Milford Central School District

College planning:  How to get started

JUNIORS:

On Wednesday, October 12, juniors will have the opportunity to take the College Board PSAT.  This is a practice test for the SAT as well as the National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test. This year, the College Board may offer this test administration on multiple days to allow for social distancing during testing.

During January and February, I meet with juniors to review PSAT scores, discuss the upcoming senior year and start the college and career planning process. 

Spring is the time for juniors to get out there and visit college campuses. I have included links to several great web sites to begin the college search.  There are key points for juniors to consider in finding the right college. 

*Determine what you are looking for.

Start with you:  Make lists of your abilities, social/cultural preferences, and personal qualities. Make a list of criteria that are important to you and that you will use to evaluate all the colleges you visit, such as academic programs, class size, campus housing, sports, clubs and activities, job placement statistics, study abroad opportunities, internships, etc... L

* Prepare for college visits. 

Log in to your Naviance account and explore the Supermatch College search link.  There is so much great information available to students and families. You can explore the links to each college that comes up on your search.

Talk to friends, family, teachers, and recent grads of your school now in college.  Make a list of questions to bring along on the visit.  Take a tour, meet with an admissions representative, ask students what they think of the college.  

* Schedule the visit when classes are in session. 

Although it is not always possible to visit during the academic year, being on campus when classes are in session will give you a better feel for the campus.  If the visit occurs during class times, when registering for the visit and tour, ask if it would be possible to sit in on a class. 

* Take notes. 

Jot down your impressions during or immediately after the visit.  This will help you when you are comparing colleges later. 

If you had an interview or had a great tour guide, write a short thank you note!  It will further demonstrate your interest in the college. 

SAT and/or ACT registration

Students should sign up to take the SAT and/or ACT at least once in the spring and again next fall.  The tests are offered locally at either Oneonta High School or Cooperstown High School.  Students must register online by the deadlines.  The links to register for the ACT and SAT are below. The SAT is scheduled in May and June.  The ACT is available in April  and June.  Fee waivers are available for students with financial need.  To prepare, download practice booklets form www.collegeboard.com  (for the SAT) or from www.actstudent.org (for the ACT).

You may want to consider taking the SAT Subject tests in the spring.  You should take them while course material is still fresh in your mind.  You can download "Taking the SAT Subject Tests," which offers test-prep advice, from www.collegeboard.com.

SENIORS:

At the beginning of the senior year I schedule a meeting with each senior. All parents are welcome to be a part of this important meeting.  The college search process may seem overwhelming.  However, I have created a document called the Senior Year Checklist to help create a sense of order to the many dates, deadlines, and information students need to remember.  You can click on the file below to view the document.

Related Links