DO'S AND DON'TS FOR HIGH SCHOOL SENIORS
Your senior year of high school is finally here. For many students, senior year involves lots of homework, lack of sleep, deadlines, and essays plus college research, college applications, counselor meetings, and scholarship deadlines. Here is a list of senior year do’s and don’ts to help you navigate your last year of high school.
DO: TAKE YOUR ACT/SAT TESTS SERIOUSLY
If your previous SAT or ACT test result(s) didn’t meet your expectations, you may still have time to retake the test (or, if you haven’t already taken it, take it for the first time). Although many schools have moved to test optional and test flexible policies, strong SAT and ACT scores may still have a positive impact on the quality of your application and may also improve your scholarship opportunities.
DO: RESEARCH COLLEGES ONLINE
Take time to research a variety of colleges online. You’ll be surprised at how much information you can find on a college’s website. Many colleges also provide a virtual campus tour as well. This is a great resource if you are interested in a college that you are unable to visit in person.
DO: LOOK FOR SCHOLARSHIPS FOR HIGH SCHOOL SENIORS
While you might be overwhelmed senior year, especially with college applications, don’t forget to search and apply for scholarships. You do not always need top grades or super-human accomplishments to qualify for scholarships. You might be a top candidate based on your hometown, your major, your heritage or even a hobby.
DO: VISIT COLLEGES
Visiting colleges can help you figure out what you want and don’t want in a college campus. If possible, visit as many colleges as you can before applying and before making your college decision. If time, opportunity, and cost allow, you might also consider visiting a few colleges that you don’t think you’re interested in because you could stumble upon a school that fits you, or at the very least, you might learn what you don’t want. Whether you are visiting virtually or in person, remember to ask lots of questions.
DO: CONSIDER VARIOUS COLLEGES
Don’t limit yourself to only highly selective or non-competitive colleges. Consider balancing your top college choices with target and safety schools that you would also be happy to attend. And make sure to manage your expectations and have a solid back up plan. Better safe than sorry.
DO: ASK QUESTIONS
Connect with college admissions officers at colleges you want to apply to or learn more about, especially if you have questions. High school guidance counselors and private college counselors are another resource for getting answers to your questions about college.
DO: COMPLETE THE FAFSA
Completing the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) is the only way to qualify for college financial aid provided by the federal government, including loans. Some schools also require the CSS Profile. This application is used by many private colleges, along with the FAFSA, to determine eligibility for scholarships and grants they provide.
The CSS Profile and the FAFSA become available on October 1 each year. It’s important to complete these forms as soon as possible after they become available and before the financial aid submission deadlines for your colleges.
DO: SET UP YOUR ONLINE APPLICATION ACCOUNTS
If you plan to use the Common Application, the Coalition Application, or a statewide college application, create an account as soon as possible, and get familiar with the application environment, essay questions, and processes for submitting your application and recommendations.
DO: STAY ORGANIZED
Deadlines are everywhere when applying to colleges, and senior year is busy. You’ll soon be balancing your high school course load, extracurricular activities and other commitments with preparing for and taking the ACT or SAT, completing your college applications, and writing your application essays. To keep on top of it all, find an organization tool, such as a calendar or an app, to help you organize and remember important college application dates.
DON’T: PROCRASTINATE
You’re going to want to stay ahead of the game senior year, so don’t put things off. Get started on your applications as early as possible, especially your personal essay. Give your teachers, counselor and other recommenders plenty of time to write and submit your recommendation letters, and try not to fall behind in your classes and other commitments. Putting things off will lead to stress and hastily completed applications you might regret later.
DON’T: POST ANYTHING YOU’LL REGRET
Many college admission officers believe it is fair game to visit applicants’ social media profiles like Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter to help them decide who gets in. To avoid having your social media affect your college admission chances, don’t post anything that is or could be deemed offensive, illegal, inappropriate or even questionable.
DON’T: BE AFRAID TO ASK FOR HELP
You probably have lots of questions about college. It’s always okay to ask for help, regardless of what the problem/question may be. Reach out to your parents, counselors, teachers, and friends. College admission reps are another great resource. They not only are there to answer your questions but also want to get to know you and help you find the right college.
DON’T: CATCH SENIORITIS
Once you’ve been admitted to college, you still need to keep up with your schoolwork, do well on exams, and satisfy your graduation requirements. A college can rescind your offer of acceptance if your senior year grades drop dramatically, or if you are convicted of a crime, expelled from school or lied on your application. Watch your behavior, keep up your grades, and don't get into any serious trouble.
DON’T: WORRY TOO MUCH
Letting your final year of high school stress you out isn’t healthy for anyone. Try your best to keep calm and remember that although college may seem confusing and scary, it holds many new opportunities. Remind yourself that it’s okay to feel a little overwhelmed, and it’s also okay to take some time to do a few things you enjoy.
DON’T: FORGET TO ENJOY YOUR LAST YEAR OF HIGH SCHOOL
Senioritis may be real, but graduation day comes and goes quickly. Don’t forget to enjoy your time with your friends (even if from a safe distance) and take part in senior activities in whatever form they may take. This is your last year of high school. Make the most of it!
Vint Hill Educational Services offers mock tests for the ACT and SAT. These are taken in a group setting to simulate the testing environment. For the ACT and SAT, we will review the scores to see which test the student is scoring higher on. Since all colleges and universities accept both tests, it's beneficial to know if your child is scoring higher on the ACT or SAT. Check out our ACT versus SAT comparison chart for test differences. Sometimes the difference is like night and day, and for others, it may be a hairline higher on one versus the other. The student won't know which test is better, unless the individual takes one of each. We'll use our score concordance chart in order to make a test recommendation.
2022-2023 MOCK ACT/SAT TEST DATES
WE WILL BE PROCTORING TESTS VIRTUALLY ON SATURDAY MORNINGS AT 9:00 AM. UPON REGISTERING FOR A VIRTUAL MOCK TEST, YOU’LL RECEIVE A TEST PACKET VIA USPS.
PACKET INCLUDES:
ACT/SAT ANSWER SHEET
ACT/SAT TEST BOOKLET
TEST INSTRUCTIONS
PLEASE SIGN UP NO LATER THAN MONDAY DURING THE WEEK OF THE MOCK TEST. BE SURE TO INCLUDE YOUR ADDRESS DURING REGISTRATION, SO THAT WE CAN MAIL YOU A TESTING PACKET.
ALL ACT/SAT TESTS WILL BE PROCTORED VIRTUALLY THROUGH LESSONSPACE. THE DAY BEFORE EACH TEST, STUDENTS WILL RECEIVE AN EMAILED LINK TO JOIN THE VIRTUALLY PROCTORED TEST. THE TEST INSTRUCTIONS CAN BE USED SHOULD A STUDENT LOSE CONNECTION TO THE TESTING LOBBY. PLEASE ENSURE THAT YOU HAVE A WORKING BUILT-IN MIC (OR A HEADSET) AND AUDIO ON YOUR LAPTOP/DESKTOP.
ACT
Register for a mock ACT by clicking on a specific test date below.
Mock ACT test dates:
SAT
Register for a mock SAT by clicking on a specific test date below. :
Mock SAT test dates:
We also offer one-to-one private mock testing at our offices or virtually through Lessonspace. This consists of a full-length practice test for your child. Tests include: ACT, SAT, PSAT, SSAT, ISEE, HSPT, and SAT Subject Tests. We provide the test booklet, essay booklet, answer sheet, testing timer, calculator, and pencils.
We can send parents a practice test as well, to administer to their student in-home. We will send out a free practice test packet along with proctoring instructions. Parents must send the answer sheet back to us via email or mail.