Use the Apply Texas application for Texas A&M (here's why)

August 1 rolled into town, and application season is officially underway. While most schools have standard Early Action, Early Decision, or Rolling Decision, others have more urgency built into the equation. Texas A&M is a prime example, and it's because they operate on a "first qualified, first served" basis, or so it appears, despite the December 1 deadline for Regular Admission. If a rising senior has A&M among their top choices, then they need to prioritize submitting this application first — even if it's not their primary interest — based on A&M's reading/timing. Submit to A&M by mid-late August at the latest!

Texas A&M joined the Common App last year, and it's been a terrific addition. Many A&M applicants also apply to other Common App schools, so it's convenient to go to one-stop for most, if not all, of a student's applications. HOWEVER, there is one hiccup for applicants choosing Common App for their A&M application:

You must submit the scholarship application along with the main application. They cannot be submitted separately for Texas A&M on the Common App. 

This is not an issue for those using Apply Texas. A&M applicants are able to submit their main application separately, and in doing so, it allows the applicant more time to write the five scholarship essay statements, one of which is up to 550 words (see below). Remember, the urgency for A&M is the main application; the scholarship application does not have the same distinction. 

FYI, A&M's scholarship essays are listed below:

1. Describe an example of your leadership. Be sure to describe your actions and the actions of those around you and to explain what you accomplished. (550 words or less)

2. What are some of your life’s goals and objectives? (50 words or less)

3. Briefly describe any educational plans you have beyond earning your bachelor’s degree. (50 words or less)

4. Why have you chosen your academic major(s)? (50 words or less)

5. Why have you chosen to apply to Texas A&M University? (50 words or less)

I work with dozens of prospective Aggies every year from several local area schools, so I know the process for A&M backward and forward. One of my clients recently dubbed me as the “Aggie Whisperer,” which I think is hilarious! Otherwise, my application suggestion is one of the nuances that might help streamline the process in an oddly stressful navigation timeframe. It's worthwhile for applicants to spend 15-30 minutes setting up a profile on Apply Texas if it buys more time for scholarship essay preparation and to ease the immediate and stressful burden. 

Contact me if you'd like some help. Next up, I'll have more updates about the SRAR!

Rising Juniors -- Upcoming Activity

Wow…..Guess who had a whirlwind of a Fall 2021? THIS GUY!

The application season for current seniors saw many updates, changes, and challenges. It’s getting harder and harder, or so it seems, for families and their prospective applicants to track down all that they need to do for proper application submission. More and more institutions have begun to require not only a main essay, but additional personal statements and self-reported grades as well. That’s where a subject-matter expert (such as I) can help navigate the often tricky and evolving nature of college admissions.

That said, the bulk of work for seniors is done; most major application deadlines have passed, and while decisions and scholarships still loom, the hardest part –the application— is largely done. It’s now time for JUNIORS to “turn on the switch” for college planning, and there are several key things to begin doing (if not already begun).

First, while much has been made about test-optional or otherwise, it’s important for a Junior to begin taking the SAT and ACT this Spring semester (some might be ahead of the timeline). Most colleges will accept scores until November-December timeframe of an applicant’s senior year, so by having scores earlier in the process, it can be determined whether ACT or SAT is better, which one to re-take, potential test-prep, and if test-optional is the right approach.

Second, Junior year is the last year that colleges will see on an applicant’s transcript, so it’s imperative that each student maximizes every single grade opportunity possible. NOW is where GPA, class rank, and grade trends are determined, so this is the money semester of the money year, so to speak. Make it count.

Third, while colleges will not have senior-year grades, they WILL see what a student has in-progress form a course load perspective.  For students that have specific majors in-mind (Ex: Engineering, etc.), it’ll be important for the applicant to take senior year seriously and to have courses that align with their academic major interest.

With so much going on, now would be a good time to schedule an underclassman consultation with me to help you and your Junior prepare for the coming onslaught, especially since Juniors will begin requesting senior classes soon. Contact me soon for help!

Apply Texas Application Update -- Fall 2022 Applicants

Seniors and Senior parents,

If you’re applying to any Texas public college/university, then your primary option for submission is the Apply Texas application. It is open for Fall 2022 applicants as of today, August 1. However, those of you who are in-fact applying for Fall 2022 must use the new and updated Apply Texas application. Please be advised that the new venue is goapplytexas.org and not the classic one.

