First, go back and reread my Fall Tips for College Bound Juniors. Have you done everything on that list? If not, get to it!
If you haven't already, sign up for the spring SAT and/or ACT tests now. This year's spring test dates are April 9 and June 11 for the ACT and May 7 and June 4 for the SAT. I recommend that you take both tests because the formats are different and you may test significantly better on one than the other. For many students, the June test dates work best because you won't have to worry about schoolwork or extracurricular commitments; you need a good night's sleep before the test in order to do your best. It is not a good idea to wait until fall of your senior year to take these tests. You want to have your scores available in time for the fall college application season, and if you are disappointed with your test scores, you have a chance to retake the test in the fall of your senior year. Don't delay on signing up for these tests, or you may find yourself taking the test at an inconvenient location.
Once you have signed up for the SAT and ACT, make sure that you schedule time to familiarize yourself with their respective formats by taking at least one practice test. You can find practice tests and tips for how to approach each section on the College Board and ACT websites, or in study guides sold in major bookstores. You don't have to take an entire test at one sitting, as you will do when you take the real test. If you start taking one section a week on a practice test now, you will be familiar with the format of all the sections on both tests before test time rolls around. As you do each section, time yourself as you would be on the real test, and take time to score your test and analyze the reason for any errors.
You have been researching colleges, right? At this point you may have a list of 10-12 colleges that really interest you. Between now and senior year, you should try to narrow that list down somewhat. Application fees for colleges add up quickly, and the applications themselves can be quite time consuming. Although you can find a great deal of information online (here's a link to some of them), there is no substitute for personal research and an in-person college visit. ACT has a College Comparison Worksheet and list of Questions for a Campus Visit that may be helpful. "Best Colleges" lists can be helpful, but should be taken with a grain of salt as they can be manipulated as described in this article.
The most important factor in selecting a college is to choose one that is a good fit for you- a place where you can grow and thrive intellectually and emotionally. That place may or may not be at the most prestigious, best known colleges, the ones your parents attended, or the ones your friends recommend. Yes, majors available and cost of attendance should be important factors in your decision, but go beyond those and think about where you really want to live for the next four (or more) years. Are you the kind of student who thrives or stresses out under pressure? Would you rather be in a large school with many possibilities, or a small one where you feel part of a family? Rural or urban setting? Are you comfortable in large lecture classes, or do you prefer small discussion groups? Take some time to really think about the kind of college setting that you would find most fulfilling. Write down your ideas, and rank them in order of most to least important. Those are the questions you want to ask when you visit a college or talk to an admissions representative. If you're stuck, here's a link to A Pocket Guide to Questions to Ask on the College Visit that may give you some more ideas.
Lots to think about? Yes, but you can do it, and it should be fun. After all, it's your future you're planning, so go ahead and imagine it into reality!
