1.Be a leader in the classroom.
- Take advanced courses rather than get easy A's, especially in the areas you want to study in college.
- Develop relationships with teachers so they'll give you letters of recommendation.
2.Be a leader outside the classroom.
- Find something you're passionate about and stick to it. Don't overload your resumee with 20 activities if you don't have a real interest in them.
- Develop knowledge and expertise in those activities showing your drive and focus.
3.Make your application shine.
- Proofread!!!!
- Do a first draft on a separate piece of paper.
- Your applicaion is your first impression. so make it a positive one that shows the best things about you.
4.Do more with your summers.
- Find a job that lets you do something you enjoy and lets you distinguish yourself.
- Find a project in your community.
- You will be able to talk to admission counselors about your experience so value your time.
5.Make the most of each campus visit.
- Meet with student. counselors, and professors to get the full scoop on the school.
- Take note of what each person says.
- Will the campus help you succeed and make you feel at home?
8( Oh my dear elmarie. I don't have relationships with any of my teachers. I never even talk to them outside of class. I have no clue what I'm passionate about, and my resumee would seriously be BLANK. I've thought about trying to volunteer for Denver Dumb Friend League and working at Jamba Juice, but it's just so intimidating! I've done absolutely nothing with my summer, and it kinda feels like it's too late to do anything now. And I really haven't visited any colleges. I toured CU and UNC but way back in middle school. What should I do? When people ask me what I want to do or what interests me, I go blank and say idk. It's not that nothing interests me, it's that EVERYTHING interests me, but I'm not particularly good at anything.
ReplyDeleteWhat about music? I know you really enjoy it and it's a big part of your life. Next summer try finding a job at a music store like Second Spin where they could use your expertise in music. I know counselors always think that you can come up with a job based only on your interests, but I found the best way is to find someone you admire, and, don't copy them, but figure out what drew you to them and what traits of theirs you would like to achieve and then formulate a career from those traits. It could be something you never thought of doing, or it could be one of the things you dreamed about doing as a child.
ReplyDeleteAs far as colleges go, go to the college fair at Creek and see if any of them interest you. Then go with your parents to the Colorado schools so you can get an idea of what campus/populuation sizes you want. Then over a long break, visit a school that seems interesting even if you don't think you'll be going there. Ask students how they decided on their majors and find out what they went through deciding on a school. Then talk to professors and see what they look for in good students.
Hang in there and don't get too stressed out, but try to begin your search now even if that means googling Princeton to see what courses they offer. Every step counts.
Lisa