PARENTS: Help Your Student Prepare – Grade 11
This year the college search process begins in earnest. The combined exploration of the past two years along with your student's testing should help with developing a list of target schools by spring. Poor grades will not be as easily forgiven as they were in previous years, and colleges will look for commitment and accomplishment outside of the classroom.
Just as you've been doing all along, help your student stay on top of things, and continue to provide support and encouragement along with constructive criticism, if needed.
September
Kick it up a notch
If college-bound, make sure your student registers in the Guidance office to take the PSAT in mid-October. The PSAT is the qualifying test for the National Merit Scholarship program. The other option for juniors on FVL’s Testing Day is the ASVAB, an aptitude test with helpful career data.
Go to the fair
Check into college fairsand college representative visits to FVL. Encourage your student to attend and to start becoming very familiar with the college resources available at school.
An important note
If you haven't done so yet, get a Social Security number for your student.
October/November
Keep driving the bus
If your student is taking the PSAT, make sure the date is in big bold letters on the family calendar. Gently remind your student to read the Student Bulletin and to try some practice questions.
Get out of town
Schedule a day trip to visit nearby colleges. Don't worry if these are places where your student won't apply. The goal is to explore different types of schools. Aim for variety. Discuss which characteristics of schools are attractive and which ones aren't. FVL’s Guidance office provides a campus visitguideline sheet.
December
Get ready to buckle down
If you havequestions about PSAT scores, contact your student's Guidance counselor. Register online now for the ACT test prep classes in the area and for the ACT exam in February, April or June to get your preferred test site. Consider test prep opportunities. Most FVL juniors take the exam in April or June, depending upon one’s personal schedule. If planning to attend a technical school, do NOT take the ACT. Instead, save your money by taking the ACCUPLACER which technical schools require. Register for it through the technical school of your choice.
Look to the future
Start informal brainstorming with your student about possible target colleges, with test results in mind. If you or any of your acquaintances have a college student at home for the winter break, ask him/her questions, and encourage your student to do so as well.
Pick the right classes.
Make sure your student is enrolled in the appropriate college-prep or tech-prep classes and that the schedules meets core requirements, such as English, math, science, history, and a foreign language. Develop good study habits.
2-4 yrs. foreign language / 1+ visual /performing arts / advanced and honors courses, electives
Selected courses should explore interests AND meet college admissions requirements
Start thinking dollars and cents
Take an introductory look at financial aid forms just to see what you'll be doing this time next year.
January
Keep up communication
How's school going this year? Since classes are probably tougher than ever, continue to evaluate your student's academic progress. Does everything seem to be going alright? What does your student need if he or she is struggling?
Dream about summer
Start making initial summer plans for working, studying, volunteering, etc. Try to make sure your student is involved in something that looks good on a college application.
February
Check the schedule
If you haven’t yet, look ahead to ACT registration deadlines. Register also for the ACT test prep workshop that FVL typically offers in March. Remember, students attending a technical college do not need to take the ACT. Instead, register for the ACCUPLACER through the technical school of your choice.
March
Plan, prepare, and plan some more
Consider and plan spring vacation college visits. Hopefully, your student's spring break WON'T coincide with college breaks,so you can see some students and really get an insider’s look at college life when you visit.
Get organized
Have your son or daughter start a "College Binder" by making an early list of target colleges in a notebook. Visits to college web sites should increase, and he or she should begin calling, writing, or e-mailing target colleges to request publications. Many of these materials are already in the GuidanceCareerCenter. Set aside an area where all the marketing materials can be organized and be easily referenced.
Remember those tests?
If you didn't do it last month, check upcoming ACT registration deadlines for tests your student still needs to take. Make note of the test and registration dates on your calendar. If AP tests are coming up, make sure your student discusses plans to take exams with teachers and/or the Guidance counselor, as needed.
Make plans
Discuss the selection of senior-year classes. Urge your student to include at least one math course or lab science, as well as the most challenging courses possible. Both of you should recognize that colleges weigh senior classes and grades as heavily as the junior record.
April
Double-check
Does your student still need to register for the ACT? If it hasn't already been done, have your student update his or her activities record.
May
Prepping for tests
Does your student still need to get the ACT out of the way? (And yes, we will remind you every month until it's done!) Make sure no deadlines or test dates are being overlooked.
International students need to take the TOEFLexam if planning to attend a U.S. university. Check test dates, and get registered for a test early next fall.
Explore some options
Determine the need for and affordability of special services such as standardized test prep courses, independent college counselors, and private group tour programs.
June
Double-check . . . again
Make sure your student is registered for anything that still needs to be done. As always, if your student has a test coming up, mark the test and registration dates on the family calendar. If retaking senior year, know that the registration deadline for the September ACT exam is typically in early August.
Think scholarships
Take advantage of the summer slow-down by visiting scholarship search and financial aidweb sites with your student, by checking out comparable library resources, and by browsing the FVL Guidance web collection.
Summer
Don't slow down
By now, your student should be accustomed to setting summers aside for employment or some other constructive activities. These are the types of activities that sit well with admissions officials. This is also a good time to take some summer visits and plan fall college visits. Read one or more books.
Work on your student's list
He or she should continue requesting college publications.They should also begin planning, if not executing, any supplemental submissions that will be needed, such as audition tapes or art slides or portfolios. Review and update thelist of target schools that you and your student have been developing, adding the pros and cons of each school.