Again, all Texas public colleges/universities are required (by law) to accept the Apply Texas application. However, if you’re applying as a Fall 2022 freshman applicant, then you must use the updated Apply Texas application FOUND HERE. Please be advised. Thank you!

Where Are You Getting Your College Advising?

When I was in high school, I’d visit the football weight room facility each weekday morning to get in a workout in preparation for the upcoming season. I’ll never forget the summer before my senior season in particular. I distinctly remember one of the coaches announcing on July 1 that “today is July the ONTH, and you have exactly one MONTH before two-a-day practices!” Yes, practices were set to begin August 1 that year, and I was excited. For the record, that’s the same coach who’d scream for you to keep your mouthpiece in or else suffer from getting “Summer Teeth” -- as in some are over here, and some are over there! I’ll have more on that later….

Times have changed significantly since the summer of 1994 when my coach made that comment, and August 1 has taken on a whole different priority for most high school seniors: August 1 marks the opening for application season for the majority of colleges across America. Yes, some schools have already begun to accept applications for Fall 2022 applicants, but those are fewer and further between. Texas public colleges/universities utilize August 1 as the opening for the Apply Texas application, and most schools that accept the Common Application open their application season on this day as well. Here are a few tips to consider now that application season is upon you:

-- Applications open August 1, but that does not necessarily mean that you’ll urgently need to apply at that time! For most schools, there is a reading/review process that takes place for decisions, whether they be rolling, Early Action, or Early Decision.

-- For schools that have a November 1 Early Action or Early Decision deadline, the need for submitting the application as soon as August 1 is non-existent. It’s probable that the EA/ED school won’t read applications until later in the Fall after an extensive travel season is over. As per an early process, the schools typically designate a mid-December to mid-January timeline for initial decisions and/or scholarship notifications. 

-- A major outlying exception to the ‘urgency’ of which I speak is TEXAS A&M. Their reps will tell you until they’re blue in the face that all students are considered equally as long as applications are submitted by the December 1 deadline (they do give preference to prospective Engineering applicants who apply by October 15). Anecdotally speaking, it’s far better for their process to apply earlier in the game than later as spots in more select majors (Business, Engineering, Computer Science) fill up quickly. Their reps simply don’t want to create mass panic by emphasizing urgency. If Texas A&M is on a student’s application destination list, then my advice is to prioritize the A&M application, even if the school is not the student’s first choice. Again, this is based upon the way that they read applications and how spots fill up somewhat quickly there. A&M has a high yield rate, which means that a high percentage of applicants who are admitted have A&M as their first choice destination and will matriculate. Applying sooner rather than later for A&M is unquestionably the best way to go.

-- Know the difference between Early Action and Early Decision. This is more of a private school phenomenon, but some public schools have these as well. See my prior blog post to help you understand the differences and details. 

-- Reporting the SAT/ACT vs. Test-optional review. The test-optional review is ideally suited for high-achieving students that have terrific grades and a solid holistic profile, just that they don’t test well, for whatever reason (socioeconomics, learning disabilities, anxieties, etc). If not SAT or ACT is reported, then they’ll scrutinize grades that much more heavily in their process, so a student ought to have their ducks in a row, academically speaking. Further, many schools still utilize test scores for merit scholarship consideration, despite test-optional reviews. 

There are many other details to cover with consideration towards applications. It’s imperative that students and parents do their homework to ensure that they’re properly informed. My question to each of you is this: Who is helping advise you through the process? As well, do these advisors know what it’s like to navigate the very tricky admissions process? Have they worked in a college admissions office, recruited prospective students, read files, and been part of decision committees? Do they have relationships with admissions counselors from across the country that can help facilitate the advocacy process for their students? These are all important questions, and as counselors at local high schools are overwhelmed, overworked, and short-staffed, it’s good to know that there are subject matter experts (like me) who can guide students through the process. Parents, if your student(s) have a hard time listening to you, then let me help you! They’ll listen to me; I’m the subject matter expert that’s been there, and done that when it comes to college admissions. 

