May

  • Take the SAT Test™ this month.
  • Volunteer for leadership roles during your senior year: Run for class office, start a new club, be student leader in a community organization, etc. Leadership experience is one of the most highly prized student qualifications sought by college admission officers.
  • Attend a college fair (if you haven’t already). College fairs offer an excellent opportunity to visit with admission officers and to compare and contrast schools for free.
  • Take steps to obtain great recommendations from educators. Mention to teachers and counselors with whom you have established respectful, hard-working relationships that you plan to ask them for letters of recommendation this coming fall. They will appreciate being informed early and may place you on top of the stack of requests next fall. Say goodbye before you leave school for the summer and demonstrate some of the personal qualities college admission officers are seeking - be engaged and caring.
  • Secure jobs and internships for the summer. Ask your high school counselor, local business owners and service clubs about summer jobs and internships that involve your college major. Ask early – the closer time gets to summer, the more likely the preferred jobs and internships will be taken by other students.
  • Plan to work hard this summer to impress your employers, supervisors or course instructors; these are people you may ask for letters of recommendation in the fall of your senior year . . . but only if you do an excellent job for them this summer.
  • If you will have a job this summer, save as much money as possible for college. However, beware of pitfalls.
  • Consider enrolling in a community college class this summer. Taking a class will impress college admission officers and will put you "ahead of the game" by earning college credits before you graduate high school. Go to your local community college's website to see the classes offered this summer.
  • If you plan to major in Visual Arts, the colleges you apply to will require a portfolio of your best art work (or photographs). Save your best works of art from your junior year; you may have the opportunity to include them in your portfolio.
  • Update your student résumé to include junior year activities and accomplishments.
  • Be prepared to implement the senior year application strategy. The senior application strategy emphasizes the importance of highlighting your strengths and uniqueness to show that extra “something” that sets you apart from other college applicants.
  • If interested in attending a military academy, contact an academy representative and start the application process as soon as possible.
  • Discuss college options and costs with your parents over the summer. Keep in mind a small, private university may offer you substantial scholarships and cost you less than large, public schools that offer very little financial aid.
  • Parents - Plan to help your student with college preparation, the admission process, and college enrollment tasks over the next 16 months. Get informed and help with the important decisions ahead.