High School Students

This is the year to make sure you are taking solid classes, making good grades, developing your interests, and preparing yourself for the college application process.

• Coursework and Grades: Continue taking challenging core classes, especially in English, math, science and world language. Strong grades form the foundation for college admission.
• Explore Interests: Join clubs, take on leadership roles, volunteer, or attend summer programs. All are excellent ways to explore your growing passion and show initiative.
• Use School Resources: Meet your school counselor or visit your school’s career center in the fall to map out classes and interests.
• PSAT/NMSQT: Take the PSAT in October to become comfortable with standardized testing. Even though many colleges are test-optional, taking the PSAT (and later SAT or ACT) can help you gauge your strengths.

College research and exploration ramp up junior year. Find out everything you can about all the colleges you’re interested in. Request information, visit colleges, go to college fairs, and talk to the people around you about their college choices.

Fall (September – November)

• Plan and Prepare: meet your counselor and set academic and extracurricular goals. Use tools like College Board and Khan Academy to prepare for SAT/ACT, even if you plan on test-optional applications.
• College Exploration: Start researching colleges, requesting information, and attending virtual or in-person campus tours and information session.

Winter (December – February)

• College Lists: Narrow your list of target schools to 8-12. As you build your list, consider fit, cost, size, academic programs, location and test policies.
• Recommendations: If you’ve really connected with a teacher this year, ask ahead of time for letters of recommendation for the upcoming application cycle.
• Testing: If you plan to take the SAT/ACT, consider planning ahead for multiple testing dates.

Spring (March – May)

• Visits and Interviews: Visit universities during your spring break or on school holidays. Take advantage of scheduling optional interviews, whether on-campus or virtual.
• Summer Plan: Consider summer activities like internships, work, reading programs, or community service.

You have started the process. You know more about yourself. You know more about the schools that interest you.

Summer (June and July)

• Organization: Create a calendar with all deadlines, including application, financial aid and scholarships
• Prepare Application Materials: Begin a draft of your personal statement, which you may submit as part of your application. Request transcripts and letters of recommendation well in advance of deadlines.

Fall (August – November)

• Application Rounds: Decide between applying Early Decision (binding), Early Action or Regular Decision at each of your schools. Early Decision and Early Action often have deadline in or before November.
• Submit FAFSA: The FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) opens October 1. Submitting the FAFSA allows you to receive consideration for federal need-based grants and loans, as well as need-based aid offered by colleges.
• Essay Revision: Finalize essays and supplements, and have mentors proofread them.
• Submit Applications: Meet or beat deadlines. Confirm that teachers and counselors have their recommendations submitted as well.
• Interview and Aid Planning: Attend interviews if requested; begin researching scholarships and

Winter (Dec-Jan)

• Track and Follow Up: Check your application portals for missing items.
• Scholarship: Research and apply for scholarships offered by the colleges on your list as well as external organizations. Be sure to explore targeted opportunities like the HOPE Scholarship at Hollins University, which covers the cost of tuition, on-campus food and housing and more for eligible students.
• Financial Aid Review: Financial aid offers from each college or university will become available at different times. Check your e-mail and portals often to view this information. Share the information with a parent, guardian or trusted adult who is helping develop a financial plan for college.

Spring (February – May)

• A First or Return Campus Visit: As finances allow, a campus visit can help solidify which college or university feels right to you. Virtual campus tours and opportunities to engage with current students on social media can also help you understand the school’s personality and it’s fit for you.
• Compare Offers: For most families, finances play a big role in the college decision process. Evaluate your scholarship and financial aid offers with a parent, guardian or trusted adult. Have questions? Contact the Office of Scholarships and Financial Aid at each school to be sure you understand each component of your offer.
• Decision time: Submit your enrollment deposit to your selected school (hooray!!) by May 1. Notify the remainder of schools on your list of your college choice.

Summer (June – August)

• Onboard: Complete required forms for entry, including housing, health and immunization, academic placement tests, and class registration.
• Stay Engaged: Connect with other incoming students through social media and by attending on-campus or virtual pre-orientation events.
• CELEBRATE

Some schools require a certain number of words, some ask about you, and some ask about your views on specific topics and issues. The admission committee will use your essay to evaluate your personality, interests, intelligence, maturity, creativity, writing ability, how you think, your outlook on life, and even what makes you special.

