December

  • Do well on your final exams this month. Junior year grades are evaluated very closely by college admission officers; earn the impressive grades needed to be accepted to your college of choice.
  • Review the results of the Preliminary SAT/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test® (PSAT/NMSQT) to identify areas of academic weakness. Work to improve your weak areas so you earn the highest scores possible on the ACT® and SAT® tests you will this coming spring and next fall.
  • Register for SAT Subject test(s)™ if your high school uses transition block scheduling (in which year-long courses are completed in one semester). Take SAT Subject Tests™ in January for the courses completed this fall. It’s best to take SAT Subject Tests™ as soon as you’ve completed the relevant class instead of waiting until the end of the school year.
  • WARNING PARENTS! – Family financial transactions completed in the coming calendar year may affect your student’s financial aid awards. Work to increase your student’s eligibility for need-based scholarships and grants and avoid pitfalls!
  • Work to ensure excellent teacher recommendations. Become well-acquainted with your favorite teachers; have them become familiar with your high quality of school work and involvement with extracurricular activities. Assistance from these teachers is VITAL TO YOUR SUCCESS as a college-bound student.
  • Visit with graduates from your high school who are home from college on winter break. Try to get an overall picture of what to expect from college life. Ask these college freshmen for advice on completing the college admission process and how to avoid pitfalls.