I have a larger caseload of students this year, so things are good on my end! If you need help, then I encourage you to reach out to me soon; my calendar is filling up pretty quickly, but I’m flexible with programs, consultations, and timelines. I’m here to help!

PS -- The above-mentioned coach also had other funny quips. He’s the same guy who’d show up to practice with a fresh haircut. We’d ask him, “Hey Coach, did you get a haircut?” Without fail, he’d always respond with “no, I got ‘em ALL cut!”

A Message to the Graduating Class of 2021

Graduates and parents,

CONGRATULATIONS are largely due for you and your classmates! I’m very proud to have worked with many of you, and I’m even more proud and excited to see your destinations; the next few years will be an exceptionally wonderful time in your lives, and I envy you! Below are some of my thoughts as your class finalizes your K-12 experience:

Be willing to adjust to change. If the COVID-19 pandemic has taught you anything, it’s that life will sometimes sweep the rug right out from under you. How you adapt to change and adverse situations will help determine your future success. Your class has endured a complete shutdown towards the end of a critical year (Junior year), and began your Senior year with a very weird and precarious school situation. Amidst virtual learning, in-person classes, hybrid situations, facemasks, distancing, etc., your class has learned to embrace the unexpected and odd. Use that to help you with the many curveballs that life will throw at you in the future…. 

Be resilient. This ties-in quite well with the adjustability message. There will be times when you experience personal adversity, unexpected outcomes, and other hardships that challenge your outlook. It’s easy to slip into a funk when situations like these happen, and it’s completely normal and understandable. The difference between those who come out on-top and those who don’t lies within one’s ability to get back up and “dust yourself off” after falling. It sounds trite or even cliche, but it’s a universal truth.  

Learn from failure. There will be times when you don’t succeed at something. When this happens, use an objective approach to learn from mistakes and assess what went wrong. Engineers are especially good at this; they learn from having failed with various designs or experiments, and the lessons they take away produce results that are well-designed, well-thought-out, and proven. Additionally, if you make a mistake, OWN UP TO IT immediately and take quick corrective action as best as possible. This approach is not only honest, but it’s also the most respected by others. Resist temptation to blame others or to make excuses. Learn from your mistakes, take responsibility for your actions (or lack thereof), and drive on!

For those of you who will not be attending a 4-yr institution after graduation: You have so many viable options in front of you, and you’ll perhaps do it at a more affordable price. 

-- Some of you will enlist in the armed forces, and I commend you greatly! Take advantage of the career programs and funding opportunities to help pay for job training or college once you’re done with your service. You will have earned it, and thank you for serving!

-- Others of you will learn a skill or trade. This is a smart way to be immediately employable.  Think about it; HVAC technicians will be permanently employable as long as summers are hot in Texas. Welding is also a terrific trade, and many welders make six-figure incomes. There’s a lot to be said for getting one’s hands dirty, and despite much hoopla made over college educations, there will always be a place for those who put in an honest day’s work, and career prospects are viable and potentially lucrative with trades. You’re recession-proof!

-- The rest of you will most likely begin your post-high school experience at a community college, and the reasons for attending such institutions are variable. Whether done for financial, academic, or personal/family reasons, the community college process is exceptionally flexible for students who are willing to have a non-traditional college experience. Employers don’t care where you start college; they care about the name that’s on your diploma and the accompanying degree. It’s understandable for students to desire the traditional college freshman experience at a 4-yr institution, so the community college route isn’t for everyone. That said, the community college route is certainly viable, and while many 4-yr institutions are highly selective and rigorous for freshman applicants, you’d be surprised to see how many high quality institutions are very TRANSFER FRIENDLY. I know this factually; a significant portion of my experience at SMU was to recruit prospective students from local DFW-area community colleges. SMU offered broad opportunities for transfer students with solid to high grades, and they even offer a very large scholarship program for transfers. I’m proud to say that I am very skilled and experienced when it comes to working with transfer students who seek to obtain admission to a 4-yr institution (that also includes transferring from other 4-yr institutions). My skill set in this regard is similar to being bilingual: I SPEAK “TRANSFER.”

