Start the New Year with an open mind as you consider all of your options
Happy New Year! As the holiday season comes and goes, it is time to refocus our energy and passion on new beginnings. We can hit the reset button in our lives as we reflect on the prior year. As the new year begins, most seniors have completed the college application and financial aid process. Underclassmen need to start with standardized test prep, continue to improve their grades in the classroom and create a balanced college list to map out visits.
Members of the Class of 2020 are starting to receive admission decisions and will do so throughout the upcoming weeks and months. They will also be comparing merit scholarships and financial aid packages at each school. It is essential to analyze the best return on your investment before making a final college choice.
Start the New Year with an open mind as you consider all of your options including these four:
• It’s time to follow through on your midterm grades! Your college applications may be in, but the high school journey is not over yet. Colleges will look at your final semester grades, so keep your grades consistent with your previous marking periods.
• Deferred at a particular college/university? While applying to a college or university in the early round is a great way to demonstrate your interest and your intent to enroll upon admission. If you got deferred, do not get alarmed. It is likely sometimes colleges want more information to make a final decision.
• If you are applying to schools with a January deadline, continue working on your applications and get them completed ahead of time.
• If you are applying for private scholarships, be sure to create an account at www.risla.com and continue to search throughout the spring.
To members of the Class of 2021, ring in the New Year with a college checklist. These four are things you must consider:
• Take some time to review your list activities/ resume, consider joining some new clubs/organizations, and participating in an internship.
• If you are taking the February ACT, continue to practice on ACT Academy. The more you practice, the more prepared you will be.
• Link your Khan Academy to your College Board account if you are considering taking the SATs in March or May. Take a practice test and analyze your PSAT results.
• Set up a time to meet with your school counselor to discuss your course schedule, summer plans, and your balanced college list. It’s important to have reach, target and safety schools on your list so you visit a variety of colleges. Now that it is 2020, it is time to think about your college plans so you spend the winter, spring and summer researching more schools and adjusting your list, if necessary. How do you know how to have a balanced list? Look at your academic record, PSAT results and major you are considering.
Eric Simonelli is an Academic College Counselor for S&A College Consulting in Portsmouth - scholarathleteconsulting.com - and Director of College Counseling at La Salle Academy. Follow him on Twitter @Eric_Simonelli. His College Planning Guide column appears in the Newport Daily News and on newportri.com the first Saturday of the month.
