College Preparation
Suggested Timeline for Preparation
10th Grade
Explore careers
Take PSAT in October, take ACT practice in spring, assess strengths and areas for growth
Create a resume
Create a list of schools (realistic and reach in TAB 2)
If you haven't already created accounts, then create your Common App account. See Common App's guide to help first year college students. Add your colleges using the add button in Common App and look into individual requirements fo reach college (determine deadlines, essay requirements, supplemental components, application fees, etc.) Record information in TAB 2 for College Planning. Please note that you can roll over your account each year until you are a senior.
Begin a spreadsheet to organize information (see sample spreadsheet) to keep up with dates for admissions, housing, scholarship, and financial aid deadlines.
11th Grade
Take PSAT in October
Take SAT/ACT
Revise resume: add service opportunities, work experience, leadership experience
Participate in service opportunities and internships
12th Grade
July
Revise your list of schools (realistic and reach in TAB 2)
If you haven't already created accounts, then create your accounts for Apply Texas and Common App. You may only need Common App, but verify on the university's website. See Common App's guide to help first year college students.
July 1st -you can start your Apply Texas application (may not need, Common App has the majority of colleges)
Work on college essays (Common App and see supplemental essays). See guidance on Mrs. MacFarland's website.
Review your list of colleges and revise as necessary, using the add button in Common App and look into individual requirements fo reach college (determine deadlines, essay requirements, supplemental components, application fees, etc.) Record information in TAB 2 for College Planning.
Register for SAT/ACT. Be sure you are clear on the ranges for your college list and record them in College Planning tab. See College Board's Big Future College Search to get ranges.
Check out scholarships that you qualify for and start building your list in TAB 3 for Scholarship Tracker. Check out Meridian's scholarship list and Mrs. MacFarland's list.
August
August 1st, you can start working on your application in Common App.
Update your resume. See Mrs. MacFarland's guidance.
Determine if you need to retake the ACT/SAT.
September
Ask for college recommendation letters from 2-3 teachers. Common App requires 2 but some colleges want 3. Provide the teachers with a copy of your resume and answer any questions they may ask in order to write a letter.
In Common App, you can connect with Scholar Snapp, a free service from the Michael and Susan Dell Foundation that helps you apply for scholarships. Check the Financial Aid Resources tab to connect to Scholar Snapp.
Review scholarship tracker tab (tab 3) and see what deadlines are approaching and add additional scholarships that you are interested in.
Check the FERPA section in your Common App account to monitor when your transcript and letters of recommendation letters have been submitted to each college.
October
Oct 1 --fill out FASFA form. Some colleges will ask you to fill out the CSS Profile as well. Consult the Financial Aid Resources tab in your Common App. Be sure to review deadlines in the Common App for specific financial aid deadlines and requirements for individual colleges, so you don't miss out on any money you are eligible for. Your parent will need to provide financial information for your family: a Social Security card, tax forms, bank statements, investment records, and untaxed income records.
Write and finalize college essays (see video for helpful information and examples) and will want to complete their application for early admission usually by November 1st
By mid Oct, be sure that you have everything completed in Common App. Be sure you are clear when deadlines are for early and regular decision.
Check the FERPA section in your Common App account to monitor when your transcript and letters of recommendation letters have been submitted to each college.
November
11/1/2024 -- be sure you have submitted applications in Common App for early action.
Start working on regular action apps due in Dec/Jan--check school information!
Work on applying for scholarship deadlines.
December
Apply for scholarship (see your scholarship tracker). Many scholarship forms need to be completed over winter break.
See if there are regular action application deadlines for Jan 1st
January
Some schools require mid-year grades be sent and will receive your final high school transcript at the end of the year. Be sure to keep grades up for scholarship eligibility and for an offer for admission.
Apply for scholarship (see your scholarship tracker)
February
Apply for scholarship (see your scholarship tracker)
March
As you start hearing back from schools, compare the financial aid packages.
April
As you start hearing back from schools, compare the financial aid packages.
Determine where you want to go! Accept and regret by May 1st.
May
May1st Accept/Regret day: Students must choose your commitment by May 1st and submit a financial deposit.
Service Opportunities & Internships
Want ideas for summer enrichment or things to add to your resume? Check out https://www.mrsmacfarland.com/college-readiness/service-opportunities or possible internship opportunities at https://www.mrsmacfarland.com/college-readiness/internships.
What do colleges look for in their applicants?
Colleges are looking for students who will succeed in college and will contribute to the on-campus community. Therefore, colleges are looking at an array of data in order to judge their readiness for school:
SAT/ACT scores although some schools have a no-test option
GPA/transcript, class rank
Extracurricular activities especially those that demonstrate team work, creativity, problem solving, caring or charity, etc.
Rigorous coursework e.g. IB/AP classes, dual credit classes
Application Essays: See the link for guidance.
Letter of Recommendation
Supplemental Essays: Some programs require supplemental essays. An IB Task such as Internal Assessments at the DP level would be appropriate to show your ability to convey your ideas through language.
Interviews: Some universities, especially IVY league schools, may require an interview with the applicant for the application process. Be prepared to answer questions about your major interests, reasons for applying, strengths and challenges, inspirations, future goals, etc. Being polite and personable will go a long way.
Why do IB? College Credit?
Higher Acceptance Rates among IB Graduates: IB students have a higher acceptance rate compared to non-IB students. See link: IB Student Acceptance Rates and Credit Policies at the Top 25 US Universities.
IB Diploma =24 Hrs of College Credit at a Public Texas University: The majority of universities accept IB examinations and IB Diplomas for college credit. In Texas specifically, thanks to Texas Senate Bill 111, all public Texas universities have to grant a minimum of 24 credit hours for all IB Diploma holders. Sometimes students will get even more than 24 hours, some as high as 30-40 hours depending on their scores and where they go!
IB Certificates: Even if a student doesn't get the full diploma, they can still be eligible to receive college credit for individual IB classes if they sit for examinations their senior year. The credits and scores vary from university to university, so you need to check the individual websites. Generally, students who score a 4 or higher are eligible for college credit. More competitive schools may require a 5 or a 6 for college credit.
Here are some links to state schools and how they handle IB credit.
University of Texas at Austin: https://testingservices.utexas.edu/search-undergraduate-exams?field_type_tid%5B%5D=16&field_type_tid%5B%5D=17
Texas A&M University: https://testing.tamu.edu/AP-IB-Credit
Score Card
https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/
Search and compare colleges: their fields of study, costs, admissions, results, and more.
Common Data Sets
Search for your college and CDS in google to see the college's Common Data Sets. Common Data Sets are collections of data about standardized questions about a college's university's admissions and financial aid process.
UT Austin: https://reports.utexas.edu/common-data-set
Texas A&M: https://abpa.tamu.edu/reports-catalog/student
SMU: CDS
Georgetown University: CDS
Baylor: CDS
UTD: CDS
Cost of Attendance
Go to the University's website and search for the Net Price Calculator in order to see realistically what the cost of attendance will be.
Texas A&M: Net Price Calculator
Myintuition: Quick College Cost Estimator
College Board's Net Price Calculator
College Fly In Programs
Students can apply for a fly in program where the university will fly you in for a session. This is only available at select schools.
https://www.collegetransitions.com/blog/colleges-with-fly-in-programs/
https://www.questbridge.org/resources/fly-in-programs
https://getmetocollege.org/what-colleges-look-for/2023-fall-diversity-visit-programs