10th Grade Planning

• MEET WITH YOUR SCHOOL COUNSELOR:  It's important for you and your student to meet with your school counselor at least once a year to review your student's progress and tailor his or her goals based on academic performance and change in interests. Go to the "Get to Know Your Counselor" page to find out how to contact your student's school counselor.
• It's not too early to schedule a few college visits!

Princeton Review www.princetonreview.com

Kaplan www.kaptest.com

PJ's Test Prep www.pjtestprep.com

Khan Academy www.khanacademy.org/test-prep/sat)

• It's not too early to schedule a few college visits.  If you can't travel this summer, visit a few school websites to take their virtual tours.  The college website is a great resource to look into special programs that each school offers.  Early research is important.  You should know WHY you want to attend any college.  It's a big investment!
• Over the summer, read, read and read in your spare time: novels, newspapers, scientific journals, et cetera.  By reading different literary styles and genres, you will be doing the best kind of preparation for the SAT critical reading section. The more you read, the more your vocabulary and reading comprehension will increase and the more you will be able to raise your SAT critical reading score.
• It's not too early to schedule a few college visits!  If possible, take advantage of vacation or other family travel opportunities to visit colleges.  Even if there is not interest in attending the college you are visiting, it will help your student learn what to look for in making a choice about any campus.  it's a powerful influence on your student's attitude toward doing his or her best in high school.
• NAVIANCE:  Use Naviance to tour campuses.  Find the "COLLEGE" tab at the top of the homepage; then, begin searching for colleges.  Each school's website, admissions requirements, majors, school size and tuition are provided for you.  Go to the college's website and take a virtual tour!
• www.cappex.com is another excellent college search tool.  Use both of these tools to find the right college for you.  

Summer is the perfect time to explore your academic interests in a setting that's not necessarily confined to a classroom.  MIT offers several opportunities for students interested in math, science and medicine.  Visit the site posted below to review the options and the application process. It's never too early to prepare for your investment of time in the summer!

MIT SUMMER PROGRAMS

Rigor of coursework, grades and test scores are most important in the college admissions process, but so is finding a passion for an extracurricular involvement.

• University admissions counselors are not looking for the "serial joiner." Rather, they are looking for commitment or a significant contribution over a period of time.  Colleges like to see long term commitment; it's fine to start something and then drop out, but try to have at least two or three in-depth involvements that will be three to four year commitments.  Remember that it's not the length of the resume - it's the quality of your student's commitment(s) that counts most.
• This is a good summer to get a job.  Colleges love to see a sense of responsibility, as well as the fact that students have not had everything handed to them.  Consider a job that's less cushy, such as working in a retail store or on a construction crew. If you have a particular talent, try to line something up commensurate with your academic skills, such as working in a computer store or for a local paper.  If you are an athlete, work on your training here, too. 

1. Does your student have a leadership role?  
2. How has your student invested time, consistently, each summer or after school for the last few years?  
3. Specifically, what positive impact has your student's contribution made to the community or to the organization's success?  

These are important factors in determining which extracurricular activities your student should choose.

• Extracurricular activities can also help students develop time-management skills and enrich the overall school experience!

Start thinking about saving for college and possible scholarships senior year!  It would be a good idea to become familiar with the most frequently used terms.  You can't submit the FAFSA until December of your senior year, but you can visit the website at http://www.fafsa.ed.gov/ to find the FAFSA worksheet. Get a head start on finding funds for college!