No matter your destination, I genuinely wish you nothing but the best in your future endeavors. You have so many great things ahead of you, and I encourage you to maximize the most from your experience. If you’ll be attending a community college, feel free to contact me to set up a consultation with a subject-matter expert that has a trained eye for helping applicants obtain the right course of action. Otherwise, please feel free to contact me should anyone need anything, and I hope that you have a restful and fun senior summer. Bless all of you!

Juniors (Now Rising Seniors!)

Juniors (now RISING SENIORS!) and parents, 

It’s time….with graduations and end-of-year programs, the next crop of new seniors (and therefore, new college applicants) will emerge. Take advantage of the summertime to do the following:

Plan for SAT and/or ACT -- while many colleges and universities have adopted a test-optional admissions process, they’ll still accept standardized scores if they’re submitted along with the application. It might be late to register for the June SAT and ACT, but there’s an ACT in mid-July, and the next SAT will be in August. Seniors will generally have until the November and possibly even December scores to submit for admission consideration; some schools will even accept scores further into the year, but utilize late Fall as the benchmark across the board.

Nail down a prospective essay topic. The good news is that there is a lot of overlap in prospective essay questions. The not so good news is that some schools will require additional personal statements, and those are all different. For now, if you’re applying to a Texas public school, here’s the list of topics.  A&M and UT require Essay Topic A, while the others don’t specify; in that case, default to Topic A.  That topic is surprisingly close to Topics 2, 5, and 7 from the Common Application essay requirement. In other words, it’s likely that students will only need to write ONE main essay; the individual personal statements will be what differentiates between the schools. 

Open up Apply Texas and Common Application profiles. All Texas public schools are required by law to accept Apply Texas, so it’s a one-stop-shop if you’re applying to multiple schools across the state. Use time over the summer to create your biographical profile. As well, many schools, both public and private, accept the Common Application.  As well, some other schools have their own proprietary application and are not on Apply Texas or Common App. Some examples of proprietary applications are those from Arkansas, Oklahoma State, and Baylor.  Keep August 1 in-mind; that’s when most schools will begin accepting applications.

Plan to make some college visits over the summer. Many colleges operate on a “demonstrated interest” principle, and they’ll consider if/when you made an official visit to their campus or invited programs. It’s pretty simple to schedule an official visit; simply type in a school’s name in a Google search followed by the word “visit,” and most links that immediately appear will direct you to the school’s official process. They’ll also let you know if there are various limits or pandemic-related protocols and such. 

Again, your time is now. We used to have a saying in the admission office when I worked at SMU: “The college admission process is an activity that you didn’t know you signed up for.” That saying has never been more true. Utilize the next few months to get ahead.  Many of you will take vacations, go to camps, work part-time, etc., but you’ll be surprised what you might still accomplish with a time-managed approach. For that matter, I will be available for consultations and various services throughout the summer and fall. My summer is starting to fill up, so find me soon if you’re interested in any of my services. My rates change over on June 1; at that point, Juniors will now be considered Seniors, and rates will apply accordingly. Contact me if you’re interested in setting something up or to learn how my experience and expertise can help you navigate the process. For parents, know that your student might struggle with motivation and might not respond well to “mom and dad” making suggestions. As the subject-matter expert, THEY LISTEN TO ME! Let me help you help them!

I look forward to working with you, and find me for help. I’ll have various updates in the reasonably near future with more references, college placements, and other necessary information. Have a great summer, and go eat some graduation party cake!

Seniors -- Spring Decisions and Timing (including Appeals)

Seniors and senior parents, 

By now, most seniors have received a bevy of admission decisions from their designated schools. If anything else, they should hear back by April 1 or so in most instances. March is ordinarily a very busy time for college recruiting offices, as they have largely sent out the bulk of their decisions and have many on-campus programs planned for admitted students. This, however, is no ordinary time, as you’re well aware. The pandemic’s continuation has changed some of the rules, so below are some things to keep in mind in the coming weeks.

If you were ADMITTED to several places, then you’ll want to narrow your choices down and have a final decision submitted by May 1 in most instances (extensions vary based upon individual colleges). Consider all financial stipulations for each school along with personal preferences.  Were you offered your preferred major? Did you receive any need-based financial aid or merit-based scholarships, and if so, how much? Do you feel that you “fit” at your first-choice school?  As well, if you were NOT offered your first choice major, then were you offered an alternative that you’d consider most strongly?

