Senior

What to do in Twelfth Grade

Academic Success Skills

Intensive Essay Writing: Now that you have identified the colleges you will apply to, request their applications as soon as possible and start writing, editing, and sharing your essays with teachers, tutors, and mentors. Once you have sent in your applications, you can start preparing for college. Work with your tutors and mentors on how to write term, research, and response papers.

Tutoring/Homework Help: Even though your final grades will not be a part of your college applications, they will be sent to schools at the end of the year and they must remain consistent with, or surpass, your earlier work. If you need any help with honors and AP classes, you should be working with a tutor at least once a week.

Standardized Test Prep: If you thought the PSAT was difficult, try the SAT on for size. The only way to a really high SAT score is a test prep class. Many schools and programs offer them for free or for a reduced cost.

College Guidance

Advisement: This is the crucial time to make sure you are on the right track with your college applications. Meet with your guidance counselor at least twice a month and be prepared to share your application progress at each of these meetings.

College Trips/College Fairs: In the fall, try to attend as many college fairs in your area as possible – maybe there is a school that you hadn’t considered before that is just right for you. Ask for business cards of representatives from schools you are interested in, and write them a note thanking them for their time, requesting to be put on their mailing list, and asking any questions you may have. Colleges track all applicants’ correspondence, and give preference to students who stay in touch. Once you have narrowed down the colleges you are planning to apply to, visit them. If visiting is not possible, try to meet with students or alumni in your area that can tell you more about what it was like to attend that college.

College Interviews: Schedule interviews with representatives from your top college choices who live in your area. Be prepared with a list of questions about their experiences at the school – they are more likely to give you a positive recommendation if you seem very interested and eager.

Family College Admissions/Financial Aid Workshops: Request the financial aid applications from the schools you are applying to, and review them with your family. If you or your family have questions, meet with your guidance counselor, who can help you decipher the forms. Identify and apply to scholarships – you may have to use your essay writing skills here as well.

College Admissions Mentoring: Your mentor can help you with every step of your college application – from helping you solicit recommendations from teachers, to identifying the information you will need from your school, to reading and responding to your essays. You should meet with your mentor at least twice a month until your applications are in the mail. Once you have applied, your mentor can help you prepare for what to expect once you actually start college the following year.

Leadership Development

Personal/Leadership Development Workshops: Once you have applied for and been accepted to the colleges of your choice, it is important to know what you’re in for. There may be workshops in your area that can help you navigate through time stress management, critical thinking, and other college survival skills.