The College Prep Process

By: Emily Long

A new school year is about to begin, and you are
ready to start that English reading list, work a
few math problems, and spend some time on
your science labs. But something else looms in
the back of your mind: the college process.
College seems so far away, but it is never too
early to think about preparing for the applica-
tions and essays necessary to get you there. In
this issue, AMG gives you some food for thought
on integrating college prep into your high school
career.

Even though you have a whole fun-filled four
years ahead, you can (and should) begin think-
ing about college the day you begin 9th grade.
Mary Beth Fry, college counselor at the Savannah Country Day School in
Savannah, GA, tells freshman that it is important to do your best in
school from the get-go. It may seem intimidating, but grades are reported
to colleges starting in 9th grade. Just remember: “As long as you are
working as hard as you can and trying hard to be responsible for yourself,
things will work out for you later on as you apply to college.”

So what exactly should you do to prepare? Basically, putting in your best
effort, getting involved, and finding your niche is just as important in 9th
grade as in your senior year. According to Ms. Fry, challenging yourself
academically each year is an important factor in college admissions. Not
only will taking your school’s advanced courses each year look good, but
it will prepare you for tougher 11th and 12th grade classes and college
courses.

Communicating with your teachers
will help you succeed in the class-
room. Developing a relationship
will allow you to ask for help when
you need it, and your teachers will
respect this maturity and enthus-
iasm for their subject. Also, the best
recommendations come from
teachers who know you well and
support your efforts. Finally, if you
get to know one or two teachers
well, you can develop a mentor-mentee relationship that extends beyond
academics.

Ms. Fry also advises students to explore their interests. This doesn’t mean
join every club your school offers, but rather spend some time early on
identifying what you enjoy and then make a commitment to a few really
great activities. “This will not only help you to meet new people and make
new friends (which is part of the point of high school), but it will also help
you to broaden your perspective on the world, and to discover new
talents. Colleges like to see that you've stretched yourself in lots of ways,
not only in the classroom.”

What if you get to your junior year and realize you spent more time
watching TV or hanging out with friends than you should have? Ms. Fry
advises that it is never too late to improve your resume: “The first thing is
not to waste time agonizing over things you can't change.  If you weren't
very involved in activities or sports in 9th and 10th grades, don't make
excuses for yourself--just make up your mind NOW to find a few
interesting things to do, and keep at them--through graduation and even
into college.  But don't do things just to add stuff to the resume.  Find
activities that you're truly interested in and make sense for you to do.
The same goes for academics--don't fret over what's happened in the past;
just vow to move forward and do better--and then make it happen.”

In terms of looking at colleges, it is never too early to discuss with your
family what you are interested in and then visiting a few schools. This is
the best way to familiarize yourself with what you might want in a college
campus. What kinds of challenges are you seeking? Are you comfortable
in a big school or a small school? What non-academic pursuits are
important to you?

Ultimately, the college process is what you put into it, and while you can’t
always control the outcome, you are entirely in control of that effort. Ms.
Fry breaks it down with these wise words: “In many ways, it's simple:  be
yourself!  Be aware of yourself--your strengths and your weaknesses--and
be honest with yourself about those strengths and weaknesses.  A student
who knows herself, who has thought carefully about her goals and
interests, and who has worked hard through high school is much more
likely to do well, to feel confident, and to be a strong college applicant.”

So get out there on your first day of school with the confidence to do your
best!