Become More Productive When Preparing for College: Checklist For Success

Being a teenager typically means hanging out with friends; experiencing extracurricular activities like an after school job, or internship; and lots and lots of sleep. But times are changing, and the internet is partly at play. According to a recent report from the Pew Institute, teens spend an average of just over 3 hours every weekday online, and nearly four hours over the weekend; and an increased amount of time sleeping (9 hours on weekdays, 11 on weekends). All of this does not bode well for college preparation. Prelum, powered by Kaplan, is here to help.

If you are a high school student with dreams of going to college, and someday having the job of your dreams, this article will provide you with checklists and a downloadable organizational worksheet to help you stay on-track in your college search. 

But first, the landscape for college admissions is changing — here are five key things to know:

1. Changes to Standardized Testing: There are recent changes that are impacting the process of college applications. One key change is the return of standardized tests, such as the ACT and the SAT. According to Vox, colleges are bringing back standardized tests, with about one out of three universities currently being test optional. One reason, revealed in a study by Harvard economists, shows that making these tests “optional” actually harm lower-income students. In addition, a Dartmouth study found that test scores were a better indicator of success than grades, essays, or teacher recommendations.
2. Digital Tests: Standardized tests, including the ACT and SAT, are now digital. This is an important change and can cause stress due to the shorter time you have for each question, and the new digital format. Taking practice exams will ensure that you will experience less stress on test day.
3. Focus on Character: Universities are putting a greater focus today on your character, and how well you express your experiences and dreams for the future. This makes solid writing skills a must. It’s important to know that admissions officers are looking for original, creative content. Using ChatGPT could result in a negative response. 
4. Competition has Risen: There are more qualified applicants than available spaces. This has always been a challenge, but more so today because U.S. colleges admit so many foreign students. In fact, more than 1 million students of foreign countries attend U.S. universities. Choose carefully when you create your list of schools you’ll apply to. It's important to determine whether each school would be a good fit, and how difficult entry may be.
5. Increase in Extracurricular Importance: Extracurriculars have always been important, but today it goes beyond athletics and the debate team. Young people are building businesses, serving as influencers, doing internships, writing blogs, and holding after-school jobs. These activities, along with good grades and test scores, will make your resume stand out.

Preparing for college with pre-college programs

Having an idea of what you want to major in helps a lot when you start putting together your list of colleges. Prelum partners with top universities to offer summer enrichment programs for high school students like you. Our partner schools also offer ways for high school students to get ahead that you can take anyplace, anytime that works with your schedule. Courses run the gamut from medicine and law to business, fashion, even digital gaming. The options are endless, and the experience enables you to hone in on what schools and which majors work best for you.

Next, let’s explore the aforementioned checklists and downloadable organizational worksheets.

Taking a more productive path to your future — create your checklist

Freshman and sophomore years checklist:

• Meet with your school counselor and choose classes that best position you for college.
• Pick extracurriculars: sports, groups, or clubs that fit your interests.
• Take a vocational test, such as the Armed Services Vocational Aptitude Battery (ASVAB) to see how your talents and interests align with careers. 
• Stay on top of your grades: it’s best to show consistency than to take off senior year.
• Start thinking about financial aid. Consult with your parents or guardian to see what will be affordable.
• Take the practice PSAT — a great trial run for the ACT and/or the SAT.
• Track your accomplishments: athletic and academic awards as well as community service and after-school jobs
• Start researching colleges and rank by geography, majors, admission practices, and student cohort.
• Apply for an enrichment program or college preparation online course that fits your interests.
• Talk with college students (siblings, friends, older siblings, and neighbors) to get an idea of their experiences.

Junior year checklist:

• Meet with your school counselor to ensure you are taking the courses you need for college and to discuss scholarship opportunities.
• Take the ASVAB (or a similar vocational test) to see if your career hopes are still on track.
• Take the PSAT in October (determines if you are eligible for The National Merit Scholarship Program).
• Attend college fairs and talk with college reps who visit your school.
• Review your situation with respect to tuition and college aid programs.
• Mark your calendar for test schedules such as the ACT and SAT — take practice tests.
• Show your leadership profile by pursuing extracurriculars.
• Apply for college preparation programs that let you earn Certificates of Completion.
• Visit local colleges to see if a close-to-home option has what you seek.
• Take a practice test, either the ACT or SAT, to test your readiness.
• Sit down with your counselor to plan out senior year courses (see if you can get some AP classes) and review scholarship opportunities.
• Make contact with people who you plan to ask for recommendation letters.
• Find a summer internship or job in a field related to your career aspirations, such as a bank, law firm or hospital.
• Visit college campuses you are considering.

Senior year checklist:

• Use our handy college application tracker to populate your chosen schools. [LINK]
• Mark your calendar with key dates such as tests, financial aid seminars, and application deadlines.
• Make a final list of your top college choices.
• Consider early application.
• Complete your college essays and have a teacher or parent proofread them.
• Take the ACT/SAT or SAT Subject tests.
• Gather all letters of recommendation.
• Submit all college applications.
• Follow up on scholarship opportunities.
• Review opportunities for financial aid. Submit FAFSA by October 1.
• Follow-up with college admission people to see if they got your application.
• Submit midyear grades report to schools that require them; ask your school counselor to do this on your behalf.
• Evaluate early decisions. If you apply for this, you will need to withdraw applications to other schools.
• Review your Student Aid Report (SAR).
• Check the mail for admission decisions which should begin to come in the spring.
• Compare the different financial aid packages with your parents and school counselor.
• Make your decision.
• Inform the other schools you applied to of your final choice.
• Take your AP exams; a good score could earn you college credit for any AP classes you took in high school.
• Complete your enrollment papers.
• Have your school counselor send out your final transcript to the college you plan to attend .

Discover all the pre-college enrichment resources available through Prelum, and start your journey to college early.