TOP 10 COLLEGE PREP TIPS:
SENIOR EDITION
PREFECT YOUR COMMON APP
This is it, showtime. Make sure that your common app is ready to submit. Double-check it for grammar, usage, and mechanics mistakes. Have a teacher or two go over it. Read it to a friend and see what they think. Essentially your essays can never be too perfect.
APPLY FOR SCHOLARSHIPS
Scholarships are essential when it comes to paying for college. There are lots of different places that offer them. VSAC has a book full of scholarships and grants that you can look at. Find the ones that sound the most like you and apply. In addition, local banks and businesses give out scholarships as well. Do your research and make sure you have everything you need before you apply. Use a google doc to keep track of it all.
fill out vsac's vt grant application
If you're considering going to college, you should fill out BOTH the FAFSA and the VSAC Vermont Grant Application. Although money is not guaranteed, the majority of kids from Winooski get aid. Yes, you can get more free money for college! The application is similar to the FAFSA so try to fill them out in the same sitting that way you don't have to re-look up and information.
ASK FOR LETTERS OF RECOMMENDATION
Oftentimes scholarship and college applications require letters of recommendation. This is where having a good relationship with your teachers comes in handy. Ask for a letter of recommendation from the teachers who know you best and will speak about you positively. When asking for a letter be specific. Do your research. Give the teacher the reason for the letter, what qualities specifically you hope they highlight, and ask them if they have any questions about you. Make sure they get the whole picture and can speak to ALL of your accomplishments, even the ones outside of school.
create a college budget
Once you have everything figured out. You know what college you are going to, the potential federal financial aid and grants you've received create a budget spreadsheet. See how much money you'll need to save up for books versus how much money you have. Although this may be scary, it will help you figure out how much money you need to save up the summer before college, and/or how much money you have to spend each month while you're in college. Everyone's situation is different, but a budget sheet can help anyone.
If you have any questions, let us know! We are here for YOU (:
consider early action
Early Action is a type of college application that allows you to hear back from the college earlier than normal. The Early Action deadline is typically November 1st but can vary from school to school. If you do apply for Early Action, you will hear back from schools earlier and it may help you make your decision sooner. However, make sure you are fully prepared before you click the submit button.
FILL OUT FAFSA
FAFSA, the Free Application for Federal Student Aid, aka the loan gods. The majority of students will need to fill out the FAFSA in order to be approved for educational loans. Educate yourself on the different types of loans and what they mean for you in terms of repayment. If you need help filling out the FAFSA ask your guidance counselor! The FAFSA opens up on October 1st, and it should be complete by January 1st!
tAKE A DUAL ENROLLMENT COURSE
You are SO CLOSE. That being said, you should strongly consider using up one of your dual enrollment courses. You can take a course in the fall, spring, or summer! I do NOT recommend you take a winter course because they are shorter and tend to be overwhelming for someone who does not have any college experience. Not all dual enrollment courses will transfer into the college of your choice, so make sure that you check your prospective college's registrar page! Some of the most universally transferable courses are English, Sociology, Psychology, Statistics, and Medical Terminology.
We recommend taking your first course at CCV and your second at UVM so you can get a feel for how smaller and larger schools operate.
Reflect on your extracurricular log
Remember how we told you to write everything down? This is the moment you've been waiting for. Make sure you go over all of your extracurricular records and achievements, include everything, tally up the hours you spent doing each activity. Think about what tasks were the most meaningful to you and include those in the common app. Make sure you include references too!
ENJOY THE SUMMER BEFORE COLLEGE
There are a ton of ways to spend this summer- do what is right for YOU. The minimum working age in Vermont is 14 so you could get a job to make some extra money. Maybe you love being outdoors and working with kids. See if any local camps are hiring or need a volunteer! (If you play basketball check out Spartan Hoop Camp). Take the time you need to recharge for the upcoming school year, but make sure that you have FUN! This is your last summer before you go to college, see your friends and family, do what makes you happy.