 Take the Preliminary Scholastic Aptitude Test (PSAT), a practice exam for the SAT. The PSAT can qualify you for the National Merit or the National Achievement Scholarships. |
| As you finish key courses take the appropriate SAT II test soon thereafter, whether in the freshman, sophomore or junior year. You usually register in March for May tests, and April for June tests. SAT II tests are now a key score throughout the UC system. |
| Take Advanced Placement courses and sign up for the spring exams (always take the tests when the material is fresh in your mind). Most colleges expect to see an AP score with each AP course taken. Additionally, posting a high AP score can gain credit at many selective schools. |
| Take the SAT I or ACT in the spring or summer. Should the scores require improvement, review of the ETS actual tests and a program, such as Ivy College Prep's, can address weak areas and build upon strengths.
|
| Take a leadership role in your extracurricular activities. It is important these activities show commitment, dedication and effort throughout your high school years. Additionally any jobs or community service should also show leadership and be built around genuine interests. |
| Should there be special materials (CDs, art, articles...) to submit with your applications, pull all these components together over the summer, when the demands on your time are not so intense. |
| Narrow your college search. Go to college fairs, make campus visits, talk to current students and alumni and find out as much as possible. Read insider reports on your short list (the College Prowler, the Yale Daily News Insider Guide...) of colleges. |
