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This is especially true when it comes to letters of recommendation. Its easy to get freaked out about which teachers to ask, if theyll agree to write your letters, and how to guarantee that they wont secretly write you a bad letter that will torpedo your chances of getting into college. TYPES of Letters of Recommendation?
Admissions officers mark each individual factor (grades, test scores, essays, extracurricular activities, letters of recommendation, etc.) Certainly, it’s nice to be a great center fielder, to have led your Model UN team to a regional title, or to be the lead in your highschool musical.
Getting hands-on research experience in highschool can transform your academic journey and college applications. Why Should HighSchool Students Reach Out to Professors? The benefits of working with college professors during highschool extend far beyond adding a line to your college applications.
Highschool is the perfect time to start thinking about your future. For most students, taking highschool seriously is driven by the goal of getting into Ivy League schools or other top universities in the country. Some experts even recommend that students begin as early as the 6th grade!
The answer includes strong academics, compelling extracurriculars, and an authentic story that showcases your unique strengths. Letters of recommendation Harvard requires three letters: two from teachers and one from your school counselor. What does Harvard look for in an applicant?
Highschool juniors are at a pivotal stage in the college application process. Engage in Extracurriculars Colleges want to see students who are involved outside of the classroom. I recommend creating a student resume now so that you can see the full picture of your activities starting from grade nine.
Their application is designed to gather extensive information about your academic achievements, extracurricular activities, personal insights (through essays), and circumstances. Unlike most private universities, the UC system does not require or accept letters of recommendation at the initial application stage.
Demonstrate leadership through work experience or extracurricular activities. Start Early Begin planning as early as your sophomore year of highschool (if you’re past that, you can of course still apply—planning ahead just makes this relatively easier). You should also aim for high standardized test scores ( SAT or ACT ).
Do you have to be a star athlete, or a straight-A student, or maybe the president of every extracurricular club? Academic achievement/Merit-based Academic or merit-based scholarships are awarded based on high academic achievement. Who should you ask to write your letters of recommendation? college or university.
Harvard looks at other factors like your course rigor, extracurricular activities, essays, and recommendations. To give you an idea, though, nearly 75% of admitted students graduated highschool with a 4.0 Admissions officers also consider how your GPA fits within the context of your school.
The average GPA for students admitted to Ivy League schools is about 4.0, indicating that most applicants earn A’s in highschool. So if you’re targeting these competitive schools, put in the effort to maintain strong grades. Your grades will be one of the first things college admissions review.
Here’s a comprehensive overview of key milestones and focus areas for each year of highschool, including senior year. 9th Grade: Building the Foundation Freshman year focuses on making a successful transition to highschool while laying groundwork for college preparation. Research and apply for scholarships.
A highschool diploma or equivalent Youll need to have a highschool diploma or a GED (General Educational Development Test) before you can apply. But some schools might have specific highschool course requirements. Extracurricular activities Colleges love well-rounded applicants.
The Jack Kent Cooke Scholarship is pretty awesomeits one of the most generous scholarships available for high-achieving highschool students with financial need. JKC Young Scholars Program The JKC Young Scholars Program is a five-year, pre-college scholarship for high-achieving students entering 8th grade with financial need.
RSI is one of the most sought-after summer programs for highschool students. Every summer, 100 of the brightest highschool students worldwide come together at MIT for an unforgettable experience. Standout extracurricular achievements What you do outside the classroom matters just as much as your grades.
For my March Facebook Live Q&A, I answered questions from highschool students and parents from across the country on topics like test scores, waitlists, extracurricular activities, letters of recommendation, and much more!
Brooks School of Public Policy School of Industrial and Labor Relations If youre a strong test taker, submitting your scores here could work in your favor. Cornell will just focus more on your GPA , coursework, extracurriculars, and essays. Score-free colleges for Fall 2025 Applying to one of these schools? Bottom line?
Your academic history should reflect strong, consistent performance throughout highschool. Letters of recommendation. Youll need two letters from teachers and one from your counselor, who will also send a school report. These letters should highlight your academic potential and personal qualities.
Take Advantage of Extracurricular Opportunities One of the exciting things about college is the sheer number of clubs and extracurricular opportunities available. As you settle into a new study rhythm, breaking your day into class, study, and extracurricular blocks can make it easier to stay organized and keep up with your work.
With so many steps involved—like writing your essay and asking for recommendationletters—it’s easy to feel lost. That’s why we suggest starting with a simple to-do list during your junior year of highschool. What summer programs or extracurriculars should I take? Begin requesting recommendationletters.
When planning for the college application process, we often focus on the parts of the application you create: your essays, your extracurricular activities, your award-winning projects, etc. YOUR TEACHERS: In the spring of junior year, you will ask two teachers to write your letters of recommendation. Weve got you covered!
With so many components to college applications—grades, extracurriculars, test scores, and essays—it’s easy to lose sight of what makes you a unique applicant. Using Letters of Recommendation Effectively Letters of recommendation are another opportunity to highlight your strengths for college applications.
