By Caroline Crocoo

Regardless of age, there is always one thing (besides graduation) on a Pomperaug student’s mind: college. The idea of leaving home (finally), venturing off to a new place with all new friends, and experiencing both education and independence is both exciting and mind-boggling. However, before heading off, every student must endure the infamous “college process,” and in all honesty, it is one substantial journey that cannot begin early enough. No matter what your plans are for life after Pomperaug, approach college with an open mind, and take necessary steps in order to build a strong application that fulfills both requirements and recommendations!

While college applications aren’t sent until senior year, I believe the college process truly begins on the very first day of freshman year. Freshman year is the opportunity for students to adjust to high school and choose classes and extra-curricular activities that suit their needs. Keep in mind that admissions committees will be reviewing your grades from this point forward, and they like to see that the student has challenged themselves with their course-load. My personal recommendation (for a student of any grade level) is to sign up for challenging classes that you have a particular interest or talent in. For example, French is my favorite subject at school, so I have taken it at the honors and A.P. level from freshman to senior year. Over the years, I’ve really expanded on my knowledge in the subject, and at the same time colleges will see that I’ve challenged myself and shown dedication to the language.

Another element of college preparation that is truly important is extra-curricular activities. Colleges love to see that students have immersed themselves in educational, athletic, musical, artistic or volunteering opportunities because each activity provides them with a special skill and involvement in the community. They also like to see dedication throughout your years, so try and stay consistent with your activities, but also do not be afraid to try new things! Involving yourself in sports and clubs can even help you uncover interests that you may have never even known before!

By the time junior year rolls around, the real “timeline of events” will begin, and the college count-down clock will start ticking faster and faster. Research college majors or general areas that you can see yourself studying in the future. Then, try and find colleges that have notable programs for these majors. A helpful websites you can try out is Collegeboard.org, where nearly every school is profiled and categorized based on requirements and descriptive details. You can check up on what each school needs in terms of grades, standardized testing scores, and what factors are important when admissions committees are reviewing applications. Another informative site is Naviance.com. If you log in with a username and password provided by the school, you can research schools and track your own statistics. A useful feature of this site is Naviance’s acceptance rate chart. For each school, you can check out a scatter plot graph, (with GPA on the Y-Axis and SAT scores on the X-Axis), and see where PHS graduates from 2007-2011 fell with certain statistics. From there, you can predict your own chances of being accepted based on the patterns of the graph.

Once you do a little research, think about taking the SATs sometime in your junior year. I took my SATs in March and May of my junior year, and once again in October of my senior year. People generally take the test more than once to improve their score, and many do better their second or third time. Starting earlier is definitely better because you are giving yourself time just in case you did not do as well as you anticipated. Make sure to register at collegeboard.org well in advance, because the deadlines for sign ups are several weeks before the actual test. If you’ve taken the SATs and found yourself unhappy with your scores, try taking the ACTs or SAT subject tests. The ACTs are similar, but are based on different learning styles, so your scores can vary. The SAT subject tests are standardized tests specific to one subject, like English or physics. Make sure to do your research, because some schools may require the ACT or SAT subject tests as a part of your application! To prepare, consider taking an SAT prep class, or buy a practice book at a local bookstore. Getting a feel for what kind of questions will be asked will definitely ease your nerves and give you a good expectation of what kind of questions will be asked on the actual test. Remember to stay calm and do your best. There is always an opportunity to improve!

Toward the end of your junior year or beginning of your senior year, tour the colleges that caught your eye, and get a feel for what life is like on campus. For each college I visited, I wrote down a list of attractive aspects of the school and things that I disliked right after the tour. These lists are really coming in handy for me now, as I am trying to decide on which school to attend! Make sure to write your lists as early as possible because you will have a fresh memory and your first impression is really important! If you don’t fall completely in love with a school, that’s perfectly fine! I saw at least 2 schools that I did not like, and I realized that it’s important to see two sides of the spectrum. If I didn’t see those schools, I wouldn’t know exactly what kind of features I would and wouldn’t like in a college. In addition, it’s important to visit many different types of schools. Before beginning the college process, I was sure that I wanted to attend a small school in a small town, but after touring one, I decided that I would much rather prefer a larger school near a city. Talk to family, friends, and guidance counselors; the people that know you the best will have good advice as to what path to follow, and what seems like a good fit for you.

By the time senior year rolls around, you should make a final list of schools that you will be applying to. Think about applying to a few “safety” schools, or schools that you are likely to be accepted to based on your grades, scores, and financial status. However, don’t be afraid to apply to “reach” schools, or nicer schools that have steeper requirements. Admissions committees can vary in their acceptance rates, so you can surprise yourself! By the time your essay is done, and your application has been sent, you will deserve a nice break from all of your hard work! Keep track of when your schools will notify you about your decision, and try not to panic. If you’ve put in the work, the schools will definitely notice, and it will hopefully pay off. Getting your first acceptance is truly the most amazing feeling, and I wish everyone good luck as they wait for their final decisions. And to all underclassmen: good luck with the college process! As tedious as it may seem, it will pay off, and you will find your way as you move on to a new chapter in your lives!