Summer is all about eating ice cream, laying out, and goofing off with your friends as much as possible, right? Well pre-collegiette, here you might be a tad off. Because while summer is the season for late nights and road trips, it can also be an awesome opportunity to get a start on the college application process. You finally get to take a breather from school and think about what really matters to you when looking at colleges. Her Campus talked to John Rooney, author of Preparing for College: Practical Advice for Students and Their Families on how to stay productive this summer. Here are nine easy ways to stay productive and still enjoy your summer to the fullest.
1. Think about potential references
Think about whom you want to write your recommendation letters in the fall. Teachers are always a good option. Be sure to work hard and set an example in their class, as well as get to know them a little better. Don’t be afraid to show interest in their subject; it’ll make it easier for them to write a more personalized letter later on. Colleges tend to prefer recommendations from junior and senior year teachers, so if you don’t feel comfortable asking any of your junior year teachers, make sure to head into senior year with the right attitude.
2. Make (or save!) spending money
If you don’t already have a job, start looking now! Even if you only work a few days a week, college is expensive and you’ll be surprised how quickly your hard-earned cash goes to tuition, books, and daily living expenses. Set a goal for how much you want to save this summer ahead of time and keep track of what you spend. We’ve got you covered on ways to make money this summer – here are ten easy ways to save money for college.
3. Make a list of what’s important to you in a college
Write down what you want to get out of school and consider things like a big or small school, suburban or rural, liberal arts or more practical, and check out our article on things to consider when picking a school. “I didn’t actually visit any campuses, but I definitely ended up at the one that was best for me because I spent the whole summer reevaluating my priorities. A lot of the time, even during high school, it’s hard to just sit down and really take a moment to figure out what exactly it is you want, especially if it’s something that’s going to be happening in the future,” said Annie Pei, a student at University of Chicago.
4. Research schools
After you make a list of what’s important to you, there are a variety of great resources at your disposal. Unigo.com and the HC Pre-Collegiette Guide can help you on what other students have to say about their campus. And head to Collegeboard.org to use their School Search Filter. Don’t get too overwhelmed in the beginning, just play around with it until you start to see what you like and what you don’t like. Also, don’t be afraid to talk to family, friends, and anyone else about their alma mater. “See what other people have said and talk to others about their experience,” said Rooney.
5. Compile a Google Doc with facts from each school
Looking at so many schools can get overwhelming, so it’s nice to have a reference sheet to fall back on. Write down the quick facts of each school as soon as you visit, and anything else that you think will be important to remember later on when comparing them all. “It would be incredibly proactive to create a chart that details each school you want to apply to with information such as location, size, admitted GPA, and potential major,” said Kelsey Mulvey, HC Contributing Writer and a student at Boston University. Create your spreadsheet in Google Docs so you and your parents can add to it – that way, you’ll be able to see everyone’s opinions of each school.
6. Create a calendar of important dates
Write down when you’re visiting schools, which applications are due when, and reminders to contact references, teachers, and guidance counselors. We all know how quickly summer passes, so it’s important that you make a calendar ASAP. “Developing good habits is important, so organize your time now,” said Rooney. Keep the calendar in a place where you can check it daily, whether that’s on your phone or on your refrigerator door.
7. Register and study for the ACT or SAT
Depending on which colleges you’re applying to, you’ll probably need to take the ACT, SAT, or both. Go to the ACT and SAT websites to register; you’ll find that there are also tons of helpful practice tests and tips at both sites. If you don’t know how to start studying, pick up this SAT or ACT study guide to help. If the prospect of standardized tests leaves you feeling hopeless, check out this list of schools that don’t require any standardized test scores.
8. Begin collecting application information
You might not have all the information you need yet, but don’t stress. Begin looking over applications and make a list of information you’re going to need, like your parents’ graduation years and your high school’s address. Getting a head start on the small details now will save you a ton of time when you’re crunched for time during the school year. Read over six ways on how to not leave your applications until the last minute, so you don’t fall victim to procrastination!
9. Brainstorm ideas for the college application essay
Your essay can be the scariest part of the application to write – sometimes, it’s the only place where the person reading it can truly get to know who you are. So, read the essay prompt (either the Common App prompts or school-specific ones) and try writing a rough draft. Don’t worry about getting it perfect the first time; use this time as a chance to brainstorm and experiment now so you can have a better idea of what works and what doesn’t. Check out our guide on how to write the perfect college essay.
Sure, summer can be fun, but with just a little bit of effort, it can also be the perfect time to get a jumpstart on college applications. Good luck!