If you were offered a WAITLIST spot for your first choice school, then what are the parameters/timeline expectations? A waitlist offer is not the end of the world; many admission offices experience a phenomenon known in the admission world as “MELT,” or the process by which students who have deposited to a school decide to attend elsewhere, thus impacting admission numbers. Melt produces a “trickle-down” effect. More selective institutions (such as your Ivy League caliber schools) often make offers to students on their waitlists to fill needs and other circumstances to make their freshman classes, and as students accept those offers, the school with a new spot available might submit an offer to someone from the waitlist, and so-on and so-on. The logic behind waitlist offers is not necessarily cut-and-dry, though.  In some years, a college might have such good numbers that they won’t even touch their waitlist. Other times, they’ll select from it based on numbers needed for particular segments (such as they need more “engineering majors” or “psychology majors,” etc.). 

Alternative admission offers are also common at this time of year. For example applicants for UT-Austin or Texas A&M might have been offered “CAP” or “PSA,” respectively. These are offers to attend a designated institution within the university system for one year, and upon earning certain criteria, they’ll be offered admission to the flagship. The issue here is that there are no guarantees for preferred major in most CAP or PSA offers.  For other applicants, the non-traditional experience is a turn-off. 

In these unprecedented times, it’s important to explore what’s available. Many colleges are presumably more flexible with their decisions due to the pandemic, and admission offices are leary to make their classes full. IF YOU DID NOT RECEIVE A PREFERRED ADMISSION DECISION, THEN AN APPEALS PROCESS MIGHT EXIST. Admission appeals are not likely to overturn the original decision, and I want to be very clear in stating that fact. HOWEVER, there may be some legitimate reasons that might make this year somewhat more flexible, so it might be worth asking a college about the appeals process and how an applicant can go about being re-reviewed. In most instances, something drastic must have occurred for a decision to be reversed.  For example, did your high school make an error in sending materials? Was there an error on the transcript? Was there a mix-up on communication from the college part? As well, was there an unusual circumstance that was not made clear on the application that was not considered? Again, I want to be very clear in stating that admission appeals are not likely to be reversed, but for some applicants, it’s worth a shot, especially if their first-choice school is their passion. 

As for the waitlist, do not necessarily expect to be offered a spot.  Colleges often will go into the summertime to make waitlist offers, and they know that many from the newly offered list will no longer consider the school.  I advise to ensure that you have a definitive plan with or without a waitlist offer.  If School A does not come through with a waitlist offer or appeal reversal, then make sure that you have a spot at School B. 

Contact me should you consider appealing your offer or if you have any other questions about upcoming deadlines and such. Parents often have questions about scholarship offers and extra money, and I can also help in this area. Otherwise, I hope all is well, and that your senior year is taking form as best as possible in the world in which we live. Take care!

Randy Trevino

Sophomores and the Growing Student Profile

Students and parents,

Lost in the shuffle between senior activities, prom, college applications, planning, SAT/ACT, etc., are the sophomores at every high school. These are the students who are not merely adjusting to high school, but they’re also not upperclassmen…..yet. Fast approaching is the all-important Junior year, or what I refer to as “The Perfect Storm” year.

Next year will be a critical year for your current sophomore. It’s the first year that more rigorous courses will be available to students (AP, in particular), and it’s the last year that colleges will see on a transcript when students submit applications in the Fall of their Senior year. For these reasons, it’s important for your current sophomore to schedule courses that will heighten their Junior year, especially as students begin to identify prospective majors and/or career interests. Junior year is also the last year for students to establish positive grade trends and set a precedent for rising to the occasion.

By this time, sophomores have been in high school for 3 full semesters and are currently in the midst of their fourth. They have likely been involved in various activities and will perhaps rise to leadership roles in the near future. Now would be a good time to assess passion, involvements, and other meaningful opportunities to add to a prospective academic profile. For that matter, it would also be a good time to begin making a few career assessments.

I cannot stress enough how important the Junior year is for college planning. Contact me if you’d like to schedule an underclassman consultation for your sophomore so as to plan accordingly for next year. We’ll get it right!