The Top Four Things Admission Counselors Look for in an Essay

1. Content. Does it stick to the topic and answer the question? Does it have an introduction, body, and conclusion?
2. Creativity. Is it original? Does it convey something about the applicant that isn’t evident from the rest of the application?
3. Style. How well is it written? Do the thoughts and ideas flow?
4. Grammar. Was it proofread? Were there simple mistakes? How is the vocabulary?

Essay Do’s

• Follow directions.
• Organize your thoughts.
• Answer the question(s) and stick to the topic(s).
• Write in a style that’s comfortable for you.
• Use the essay as an opportunity to communicate things that you may not convey in your application.
• Use correct spelling and grammar.
• Write a first draft and revise it as often as needed.
• Remember: it’s okay to ask for guidance, as long as the essay remains your work.

Essay Don’ts

• Don’t write an essay that’s too difficult to understand. Instead, find a proper balance between simplicity and complexity. Use short sentences. Avoid overly stylized language and technical vocabulary. Above all, strive to reflect your authentic voice.
• Don’t try to cram everything about yourself in one essay.
• Don’t wait until the last minute. You need time for rewriting.

The Complete Package

Although the essay is a very important part of the application, the complete application process may require you to submit any or all of the following:

1. Application for admission
2. Essay
3. Official or unofficial transcripts
4. Secondary School Report and/or letter(s) of recommendation
5. Interview (optional or required)
6. SAT and/or ACT scores (optional), though a growing number are test optional

Tips for Completing Your Application

• Check college websites or call the office of admission to see how to submit your application.
• Read all of the instructions.
• Set a personal deadline for finishing your application and make sure you have enough time to complete it. Keep in mind when your guidance counselor needs to have it.
• Do not leave blanks or skip answers..
• If you miss a deadline, call the admission office to see if you can still apply.

The college interview doesn’t have to be scary. It’s just another way you can improve your chances of getting into the school of your dreams. An interview can strengthen your application and you will be interviewing the school as much as they are interviewing you. Relax and try to learn as much as you can.

Tips for a Successful Interview

• Relax and be yourself.
• Bring paper and pencil or pen.
• Write your questions down beforehand.
• Provide standardized test scores, high school transcript, GPA, and class rank.
• When asked about your extracurricular activities, elaborate on your favorites.
• It’s permissible to ask about your chances of acceptance, but don’t press for an immediate decision.
• Think before you speak.
• Don’t be late.
• Be neat and presentable.
• Be prepared to ask questions about the institution.
• Think of the interview as a conversation.
• Don’t be afraid to express yourself.

Several Types of Interviews

• Individual: may later be joined by parents
• Group: you and other students
• Regional: an admission staff member interviews you while traveling in your city
• Alumnae/i or Parents: volunteers are trained to interview prospective students in their hometown

Scheduling the Interview

Try to call or email two weeks to a month in advance to make an appointment with the admission office. This gives the admission staff time to customize your campus visit.

Be Ready for These Questions

• What are your favorite and least favorite classes?
• What type of contribution have you made to your high school or community?
• What are you looking for in a college?
• What do you like about this college?
• What career possibilities are you considering and why?
• Describe your strengths and those areas you would like to improve.
• What do you expect to be doing 10 years from now?
• What is your perfect adventure?
• What would you like to change about your school? About yourself?
• What would you like to achieve in college?
• Describe your most challenging class.
• How would your favorite teacher describe you as a student?
• If your friends had to describe you in three words, what would they say, and why?
• What do you think you will study in college?
• Is there anything that you would like to share with the admission committee about why you think they should admit you?

The Campus Visit

You should try to visit all of the schools that interest you. This is the best way to figure out if a college is right for you.

During the campus visit be sure to:

• Take a tour.
• Have an interview.
• Ask questions.
• Talk with the financial aid office if you are concerned about costs.
• Talk with students on campus.
• Speak with a professor if you have questions about academics or a particular field of study.
• Meet with a coach if you have an interest in a specific sport.

Not Able to Visit?

If you won’t be able to visit a school, there are still ways you can get a feel for the college and find out what the students are like. Visit the website, participate in virtual program offerings, visit a variety of the college’s social media accounts, and check YouTube for videos the college has uploaded. Tell the admission office that you won’t be able to visit and ask if there is a graduate in the area who can interview you or if an admission counselor will be coming to your area.