College Application Planning Tips to Ease Your Pain-新东方前途出国

Time 

To-Do-List 

Fall 

· Books:  Build your reading list by looking for books, magazines and news  that interest you. Make reading your daily habit. 

· Courses:  Select in-school courses that interest you .(for students in  International Schools & US High Schools) 

· Exams:  Prepare for the Entrance Exam .(only applicable for some students) 

· Grades:  Keep an eye on your grades, tests and overall academic performance.  (NOTE: Grade 9 transcripts are necessary for college  application) 

· Activities/Awards:  Participate in activities in/out of school to start building your  resume for college application. E.g. work in parents’ company during the  summer vacation. (NOTE: Activities and awards  starting from Grade 9 will be accepted in college application) 

· Campus Tours:  Visit US colleges if you happen to tour around the US (E.g.  vacation, summer programs, summer school, study abroad programs, etc.) 

· Interests:  Summer is the best time to explore interests through activities. 

· TOEFL:  Take the first TOEFL test in Grade 9 to have a better  understanding of your English level. 

Winter 

Spring 

Summer 

Time 

To-Do-List 

Fall 

· Start by adjusting to your new school and environment. (NOTE: only applicable to students who have just entered a  new high school) 

·  Identify and get to know your Counselor (班主任) because your counselor will be in charge of your courses and  your transcripts. (NOTE: He/she may also be your  counselor up till Grade 12; thus, you will need to work closely with him/her  to submit your transcripts and recommendation letters for college application)   

· Consider taking another TOEFL; aim 100+ so that you can consider  summer programs. (with credits) 

Winter 

·  Identify your academic strengths and weaknesses based on school  report cards or tests. 

· Discuss with your teachers and counselor on ways to improve in  areas that need attention. (NOTE: AOs are impressed  when student’s grades show steady improvement) 

· For students who have achieved TOEFL score of 90+, students can  then consider taking AP classes during the winter break. 

· Participate in winter camps/research/competition. 

Spring 

·  Consider taking a few AP tests in May. 

· Apply for summer programs (credit/non-credit.  NOTE: For students who applied to non-credit programs this  year, you can consider applying to summer programs that offer credits in the  following summer) 

Summer 

·  Attend summer programs. (credit/non-credit) 

· Participate in volunteering activities. 

· Participate in academic enrichment programs/competitions/debates. 

· Attend SAT/ACT and TOEFL classes during summer. 

· For students interested in ACT, you should begin taking classes  during the summer holidays. 

THIS IS THE BEST TIME TO  PARTICIPATE IN ACTIVITIES! 

Throughout the year  全年 

· Read  Books!! (at least 1 English novel a month) 

· Participate  in activities in/out of school .(your goal is to have at least 5 awards and 10  activities because they are REQUIRED for your college application) 

· Identify  your interest and major. 

· Make  sure to do at least 1 Community Service/volunteering activity! 

· Maintain  and improve grades and GPA!!! 

Time 

To-Do-List 

Fall 

·  Make sure to meet with your school counselor because this year,  you will start to engage in the college application process. 

· Prepare for standardized tests. 

· Take the TOEFL test. 

· Take the SAT exam so that you get a head start on planning for  college. 

Winter 

·  If not the SAT, take the ACT in December so that you get a head  start on planning for college. 

· Consider taking challenging courses next year (For students who  are able to select courses in school.  NOTE: Taking  college-level or honors courses will help you prepare for college work –  these are courses that college AOs like to see) 

· Consider taking Advanced Placement (AP) Exams and SAT Subject  Tests (SAT II) during summer. Getting a 4 or 5 in APs and 800 in SAT II  demonstrate mastery of the material. 

· Plan your next standardized test dates. (TOEFL and SAT) 

· Discuss summer plans and potential programs in America. 

· Apply for summer school. (Suggestion:  Credited Summer Programs. NOTE: Credited programs offers an F1 Student Visa) 

· Final push for January SAT .(if taking it) 

Spring 

·  Take SAT. 

· Apply for summer school if you have not already done so in  December. 

· Prepare for AP test in May. (2-4 subjects) 

· Update your activity list. (participate in more activities during  summer if you have very few on your list) 

· Prepare for next TOEFL exam. (if planning to retake) 

· Start discussing about some potential universities to apply. 

· Take TOEFL exam. (if planning to retake) 

Summer 

·  Attend summer school. (if you have been granted an offer) 

· Take SAT. (if planning to retake) 

· Take AP test. 

· Consider SAT Subject Test. (if satisfied with SAT scores) 

· Start your college application .(Create an account on Common  Application, Coalition Application and UC System) 

· Prepare a Resume/CV. 

· Start considering which schools you hope to apply. (Reach, Match  and Safety) 

· Begin your Personal Statement draft and UC essays. 

· Continue to participate in activities that are more related to  your area of interest .(e.g. Internships, summer programs, research, tutoring,  competition, etc.).  THIS IS THE BEST TIME TO PARTICIPATE IN ACTIVITIES! 

· Ask your teachers for recommendation letters .(in-school &  summer school) 

Throughout the year  全年 

· Read  Books!! (at least 1 English novel a month) 

· Participate  in activities in/out of school .(your goal is to have at least 5 awards and 10  activities because they are REQUIRED for your college application) 

· Identify  your interest and major. 

· Make  sure to do at least 1 Community Service/volunteering activity! 

· Maintain  and improve grades and GPA!!! 

Time 

To-Do-List 

Fall 

·  Finalize school list by end of September. (8-12 schools) 

· Complete Personal Statement by end of September because the  earliest college application deadline is Oct 15 .(e.g. UVA, UNC-Chapel Hill,  GIT) 

· Revise supplemental essays from colleges. 

· Complete and submit college applications. 

· Retake the SAT and the ACT. (if necessary) 

· Prepare for RD/ED2 Application. (due between Dec – Feb) 

Winter 

·  Continue to participate in activities because your application may  be deferred or you may be put on the waitlist. Hence, having new activities  and achievements will allow you to update the AOs about your progress. 

· Continue to write RD supplemental essays. 

· Follow up closely on your application/progress. 

· Activate school portals and accounts; make sure your application  statuses are COMPLETE. (NOTE: AOs will not review your  application if your status is incomplete) 

Spring 

·  Complete and submit RD application at least 1 week before the  deadline. 

· Check e-mail regularly for updates and notifications from colleges. 

· Make a Excel table to keep track of all the log-in details and  progress. 

· Accept offer before May 1 and pay a tuition deposit. 

· Waitlist Letter: You may need to write a “love letter” to update  schools about your progress and also to show your continued interest in their  school if you hope to stay on the waitlist and maybe get off the waitlist  after May 1. 

Summer 

·  Complete remaining paperwork after accepting a college. (housing,  pre-orientation registration, placement tests, health/medical, tuition fee  payment, request I20, apply student VISA, final transcript and graduation  certificate submission and etc.) 

· Make connections. Attend local events for accepted students, join  freshmen community on WeChat or other social media. 

· Make appointment with local clinics for physical check and  immunization. 

· Get to know new roommate/dorm mate before going abroad. 

· Complete any necessary online courses (campus safety, alcohol,  drugs, mental health, etc.) 

· Purchase an insurance. 

· Make travel plans; Purchase flight ticket .(one-way/return) 

· Calendar all important campus-event dates from the school  website!!