Making the most of senior year

• Consider one final retake of the SAT/ACT.  As your student prepares to get those college applications together, it’s worth thinking about retaking the SAT/ACT this fall. The SAT has an October 5, 2024, test date and the ACT has September 14 and October 26, 2024, test dates. If your student is not pleased with their test scores, they could prep now to raise their test score.  

• Get serious about narrowing down that college list. If you visited a few colleges with your student during junior year or over the summer, but they still haven’t decided which ones are on their target, safety and backup lists, now is the time to decide. Talk with your student about how to evaluate the schools on their list based on their academic and other priorities.  

• Request any recommendation letters early. Make sure your student requests any recommendation letters from teachers, coaches and others early in the school year.  Back to school is a busy time of year for all teachers and education professionals, and your student will not be the only one asking for letters. If your student asked teachers at the end of last school year, a friendly reminder about your application deadlines doesn’t hurt.  

• Stay organized. There’s a lot to do senior year, and it can definitely overwhelm even the most organized of students. Encourage your student to maintain a good organizational system to keep track of all college-related deadlines and materials. They’ll still have tests, projects and school deadlines too, so good organization and time management is essential.  

• Keep working hard. Many colleges request transcripts of students even after they have been admitted, so make sure your student is aware that their senior year grades do matter. They should maintain high grades and good school habits and routines in preparation for college. Senior year is not the time to slack off, as final transcripts are submitted to the college your student plans to attend. 

Understandably, your student is excited to have reached their senior year. This year will be both stressful and fun, and your student will make plenty of memories. Remind them that how they finish is important and will help them get into their college of choice—and their commitment now will ensure they have a great experience once they get there!