong scores can be an asset to admissability.
  2. Include the entrance testing policy in the information you gather about colleges as you conduct your research.

With the continued relevance of the goal to acquire college entrance test scores you feel represent your abilities well, our long-standing advice still pertains:

Students should develop a timeline and game plan for their college entrance exam test prep and testing.  Which tests to take, when to take them, how to prepare, and whether the student qualifies for testing fee waivers or testing accommodations are all questions that need to be addressed.

It is a very good strategic idea to take one or more college entrance tests in the spring of the junior year.  Most four-year colleges require either SAT scores or ACT scores to help them decide who to admit and/or to whom to award merit-based scholarships.   With rare exception, colleges that require test scores will accept scores from either test.

Some colleges require that applicants submit SAT: Subject Tests in addition to SAT scores. Such colleges tend to be in the more selective or highly selective category.  Be sure to check the requirements of each school you may apply to.  The best time to take SAT: Subject Tests is at the end of a school year in which you’ve studied the material covered on the test.  Learn more about SAT: Subject Tests here.

“Test-Optional” colleges don’t require SAT/ACT scores but rather allow you to choose if you will submit SAT/ACT scores.  Many two-year colleges and a growing number of four-year colleges don’t include them in their admissions process at all.  Your research will eventually teach you what entrance tests, if any, each of your college choices requires. (Visit Fairtest.org for a list of colleges that are test-optional.)

Here are some quick tips as you consider taking the SAT and/or ACT:
  1. Practice and Prepare for your college entrance tests.  
    a. As with any test, prepping for the SAT/ACT will lead to a stronger score.   Practice materials, including the PSAT and the Pre-ACT are excellent “practice runs” you can take to improve your performance on the actual college entrance tests.  Both practice tests provide lots of feedback for you to use.
    b. Consider using online prep tools, test prep books, and the SAT/ACT prep class offered at school (learn more about the class from Mr. Elder)
  2. Register for the SAT and/or ACT online with the test agencies.
    a. SAT:  www.sat.collegeboard.org
    b. ACT: www.actstudent.org
  3. Taking both the SAT and ACT in the spring of junior year allows you to identify which test shows off your strengths better.
    a. In Spring 2018, College Board and ACT have released official concordance tables to convert SAT and ACT scores. View the concordance tables using resources created by Compass Education Group.
  4.  Compare your scores to the average or mid-50% range scores listed by the colleges you are considering.  Research the scores needed to qualify for different merit-based scholarships from the college.
  5. You may be eligible for a fee-waiver, which provides a lot of additional resources beyond waiving the test fee.
    a. Fee-waivers for both tests are available from your school counselor
    b. ACT fee-waiver information
    c. SAT fee-waiver information
  6. Consider retesting, or taking the other test, in the fall of senior year if:
    a. Your scores end up being lower than the scores of admitted students listed by the colleges you are considering.
    b. You want to try to qualify for a stronger merit award at a college.
    c. You feel that your first scores don’t represent your best ability.
  7. If you receive testing accommodations for school tests, you do not automatically receive them on the SAT/ACT.  Your accommodations must be approved by the test agency.  Speak to your school counselor to start the approval process.
Resources

College Applications

Visiting Colleges

Visiting college campuses is an extremely valuable part of the college selection process.  Stepping into the physical environment that could be your new home for two or four years will help you assess the campus fit like no other means.  The people, the campus setting and community, the dorms, the academic and athletic facilities, the campus energy — you’ll learn so much by visiting a campus.

Please be sure to read the guidance provided on college websites about registering for campus visits, health-related requirements for those visiting campus, and other opportunities they provide, including admissions information sessions and interviews.

It isn’t always possible to visit campuses you’re interested in.  Distance, expense, and time limitations can make it difficult to set foot on campus.  Although they can’t provide the same tangible experience as an actual campus visit, online tours can give you a glimpse of the setting and resources offered by particular colleges.  In response to COVID-campus closures, many colleges beefed up their virtual visit resources, including video tours and virtual, student-led campus tours.  Each college admissions office website will let you see what resources they offer for virtual visits and tours.

In addition, the following websites have partnered with various colleges to allow you to “visit” campuses virtually by providing video tours, interactive photo tours, and other resources.

College Value (Return on Investment) Resources

Student Resume

Having a student resume will come in handy as you enter the college and scholarship application process.

If you have a resume, make sure it is updated to include junior year information.  If you haven’t developed your resume yet, now is the time to do it.

Resumes can be formatted in many different ways.  I recommend including four sections:

  • Personal information (name and contact information)
  • Academic information (school name, type of diploma expected, GPA, special courses taken, academic honors and awards that you’ve received)
  • Extracurricular activities (clubs, sports, including leadership positions held)
  • Work experiences (paid and volunteer)

Make sure that your resume is easy to read and contains the most important information that you want the reader to know.  Most resumes can present this information on one page.  If needed, you can use two pages.  Resumes of three or more pages should be revised so they can be shortened.  Your resume should be included in college and scholarship applications and given to those who are writing a recommendation for you. 

Using a resume saves you time and helps make sure that you haven’t forgotten any important information.  Sample student resumes are attached as examples; your format may differ based on your information and preferences.

Steps for preparing your resume:

1.   Brainstorm a list of your activities, awards received, and work experiences

2.   Organize your brainstormed information into a 1 or 2 page resume
a.    Organize either chronologically (most recent first) or by the significance or importance of the activity/award (most significant first)
b.   Be sure to include positions held that demonstrate responsibility (officer, captain, team leader)

3.   Check the layout of your resume
a.    Avoid large blank areas on the page
b.   Balance your use of space on the page
c.    Check and double-check for spelling and grammatical errors

4.   Ask several adults to review your resume before sending it to a college

5.   Keep a “master copy” of your resume that can be added to or altered depending on who you are sending it you.

For more help developing your resume, check out the resources on resumelab.com.