Congratulations on a successful end to your junior year of highschool! Before you know it, youll be starting your highschool senior year. As you begin ranking these schools, visit their admissions sites to find their application deadline calendars as well as what is required beyond the formal college application.
Course Selection & Standardized Tests Colleges in the United States consider students’ academic and extracurricular performances starting in the 9th grade. Similarly, your extracurriculars should be tied to your academic interests if possible. Campus Visits Junior spring is when most students in US highschools visit campuses.
Holistic admissions policies are very common nowadays, with colleges considering different factors, such as essays, extracurriculars, and test scores. These institutions recognize that not everyone does great academically, so they look at an applicant as a whole by asking for letters of recommendation and personal essays, among other things.
If you applied by a mid-October or early-November deadline, we know that by late January youve had updates to your academic, extracurricular, and personal records. You can also expect a request for fall grades, so be prepared to take appropriate action with your highschool to get that information submitted.
THE RISE OF THE HIGHSCHOOL GPA Colleges can easily notice school-specific grade inflation by looking at the schools yearly college profile. Many schools provide the colleges with a breakdown of GPAs or a grade distribution chart, like the ones below. External pressures from rankings such as Niche and U.S
School counselors at public schools spend 26% (at private schools: 51%) of their time on post-secondary (college admissions) counseling. In many cases, overworked and overwhelmed highschool counselors simply have too many students to give individual attention needed in the competitive admissions environment.
I begin working with external transfers after theyve completed at least one semester of college courses post-highschool. I suppose if you want to provide resume, extracurricular, achievement, or special circumstances updates with your 200 allotted words, go for it. Should I request a major change? Sure, may as well.
Back in May 2024, I shared my top strategies for getting into law school and how highschool students can start preparing early. Now, with law school application deadlines approaching in February and March, it’s time to dive into one of the most critical elements: crafting a compelling admissions essay.
Heres what youll need to submit : Highschool transcript. Your transcript will also include your class rank if your school provides it. Extracurricular activities. Letters of recommendation (optional). You can submit up to two recommendationletters to strengthen your application. or higher.
college or graduate school, and have a family income of less than $150,000 per year. The WTS Transportation YOU HighSchool Scholarship The WTS Transportation YOU HighSchool Scholarship is for $2,500. This is available to all female highschool seniors who reside in Oregon or Southwest Washington.
If you’re a highschool senior or a transfer student, this guide is here to help you navigate the admissions process at one of the country’s top universities. Equally important are your letters of recommendation. What Is the Johns Hopkins Early Decision Acceptance Rate?
Highschool academics and activities Familiarize yourself with the highschool graduation requirements Every highschool requires students to take a minimum number of core classes and may also require courses like arts or physical education. Also, many highschools have colleges come to visit.
Additionally, Pathways will allow students to develop their extracurricular activities and other volunteer opportunities around the particular pathway they’ve chosen. Consider attending the annual premed Health Information Summit , which is open to all highschool and college students who are interested in pursuing a career in medicine.
highschool students in just one month. For students with strong academic credentials but relatively weaker extracurricular profiles, the Canadian application process is a much better fit. Whether seeking more affordable options or less politicized campuses, U.S. Admission to selective U.S.
Teacher recommendations can make or break your application. The best recommendations will not only talk about your strengths but also provide concrete examples that demonstrate why youre a great fit for Cornell. Extracurricular activities. Show what youre passionate about outside of school.
UCLA Summer Sessions are pre-college summer programs that let highschool students engage with university-level academics and experience campus life at UCLA. Youll choose from a list of pre-approved courses for highschool students, which are deemed suitable for your academic level and preparation.
Insights into how factors like GPA , essays, and extracurriculars are weighted. If your grades have improved since you submitted your application, send an updated transcript or a note from your school counselor. Extracurricular achievements. Share these milestones in a letter of continued interest. Application essays.
Youll need to prepare: Highschool transcripts Transcripts from all colleges youve attended SAT or ACT scores A mid-year report Letters of recommendation Major-specific items like a resume, portfolio, or statement Missing even one of these documents could delay your application, especially if youre aiming for the Ivies or other top universities.
Duke is a highly selective school, so youll need to bring your A-game when it comes to grades, coursework, and extracurricular activities. Strong academic record Duke wants to see that youve challenged yourself in highschool, so its important to take a rigorous course load.
Heres what youll need to submit : Highschool transcript. Letters of recommendation. Extracurricular activities. GPA, class rank, and rigorous coursework are top priorities, along with standout essays, recommendations, and test scores (if submitted). This showcases your academic rigor. More on those later.
They ask students for the usual stuff: your highschool and college transcripts, a college report, letters of recommendation, and an essay. If you bombed AP physics in your junior year of highschool, you should not take it during your first semester of college. Get involved! But not only that.
They use the Common Application, and heres what youll need to provide: Highschool transcript. Recommended coursework includes four years of English, Math, Science, Social Studies, and a Foreign Language. Letters of recommendation. Extracurricular activities. Harvey Mudd values academic rigor.
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