Junior Year -- The Importance of the Second Semester

Students and parents,

I hope all is well with your holiday season. As we wind down the calendar year of 2020, let us reflect on all that we have endured and questioned. With so much going on in life, it’s just another burden to think about upcoming college decisions and plans, but they’ll be here before you know it! If you are a Junior (or a parent of one), then here are some things to know going into the Spring semester 2021:

1. As stated in prior communications, the Junior year is the “Perfect Storm” year, as it’s the first year that more rigorous classes become largely available, and it’s the last year that colleges will see on a transcript when applications are submitted next year (senior year). Make it count.

   1. Maximize EVERY grade opportunity from this point forward. If you have any loose ends, need to re-master learning by re-testing (if optional), need to be better about procrastinating, or restoring academic relationships with teachers (in-general), then NOW is the time to do it. I like to call it “driving 90mph until the end of the semester,” figuratively speaking, of course.

   2. If you’re on rocky ground with your teachers, then this is the time to start mending those fences. Set good habits, and being diligent and timely with your coursework only helps your cause here. Show your teachers that you’re taking them seriously, and they’ll be far more likely to return the favor/sentiment. FYI, many of these junior teachers would be good recommendation letter candidates….

2. ACT and/or SAT — If you have not taken one or both of these as of yet, then don’t fret; you’re still right on time. I typically recommend that most students begin taking the standardized tests in the Spring semester and continue re-testing into the summer and fall of senior year.

   1. Most colleges have no preference between the ACT or SAT, so I recommend that students try BOTH at least one and utilize a comparison chart once all scores are received to see which one the student excels. If one is higher than the other, then focus on re-taking the higher of the two from that point forward.

   2. Don’t go spending a huge amount of money on test preparation until you know how you’ll score. Many test prep agencies and tutors and tailor programming around a student’s strengths and weaknesses. Since it’s very likely that you’ll re-test, go into test prep with the knowledge of where to best utilize your time to help maximize your scores(s).

   3. Test-optional — yes, many schools have instituted a ‘test-optional’ approach due to the pandemic, but it’s also a terrific benefit for the student who is a superb performer in the classroom but doesn’t test all too well. Understand that colleges will be far more likely to highly scrutinize grades, grade trends, course rigor, etc., in a test-optional approach. I still recommend trying the SAT and/or ACT without submitting to schools first.

3. SENIOR YEAR COURSE SCHEDULE — just around the corner is planning and scheduling for senior year. This is crucially important; colleges won’t have access to senior year grades until the end of the first semester at the earliest, but they will judge/scrutinize applicants for how seriously they’re taking their last year of secondary school. A proper senior course schedule could send the right message in application review and help a student’s cause. The lack thereof could potentially have the reverse effect.

   1. Not all seniors have the same level of rigor/structure needs. What looks good to colleges will vary from student to student, so there’s not set-in-stone and across-the-board answer for every student. Students should take what’s appropriate for their interests and capabilities. That said, I highly recommend that students challenge themselves whenever possible within the offered resources and their capabilities.

   2. AP vs. Dual Credit — which one is better to take will depend on each individual student and perhaps their preferred college destinations. Generally speaking, colleges prefer AP, but it’s not mandatory or even necessary in a lot of instances, so many students should not feel compelled to have a schedule that’s loaded with AP courses.

4. College Visits — this is a time of year when colleges will begin scheduling programs for underclass prospective students. Special preference will be for the rising juniors who will be next year’s applicants. The pandemic might very well limit the amount of in-person activity, but it’s worth researching which schools might offer on-campus visits. Just about every college will offer a virtual tour if you’re uncomfortable with anything in-person.

Alright, juniors, it’s go-time! Take this last semester before your senior year to solidify your standing and take the next step in your preparation. The application process won’t start for you until the summer at the earliest, but it’ll be here before you know it. Contact me to set up a consultation so that I can help you diagnose your current academic standing, help you plan for ACT/SAT, identify prospective college majors, identify prospective college application destinations, and of course, to help you determine the all-important SENIOR YEAR SCHEDULE, which your schools counselors will soon begin the process for you. Take advantage of the time in January and February. You know where to find me!

