For current high school seniors May 1st is National Decision Day. That's where you and your student will be next year at this time!
As May begins, here's a summary of what was covered last month:
The importance of choosing a potential major now (even for students who have no idea what they want to be, do or study in the future).
- This helps students focus on the right extracurricular activities (that they actually love!).
- This helps students build a strong story to tell - so that, when the time comes, they have a clear, strong application that makes sense to admission officers.
- This helps students stand out on applications in the future.
- Students will not be held to this once they get to college, but it helps to get them to the best possible place at this moment in time.
How to choose a major now (even for students who have no idea).
- Answer the list of questions from Marisa (see attachment).
- Take time to review these answers, talk to people in different career fields, and even shadow individuals who work in a career that your student might be interested in.
- If your student isn't sure what they want to major in while in college, don't worry or panic. Many kids (and adults too) aren't sure what they want to do for a career. It's necessary to research and consider potential majors for all the reasons mentioned but your child is not behind if they aren't sure.
SAT Subject Tests- NOT all schools require SAT subject tests!
- There are 20 SAT Subject Tests in five general subject areas (English, history, languages, mathematics and science).
- Each Subject Test is an hour long (you can take 1, 2 or 3 on same day).
- Each test is multiple-choice (scored on a 200–800 scale).
- These tests test students on knowledge of subjects on a high school level.
- The best way to prepare is to take the relevant courses.
- These tests are generally given six times in any given school year, on the same days and in the same test centers as the SAT.
- Note: not all 20 tests are offered on every SAT date...find out when specific tests will be given!
- NOTE: The Language with Listening tests are only offered in November.
- You can’t take the SAT and an SAT Subject Test on the same day.
- You choose what tests to take when you register. However, on test day, you can add, subtract, or switch tests (with some limitations).
- How to register: through student’s College Board account.
- Can send scores to up to four different colleges for free, but we don’t recommend doing that.
- Most colleges accept October and November scores for early decision/early action programs, but you should check with specific colleges for their deadlines. However, we recommend taking SAT subject tests at the end of the school year (when it’s fresh in your mind).
- Multiple Subject Tests may be taken on the same day but Russ never suggests more than 2 on one test date (btw Subject Test dates and SATs are the same so you have to plan and cannot take an SAT and Subject Test on the same day).
AP Exams- Graded on a scale of 1-5.
- Taken in May (at the end of the class).
- The best way to prepare is to take the relevant AP courses. Your student doesn't have to take the class to take the exam, though most students do.
- Could technically study on your own.
- The exam tests the knowledge that you gained in that particular class, and whether it merits receiving college credit.
- Some colleges may give school credit for getting a certain score.
- Time & money advantages to this!
What we’ll be covering during the first session this month:
- College visits (where, when, how, who to meet with, how to follow up, etc).
- Demonstrated interest (what it is and why it can be important).
- Recommendations (when and how to ask).
- What to do over the summer (to create a stronger story & college application).
Action items to be aware of in May:
- Take AP exams if applicable.
- Register and take SAT Subject Tests, if applicable.
- Study for and register to take SAT or ACT again this summer if student still wishes to raise his or her score.
- Decide on activities to participate in this summer, which not only look great on college applications, but that the student is actually interested in and enjoys doing!!
- Plan out a few college campus visits if you haven’t already done so.
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