5 Tips for the College Application Superstar

Hey everyone! Now that summer is over and the school year is upon us, I will be starting a new segment all about the college application process. I am starting my senior year of high school here in the United States, and my blog will keep you updated on everything you need to know about the college application process as I go through it! Here is an overview of some of the things I will be talking about that you can do in high school to get ready for the application process.

1. Enroll in challenging classes and take them seriously

We all know that hard classes can be, well, difficult. However, colleges also know this and will reward you for challenging yourself. The level of coursework and your GPA (Grade Point Average) is important. Honors and AP (advance placement) classes, generally, add extra points to your GPA, so you may get an extra boost. Beginning in freshman or sophomore year, take the most challenging classes you can and do your best. Seek outside tutoring (often available free from older students) on difficult subjects. 

2. Get involved outside the classroom

Show that you have passions outside of school. Whether it's sports, music, drama, debate, community service, or other school clubs, select  2-3 extracurriculars that interest you. Don't join every club you come in contact with. Instead, focus on a few that demonstrate your interest and work towards leadership positions. Show the admissions team that you have leadership qualities.

3. Prepare for the SAT or the ACT early

Your score on these tests matter, so take the time to prepare early in your junior year. You can take these tests as many times as you want, so start early incase you may want to retake them. You can study review books or attend review sessions to help improve your score. Give yourself time to take the tests more than once to improve your score before senior year. 

4. Research colleges and universities

There are almost 3000 colleges and universities in the US, so you can find a school that is a perfect fit for you. Take time to research the details of different schools online. Schools vary by size, location, specialties, student body, and cost. Many offer generous financial aid and scholarships. If you are able, try to drive or fly to visit schools that interest you. Get a feel for the campus and meet current faculty and students.

5. Choose summer experiences that highlight your interest

Use your summer breaks during high school wisely. Look for summer jobs, programs, classes, or camps that demonstrate your interest and give you experience in your areas of interest. Internships are another fun and responsible way to show colleges your interests and responsibility

How are you getting ready to apply to college? Let me know in the comments below!

xoxo

SAT Time!

Hey Everyone! This Saturday, I took the SAT! The SAT, Scholastic Aptitude Test, is a test each high school student is required to take to apply to colleges. It tests you on subjects like sentence completion, reading, writing, and math. Plus, there is a 25 minute essay required to be written. Overall, it's a five hour test! Talk about a buzz kill to your Saturday! It takes a lot of preparation before hand, as many people purchase review books or take classes to obtain all the information needed. It's almost impossible to get a perfect score, 2400, because it's graded on a bell curve, yet everyone tries their hardest to receive the best score they can. Luckily, you can take the test as many times as you want, and some schools super score your test, taking the best scores from each section from different tests to create one overall super score.

If you read my ACT post, you will know how the SAT and ACT are very similar. Both are required with applying to United States Colleges, but schools only require one or the other. So you can focus on what test you are better at! The SAT tests you more on vocabulary and critical thinking skills, while the ACT tests you on what you already know, and has a science section that the SAT does not. Even though there are some differences, both are equally challenging and count the same in the college's eyes.

Here is the website for the SAT:

http://sat.collegeboard.org/home

If you are planning on attending college in the United States, knowing more about the SAT is a great first step towards this goal.

So, do you think you would be better on the ACT or SAT? Let me know in the comments!


xoxo

ACT- ready, set, test!

Studying hard

Hey everyone! This Saturday I took the ACT, or American College Testing. This test is very similar to the SAT, or Scholastic Assessment Test. Both are tests that are required to be taken when applying to a United States college.  Different colleges have different requirements on how high the test score has to be to be admitted to their college. These tests measure overall knowledge, along with problem solving and critical thinking skills. You can take just the SAT, just the ACT, or both. The SAT is scored out of 2400 while the ACT is out of 36. Both have around the same number and types of questions. They both have an English section, where you read passages and answer questions about it, a mathematics section, with questions that require the use of algebra, geometry, and trigonometry, another English section, that tests your knowledge on grammar and sentence rules, and an essay. Some noticeable differences between the two are the SAT tests you more on vocabulary and critical thinking skills, while the ACT tests you on what you already know, and has a science section that the SAT does not. They both are equally important and equally challenging! I have spent this summer taking classes for the ACT and SAT, and I take the SAT in October! I am very nervous to get my score back for the ACT! However, you can take the test as many times as you want until you get a score you're happy with.

Here is the website for the ACT:
http://www.actstudent.org/
Many students from outside the United States do not know about the ACT, but it is a great testing option if you want to go to college in the United States!

So, do you think you would be better on the ACT or SAT? Let me know in the comments!

xoxo