subject: Will You Get Into Your School Of Choice? [print this page] Now that it's fall, it's time for high school seniors across the country to begin their early applications to their choice institutions for college education. If you fall into this group, you are probably stressing over the outcome. Where will you begin the most exciting years of your life? Will you get in to your favorite school?
Well, I can't tell you the answers to those questions, but if you're still preparing your applications, I can guide you through some of the most critical steps--so listen up!
Whenever applicable, get your grades up. Most universities will see up to your first semester senior marks, and some schools will request your second semester grades if your admission is on the fence. If necessary, speak to any teachers in whose classes you may be struggling to find out about extra credit opportunities, test re-takes, paper corrections, or any other ways to gain extra points.
Tutoring might be necessary. Don't feel embarrassed if you need some outside assistance. Remind yourself of your strong points which have helped you get ahead in the academic world--and which will ultimately be of use to you in college.
A few Chicago tutors provided the expertise I needed to get my science and math grades up, but I was encouraged by my proficiency in writing and literature, both of which were vital to my overall success.
Even if you don't need to shine up your report card, you may still want to engage tutoring services to practice for the entrance exams that most institutions require. While many colleges prefer either the ACT or the SAT, it is always a good idea to take both in order to broaden your options. Plus, many students tend to do better on one test than the other, so for those schools that accept both, you will be able to demonstrate your ability more accurately.
Be sure to schedule the exams with enough time to re-take them at least once before your applications are due. This gives you room for "failure"--or at least a bad day. Ideally, you will have taken enough practice tests to understand what to expect, but you may have some unfortunate circumstances where you lose sleep or have some type of emergency.
Professional tutors can be of assistance in putting together your applications, including brainstorming over essay topics and proofreading when the time comes. In overcrowded public schools, it can be difficult to catch a teacher's attention to help you one-on-one, but a tutor is paid to meet your specific academic needs.
