Summer is Here!

The end of the school year is here!  Congratulations on completing another school year at Middletown High School.

Although summertime is for relaxation and sunshine, it is also a good time to cross off some items on your college to-do list.  Here are some ideas of what you can accomplish this summer:

• Begin or continue preparing for the SAT or ACT exam.  For the SAT, there are a lot of free resources online to help you prepare.  Learn more at the Khan Academy.

• Draft your college essay.  Unsure of where to start?  Check out the Common Application Essay topics here.

• Continue working on your resume.  Did you participate in a lot of volunteer opportunities during the school year?  Get a new job?  Make sure to add everything you are involved in to your resume (before you forget)!

• Speaking of volunteering and employment, summer is a great time to begin community service or obtain a part-time job.  Colleges want to see students who are not only involved in their academics at school, but are also well-rounded contributors to their communities.

• If you are able to, schedule college tours/visits.  Although campuses tend to be quieter in the summer (college kids get summer break, too), it is often a great time to squeeze campus tours into your busy schedule.

• Lastly, and this one is easy, don't forget to explore college websites online.  You can do a lot research in just 10 minutes without leaving your home. 

Don't forget to check back here in the fall for more helpful tips, college visit information, and more.

Have a great summer, everyone!

SAT

Attention Juniors!

There is still time to register for the June SAT!

As juniors, now is the time to begin taking the SAT exam.  We recommend all students take the SAT at least twice: once towards the end of their junior year and again at the beginning of their senior year.

Why?  Two reasons:

1. "Practice makes perfect."  The more familiar and comfortable you are with the SAT exam, the more confident you will feel.  Most students improve their score the second time they take it.
2. Most colleges superscore: this means colleges will take your highest section score across all of the dates in which you took the SAT and recombine it to give you the best possible chance of becoming admitted.  

The late deadline to register for the SAT is May 25th.  Visit College Board for more information.

If you receive free or reduced lunch here at MHS, you should qualify for an SAT fee waiver.  Speak to your counselor for more information.

Lastly, don't forget about the ACT!  Although the ACT is not offered again at MHS until next year, you can either register now or travel to a local high school to sit for the exam

Freshman Orientation

In our previous post, we mentioned registering for freshman orientation is something college-bound seniors should do ASAP.  But what is freshman orientation?  What happens at freshman orientation?

Every school handles freshman orientation a bit differently.  It is incredibly important that you read through all of the paperwork your school gave you on orientation and what it entails.

Here is a glimpse of some tasks you may complete at freshman orientation this summer:

• Getting acquainted with your new campus.  Orientation is a great time to help new students familiarize themselves with the campus.  You can get an idea of where various important buildings are located such as your classrooms, dining hall, library, dorm, gym, etc.
• Create your schedule. You will often meet with an adviser during orientation to pick out the classes you want to take for your first semester.
• Pick your roommates.  If you are living on-campus, you may have to pick out your residence hall room and roommate.  Every school does this a bit differently.  Some schools may pick your roommate for you or match you up according to a survey.
• Obtain your student ID.  For many colleges, your student ID is your key to everything: getting into certain buildings, taking out library books, eating in the dining hall, and more.
• Learn about clubs and activities.  Get a sense of what types of extra-curricular activities are available on campus.  This could include clubs you can join or events happening on-campus.
• Getting to know other freshman students.  In addition to everything else, orientation is a great time to meet new friends.  You will most likely be placed into large groups with other students who will also be starting in the fall.

You've chosen your college...

Hey seniors!

You've chosen your college...now what?

After months of intensive research and deliberation, you have finally made one of the most important decisions of your life: where you will attend college this fall.  What's left to do?

• Pay your deposit!  If you haven't committed to your school, do this ASAP.  For many schools, it requires you to pay a deposit.  For others, you may have to fill out a form or register online.  Check with your school for more information.
• Register for orientation.  Many schools, especially four-year schools, require new freshman to attend orientation.  Typically orientation occurs over the summer after high school ends, but each institution is different. 
• Start shopping for dorm room essentials.  If you plan on living on-campus, chances are you will need to buy some items for your dorm room that you may not have already at home.  For instance, many colleges will have beds that are size Twin XL.  Besides sheets, some other items to consider are shower caddies, toiletries, pillows, towels, and any decorative items you may want (small area rugs, photos of loved ones, etc).
• Check out your financial aid package.  Depending on the type of aid you have recieved, action may be required on your behalf.  Although this too varies from school to school, you may have to accept or decline certain financial awards.  Make sure you are familiar with your financial aid package and how much it will cost you out of pocket each year.
• Notify your other colleges. Notify the other colleges you were accepted to that you will not be attending.  Only do this when you are absolutely certain you will be attending the college of your choice.