’Tis the season to apply to colleges

It’s that time of year again. Seniors are preparing their applications and sorting through colleges all around the nation. But they aren’t the only ones who should be thinking about their academic futures. High schoolers of all grades should be getting ready and thinking about where they want to go with their education.

“My message to all high schoolers is to start thinking about college and your future career as soon as possible. I would recommend at least some type of post-secondary education or training to everyone, especially in this economy, It’s always best to get ahead of the game,” said Colony High School counselor Becky Krupa at a presentation to the senior class about life after high school.

There are so many options available to young adults these days, and the opportunities grow with the amount of specialization you achieve. Sites such as collegeboard.com can help students keep track of their academics and even help them find a college that best suits them. Other helpful sites to visit are the WUE homepage, where Alaska students can receive deals on tuition in some western states. Also, The Common App, which submits a common college application to all the colleges of your choice. Talk to your counselor about opportunities your school offers to help prepare yourself for the application process.

Susan Brunner, an English teacher at Colony, has just started teaching a class to assist students with applying for college.

“It’s hard for students to get all the support they need from their parents and school in the college application process,” she said. “That’s what I’m here for. My class, ‘Transitions,’ guides our upperclassmen through all the aspects of applying. My job is to give these kids the direction they need to submitting the perfect application.”

This is a district-wide class, but for now Colony is the only school that offers it.

“The last couple of years I’ve been really concentrating on my academics as well as my extracurricular activities. Being a senior, the whole application process is what I’ve been working for all these years. It is one of the most crucial periods in my senior year and it’s about to happen,” said Eva Colberg, a senior at Colony and a very dedicated student and athlete.

For seniors, fall is the time to put your applications together. Make sure that if you are participating in early admissions, make sure to get your applications and test scores in by the beginning of November. In the winter and spring you should be reviewing and revising your applications and turning them in to your colleges. By late spring, the acceptance or rejection letters should come in and by May 1 you need to have your response turned in to the college of your choice. Don’t forget to tell your counselor to send your transcript to your school.

Elizabeth Washam, a junior at Colony, has been preparing for college for over a year.

“I took both the PSAT and the PACT last year to prepare me for this spring when I take the actual tests,” she said. “I think I scored relatively well, but there is always room for improvement, and it will be greatly appreciated on the real tests this spring. Also, I’ve been taking AP and honors classes since freshman year, trying to get ready for college and also save myself money on classes.”

Juniors should take the PSAT this fall, and remembering to sign up for the student service search will be helpful as well. Colleges will begin to send you brochures and information, giving you a better idea of what you want in a college. In the winter, prepare yourself for the SAT and ACT by purchasing books and enrolling in prep classes. Sign up for the spring tests and begin to visit local collages. Many collages offer virtual tours online so you can get the feel of the school without even having to leave your house. During the summer, stock up on volunteer hours and try to get a job, being involved in your community earns you points with the admissions officers.

“Especially in this economy, I think that it’s important that students start thinking about college as early as possible. It’s a tough job market, and without a proper education, I don’t see how I am going to be able to make a living,” said Colony High sophomore Artyom Fonov.

Sophomores and freshman have nearly identical game plans when it comes to college prep. The main goals are to start talking to your parents and counselors about your options and get involved in your school by joining clubs, sports and gaining a lot of volunteer experience. Although few know this, the PSAT is available for any grade to take and it is highly recommended that ninth- and 10th-graders take the test for more practice. Statistics have proven that the more times students take the PSAT or SAT, their scores improve dramatically. It is never too early to start planning ahead and preparing for college, even at the start of high school.

Harold Henderson, another counselor at Colony said, “Look at your opportunities from multiple angles — short term, long term — (and) how your decision would affect those around you. If you have tunnel vision and don’t look far enough into the future, your decisions can come back and bite you in the butt. Although immediate gratification seems like a good way to go at first, it won’t last forever and has the potential to hurt you in the long run.”

Molly Sullivan is a senior at Colony High School.