| It's officially January of Junior year!
This month you should be thinking about: - creating a testing plan.
- starting to build a college list.
- guiding your student on selecting classes for senior year.
Here's a summary of what we discussed on Jan. 10th:
(1) While some colleges have announced test-optional policies for the 2022 admissions cycle, because of mixed data on how the Class of 2021 students fared this year, you should register your student for an ACT/SAT, to at least secure them a spot. If they decide to take the test and do well, they'll have more academic results to share with schools, even those that are test-optional. Remember: only schools that are test-blind will not consider a student's test result.
(2) This is the best time to start building a college list. Your student's college list should include: - 1-2 aspirational "reach" schools. A school is considered a reach when your student's test score (e.g., PSAT, SAT, ACT) and GPA is on the cusp of or below the middle 50% range. Many reach schools are considered highly competitive, with admit rates of 40% and lower.
- 6-8 target schools. A school is considered a target when your student's test score and GPA range is solidly within the middle 50% test score and GPA range. A target school will be less competitive, with admit rates between 41% and 75%. Your student will be a competitive candidate and have good chances of admission.
- 2 safety schools. A school is considered a safety when your student's test score and GPA range is within the 75% test score and GPA range. A safety school is almost a sure bet of admissions, with admit rates higher than 75%.
(3) Criteria to consider as you build your student's list with them:
- Academic Interests
- Affordability
- Campus Environment/Culture Fit
- Value (e.g., quality of program, graduation rate, career option, etc. for the cost)
- Family specific criteria (e.g., distance, support services, etc.)
- Admissions Chances
(4) Learn as much as you can about schools via their college websites, college fairs, virtual tours, their college social media accounts, current and former students, the school newspaper, and the college common data set.
(5) It's also important to keep in mind that it's OK if your student's list changes as you and they deepen the college search.
Key Next Steps:
- Decide which test your teen will take, the SAT or ACT or both.
- Register for all tests in case any get canceled. This was a big problem for the Class of 2021.
- Begin to discuss "aspirational" colleges and build a list of target and safety schools.
Jan. Office Hours Office hours are scheduled for Sunday, Jan. 24th at 7pm ET.
We'll be reviewing issues you should be considering when your student is selecting classes for senior year.
In addition, we'll also be showing you how to use College Insights.
Feel free to sign into College Insights and use the discount code freeaccess. You still need to input your credit card, but you will NOT be charged. You'll receive free access for as long as you're a Concierge member.
We'll also be welcoming Rebecca on Sunday as another new Concierge counselor.
Rebecca has been counseling students and families for the past 11 years. She's currently director of college counseling at a private boarding school and has worked as a college counselor in public schools in the US, as well as private schools overseas.
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