March College Planning Checklist

College Admissions and Test Prep Tips for Students this March You’re half way through the semester! Are you doing everything you can to stay on track for college admissions and a productive academic year? Spring is a critical time for students to plan their summer activities, fall course loads, and ensure that their grades are improving. While it may seem like there are a few more months left in the semester to allow you to get on track, with spring break and other holidays, it’s important for families to make the most of March, especially after a short month like February. Here’s what students need to do in March to stay on track and get ahead. Freshmen You should have an idea by now of how you want to spend your summer. Work on program applications or search for a great-fit summer internship. Take a look at your outside reading list. Are you reading as much as you can? Sophomores By now you should have taken at least one or two ACT and SAT practice tests to determine which test is a better fit for you. Once you know which test to focus on, sit down with your college counselor or tutor to develop an effective test-prep timeline. Evaluate your performance in your courses so far this semester. If you’re struggling with bad grades, now is the time to seek help. Update your resume with your most recent activities, projects, and awards. Juniors If you’re taking the March 8 SAT, be sure to get plenty of rest, eat well, and brush up with some practice problems. Don’t try and cram the night before. If you plan to take the April ACT, don’t forget that the regular registration deadline is Friday, March 7. Finalize all your college visits plans for the spring. The best time to visit colleges is during the academic year, so don’t wait until the last minute. Do you know your IQ? Spend some time this month brushing up on your demonstrated interest. Seniors We can’t stress it enough: Keep up your grades! Don’t fall victim to senioritis. Make some time to sit down with your parents and talk finances. While more admissions decisions are to come, it’s good to set realistic expectations about where you can afford to attend before decisions and financial aid packages arrive. If you haven’t already visited, plan a trip to the schools where you have been accepted. This can help when it comes time to decide where to enroll. What other goals do you have for March? Tell us in the comments below! Don’t forget to also download our full college planning checklist and sign up for our monthly newsletter in order to receive the latest college admissions tips and trends. Our next newsletter comes out later this week!