Who wants some free advice?

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I'm up to my eyeballs in paperwork/planning/research now that Louuuuuise has decided what college she will attend. Here's some ideas that everyone should consider.

- Students who will be applying for scholarships will greatly benefit from having performed volunteer work throughout their childhood. My daughter has done some community work, but, on paper, it never looks like enough. Have your children do volunteer work at hospitals, charities, schools, churches, etc... If possible, find an organization that is related to the field of study that your daughter is interested in. Not only is volunteer work character building, but every scholarship application asks for this information.

- You will be asked for letters of recommendation from teachers, employers, coaches, clergy, etc... Make sure you make a favorable impression on enough people who would write a letter for you.

- It's never too early to research scholarships. Don't wait until you've made your choice of which college you'll attend. Many scholarship applications have January and February deadlines for students entering college in the fall.

- Grades. Grades. Grades. A majority of forms stress that the applicant maintain a high school GPA 3.25,3.3, 3.5, etc... If you're not in good position by your senior year, it's impossible to bring your average up substantially in two grading periods. Plus, the college acceptance letters arrive faster and more frequently when you've got got grades.

- If you plan on playing a sport in college. High School stats are nearly worthless. If you don't have character, ambition, and grades to back up your athleticism, you won't have a college to play for.

A few thoughts. I'm sure there are other parents who have been through "the process" who could add more advice.

 

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Great advice Louuu, my freshman daughter just asked me yesterday to drop her off at our local middle school on Thurdays to volunteer. She attends Akron Early College and I guess they talked about what your post suggests. Her older twin sisters had GPA's of over 4.0 and ACT scores of 30 and 31 but lacked public service. Glad she is learning!!!

 

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Oh the old dreaded SERVICE HOURS.... My 3 kids all goto private schools and service hours are a requirment for the high schools, so i guess that is one thing we are covered in...

 

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Students qualifying and applying for the National Honor Society will also need community work on there resume in order to be considerd for selection. More importantly though, giving back to the community is the right thing to do!

 

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If you plan on playing a sport in college. High School stats are nearly worthless. If you don't have character, ambition, and grades to back up your athleticism, you won't have a college to play for.

Louuuuu, this hits a nail many people just miss. I had one college coach tell me years ago that studs are a dime-a-dozen from where she sits. She said she's turned away a lot of studs because they because they lacked the intangibles. Attitude, work ethic, chemistry with the team, personality, were more important than stats.

 

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And just like athletic Scholarships, don't jump at the first academic scholarship. The girls have until 1 May to commit to a college so thoughly evaluate all of your offers.

Most colleges will be sending out their Financial Aid letters the first week in March.

 

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High ACT/SAT scores are much more valuable than high school gpa, which can be subjective depending on the school's curriculum. I recommend every 9th grade athlete get a study guide for both tests and dig in early. Higher ACT/SAT scores are like money in the bank for student-athletes.

Having BOTH is an added bonus, like with semperfi's twins. An athlete with those creds usually has their pick of schools with a free ride.

Service hours are also required for graduation at my kid's HS.

 

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High ACT/SAT scores are much more valuable than high school gpa, which can be subjective depending on the school's curriculum. I recommend every 9th grade athlete get a study guide for both tests and dig in early. Higher ACT/SAT scores are like money in the bank for student-athletes.

Having BOTH is an added bonus, like with semperfi's twins. An athlete with those creds usually has their pick of schools with a free ride.

Service hours are also required for graduation at my kid's HS.

This is very good advice. With all the colleges my DD looked at before making her decision, a score of 27 seemed to be the magic number for maximum academic money. Grades are so important. My DD took her ACT more then once to get what she needed. Sammy is correct, get a study guide and dig in. There is many thousands of dollars difference between 24's and 27's on the ACT. Your going to college for the education, playing softball is a bonus......but it's one heck of a bonus, good luck to all out there trying to achieve your goals. Study Study Study.....it will pay off for you.

 

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We are extremely lucky here in Mount Vernon. Teachers at the High School offer an ACT/SAT class. Part of the class simulates the actual testing conditions and form. I think we paid something like $50 per kid for our daughter and son to take the course. One ended up a National Merit Finalist and the other a Semi-Finalist. As Ted reminded me the other day, upon achieving these test results many colleges wrote to our kids stating that their test scores qualified them for academic aid.

For myself, I am certain from when I took the LSAT's that working with the actual test form improved my test score markedly.

If you can find a good prep course, take advantage of it. Use all the study guides you can get your hands on if you can't find a good prep course. Going into a SAT or ACT test with only looking at the materials you receive from the testing organization is a big mistake.