Happy New Year,

Randy Trevino

Top 5 Things that Juniors Should be Doing in November (2020 Update)

Students and parents, now that the first semester has reached beyond the midpoint and PSAT/NMSQT has passed, it’s a good time to begin considering what Juniors should be doing so as to begin preparations for the college application process.  It will be here sooner than you might realize, and time flies fast! With the pandemic still in effect, it’s imperative that you stay on-top of things.

Fortunately, if you’re lost or just beginning the process, you’re not behind (even with COVID).  That said, now would be a good time to “turn on the switch,” so to speak, in an effort to stay informed and ahead of the game.

1. Register for the SAT and/or ACT. A good, general rule of thumb is for students to begin taking the SAT and/or ACT the spring of their junior year. It’s understood that some testing centers are having difficulty maintaining openness due to the virus, but this should still be a factor in the process. The timing of such can depend on a few different factors:

   a. Prior testing history

   b. Academic performance

   c. Athletic recruitment

   — ***Some students who are more academically advanced should consider taking standardized exams in the Fall as opposed to the Spring, so as to obtain a better indication for long-term scoring.***

   — It’s suggested that students do a modest but limited amount of preparation going in to their first SAT/ACT so as to establish familiarity with standardized exams. Since students won’t specifically know how they’ll perform as they take their first, I suggest that students and parents not spend significant money on test prep or test tutoring at this point. Once a score report is obtained, the test prep agencies and tutors can utilize the information to perhaps tailor a course of action to maximize time efficiency based on each section of the SAT or ACT; this could also perhaps save parents a significant amount of money.

   
   — Students are likely to perform better on one of the standardized exams. It’s recommended that both are taken at least once so that a concordance comparison for re-examination can be examined. Focus on re-taking whichever is higher from that point forward; most colleges do not specify a preference between the ACT or SAT. As well, TEST OPTIONAL admission decisions/processes are commonplace due to the pandemic. It’s still a good idea to have scores on record to report if necessary; a student who scores high on the SAT or ACT should very likely consider submitting the high scores!

2. Utilize free test preparation resources. I highly suggest that students link their College Board accounts with wonderful resources like Khan Academy, which is a free online test prep resource that diagnoses SAT scores and offers daily test prep. Khan Academy can also familiarize a new test-taker with the SAT and in the very least, it can be an eye-opener for students going into their first exam. Covid has forced many students into an online-only environment, so this might actually be optimal in the first place.

3. Begin having discussions about school preferences. Many considerations will go into choosing a college, so consider the following factors to initiate the conversations:

a. Public vs Private schools

b. In-State vs Out-of-State schools

c. Urban campus or College town?

d. WILL MONEY BE A DECIDING FACTOR?

4. Utilize Junior year to begin making college visits (if you have not already been making them). Many colleges are open for official campus visits, even with Covid restrictions. Otherwise, prepare to make virtual visits. Here are some tips for setting up college visits:

a. If you don’t have a specific list of interest schools to visit, then start locally. The DFW area has quite a number of terrific colleges and universities; whether a student is interested in them or not, visiting some of them will at the very least serve as a comparison and example for the college campus “feel.”

b. Almost every college makes visiting the university admissions office very easy to find. When in doubt, do simple internet searches under the college’s name and add “visit” to it. You’ll likely be led to a page that will list when the admission office will have an official visit times/dates and how to officially register for them.

c. Keep in-mind that colleges often track “demonstrated interest,” so visiting through the official process helps the college remove any doubt as to whether or not you're truly interested should you submit an application down the line.

5. Keep up the academic performance or establish a positive grade trend. Junior year is what I call the “perfect storm” year, as it’s the first year that most high school students will have more rigorous courses available (AP, etc.), and it’s the last year that colleges will see on a transcript when applications are submitted during Senior year.

a. Colleges take grade trends into consideration. If a student had lackluster performance earlier in their high school tenure, then the Junior year can help a student improve. It’s generally better to end higher and on a positive grade trend than the reverse.

b. Be thinking about Senior courses. I’ll have more information about this topic later in the Winter-Spring.

I’ll have more information for Juniors down the line, but this should hopefully help Junior parents and students understand what they should be doing as of late Fall. There’s plenty of time to accomplish goals and to stay ahead of the game, but it’s best to jump on the train! Of course, contact me should you have any questions or if you’d like to inquire about an underclass consultation. We’ll go from there!