<p>Hello, parents?</p>
<p>I’m a Jr. I was looking into schools last summer, and my top choices have changed. I’ve decided to wait until Sr. year when I get contacted about my PSAT scores and schools who’d like to give me money.</p>
<p>I’d like to know:
<p>Most kids work on their apps the summer before and during senior year, because essays, etc., change each year. Many schools use the Common App, and that won’t be available for your class until sometime the beginning of 2006, or toward spring. Check deadlines for your schools. Depending on whether you will be applying ED, EA or RD, the dates are different and occur during your senior year.</p>
<p>The best way you can spend your junior year is this: </p>
<ol>
<li><p>Over the next few months, arrange to visit a large public university, a large private university, a medium sized university, and one or more liberal arts colleges. Try to include one school with a big Greek scene, one school that has a rep for being nerdy, one school that’s on the artsy side. They don’t have to be the schools you’ll ultimately apply to, your goal is to just soak up the atmosphere and get a feel for different types of schools and decide what you like and don’t like. After you decide which type of school is a fit for you, find other schools like it that meet the same criteria.</p></li>
<li><p>Over spring break, go to visit as many of the other schools of that type as you possibly can arrange. Do interviews whenever possible. Try to arrange a few overnights if you can. If necessary, do a few more visits over the summer or very early in senior year. This is the best possible way to prepare for the ED or EA decision.</p></li>
<li><p>Prep for the SATs in the spring. Take the SAT II’s in June if the level of schools you think you might apply to will require them.</p></li>
<li><p>Get hold of as many books about applying to college and writing essays as you can. Search the web for sites that also provide detailed information and examples. Start thinking about what you have to offer the type of colleges you’re probably going to apply to and how you can best present that through your applications, essays, and recommendations.</p></li>
<li><p>Keep your grades up and get to know some of your junior year teachers on a more personal level if possible. By the end of the year, have at least some idea of whom you might ask to write your recommendations.</p></li>
<li><p>Have an honest talk with your parents about they can realistically afford to contribute to your college education. Refine possible schools accordingly. Do some research on which colleges of the type you think you’d like best offer opportunities for merit scholarships to people with grades and test scores like yours.</p></li>
<li><p>Don’t get caught up in the idea of choosing schools just because others are talking about them or applying to them or because someone says a particular school is “prestigious.” Do get caught up in the idea of thinking about how you learn best, what type of social atmosphere and location you’d prefer. </p></li>
<li><p>Develop your list from the bottom up. That is, fall in love with some schools that you have an excellent shot of being accepted to long before you fall in love with the schools you’re less likely to get into.</p></li>
</ol>
<p>
What letters are you referring to, the “you have been accepted” letters? If so, those will generally appear either shortly after you apply (for rolling admissions), approximately mid- to late-Dec. (for EA/ED/SCEA applications), or late Mar. (for RD applications). The “national reply-by date” is May 1 (although for some schools, the earlier you reply, the better choice of dorms, etc. you may have). Sorry if that wasn’t the question you were asking…</p>
<p>
Applications will usually ask you to self-report your senior year coursework and grades so far, and include a form that you give to your guidance office, asking for your transcript and mid-year grades. That is sent by your school as a part of your application.</p>