College Planning Tips

At Halstrom, our experienced and certified counselors sit down with each student and parent(s) to plan out the right college, major, and potential career.  We also provide detailed guidance on putting together the best application, achieving the target test scores, building the right resume, and acing the interview.

The following are general guidelines to follow.  Please contact one of our directors if you would like to receive a free consultation regarding your student.

Researching

• Find the school that fits you and your personality.
• Visit colleges to get a feel for the campus and campus life.
• Make sure to complete courses that are required by the colleges you are researching.
• Know the average test scores and GPA of students going to each college and aim for at least those benchmarks.

• Start preparing early for the SAT or ACT.
• Take a class or do practice problems to get ahead.

• Don’t waste your summers - use them to be productive and learn or get ahead.
• Find a job or internship that helps you gain insight into a field you are considering pursuing.
• Volunteer if you can’t find a job. Stay active and build your resume.
• Summer School – take classes to get ahead or to learn about something that fits your interested.

• Don’t be afraid to ask for help and use any resources you can to get ahead of the other students that are applying to your choice college.
• Talk to teachers early about writing letters of recommendation.
• Take your time in applying. The application should be the best representation possible of you.
• Constantly work on improving and perfecting your essays as they should reflect exactly who you are. It’s the best opportunity to be you and represent yourself.

• Research schools that are both in your score range and ability range (Such as DI, DII, DIII).
• Contact schools/coaches early to see if you are a good candidate to be an official recruit.
• Sell yourself to coaches with athletic achievements, test scores, and academic distinctions.

• Talk about yourself and what you love (school subjects, sports, music, activities, etc.)
• Maintain good eye contact.
• Research the school and ask questions that are intelligent and related to the school.
• Write a thank you note, pointing out something that you talked about during the interview so that you are memorable.
• Dress appropriately – don’t go overboard, but look presentable.