Tips for College

Ready to begin the college search? Here are some useful tips for each year of high school and a PDF of "Opportunities- Preparing for College Guide and Workbook:

 

*Concentrate on your academics. Colleges look at a student's cumulative GPA from 9th-12th grades, so even though you may not be thinking about college yet, your grades will count!

*Consider taking Honors level courses to challenge yourself and help your overall grade point average. 

*Be a responsible student- turn in assignments complete and on time, prepare yourself for tests, and take personal responsibility when a problem arises.

*Get involved! Colleges want to see students who are not only academically gifted, but who are involved and show leadership skills around school and the community. Keep a list of your academic achievements, school and community involvement, and leadership experience throughout high school on a resume.

*Think about careers you would like to consider based on your interests and academic abilities. 

*Work with your parents on starting a college fund if you have not already done so. 

*Watch social media accounts. Colleges have rescinded admissions and scholarship offers in response to students posting inappropriate and/or defamatory material.

*Review the "Preparing for College from your Couch" document below providing by ACT. It provides great resources for your college and career planning!

*Want to play sports in college? See the attachment below for NCAA information and work with your grade-level counselor and coaches to make sure you are meeting all requirements for classes and being recruited.

 

*Continue striving for academic success and taking responsibility for your actions and education.

*Sign up for Honors and/or Advanced Placement (AP) courses.

*Stay involved and work towards leadership opportunities at Bartlett and in the community. Update your resume as needed.

*Visit college/military recruiters at the Memphis Area College Night, BHS College and Career Night, and visits at BHS.

*Sign up for the PSAT, the qualifying exam for the National Merit Scholarship Program. While only 11th graders are eligible for the scholarship program, taking it as a 10th grader will be great preparation for the test as an 11th grader.

*Continue researching career options, using websites such as www.collegefortn.org as a starting place for career interest inventories, job outlook, and salary expectations.

*Establish a college fund if you have not already done so and work with your parents on making contributions.

*Get an after-school and/or summer job to learn money management, as well as to help contribute to your college fund.

*Take college tours over the summer and make a preliminary list of schools you would like to consider. Consider a virtual tour at www.ecampustours.com. 

*Sign up for possible scholarship offers on www.fastweb.com, www.cappex.com, and www.goingmerry.com 

*Want to play sports in college? See the attachment below for NCAA information and work with your grade-level counselor and coaches to make sure you are meeting all requirements for classes and being recruited.

 

*Work on maintaining and improving your grade point average. Consider Honors/AP/Dual Enrollment courses.

*Encourage your parents to read Mrs. Radford's monthly email newsletter (beginning 2nd semester) for details on how to prepare for senior year, recruiter visits, scholarship opportunities, and more!

*Practice independence, responsibility, and time management- these skills are incredibly important regardless of your post-secondary path!

*Look for involvement/leadership opportunities around BHS and the community and continue to update your resume.

*Continue working with your parents on making contributions to your college fund.

*Obtain an after-school job to learn money management and contribute to your college fund.

*Narrow your college search to 5-10 schools and visit campuses during school breaks. Be realistic regarding academic and financial requirements. Consider schools that offer careers in which you are interested. 

*Research careers on the Occupational Outlook Handbook and College for TN websites. See the "Links" page for more information.

*Visit with college/military recruiters at the Memphis Area College Night, BHS College and Career Night, and visits at BHS. 

*Take the PSAT in October to possibly qualify for the National Merit Scholarship Program.

*Take the ACT at school in the spring.

*Register with the NCAA and/or NAIA Clearinghouses if you are being recruited to play sports at the collegiate level. See the attachment below for NCAA information and work with your grade-level counselor and coaches to make sure you are meeting all requirements for classes and being recruited. 

*Review the "Preparing for College from your Couch" document below providing by ACT. It provides great resources for your college and career planning!

*Research whether or not colleges you are considering require the ACT with Writing and/or the SAT with Subject Tests. Make plans to take these tests by each college's deadline, if required, and sign up for ACT/SAT tutoring, if needed.

*Apply for summer programs offered by colleges and/or consider summer internships related to your career interests.

*Sign up for possible scholarship offers on www.fastweb.com, www.collegefortn.org, and www.cappex.com. 

 

*Take Honors/AP/Dual Enrollment courses.

*Narrow your college search down to 3-5 options (1 dream school, 2-3 realistic options, 1 definite choice based on academic and financial requirements). Visit colleges by using a Post-Secondary Visit Day (see the "College and Career Policies" page for more information) or during school breaks. See the document below for ideas of questions to ask during a tour.

*Explore potential admissions options such as Early Decision and Early Action. See the document below for explanations of each and make sure you and your parents are aware of the stipulations of each before requesting Mrs. Radford sign your agreement plan. 

*Review the "Preparing for College from your Couch" document below providing by ACT. It provides great resources for your college and career planning!

*Every effort should be made to take the ACT (with Writing, if necessary) and/or SAT (with Subject Tests, if necessary) by October, unless another date is required by the college(s).

*Parents should be reading Mrs. Radford's weekly newsletter every week to stay current on senior year events, policies, and procedures, including financial aid/scholarships.

*Provide recommenders with at least two weeks notice of a deadline and a copy of your resume.

*Consider registering for the Tennessee Promise program, which allows students to attend 2 year community colleges and technical schools in Tennessee tuition-free after all financial aid options have been exhausted. Go to www.tnpromise.gov to apply.

*Visit with college/military recruiters during the Memphis Area College Night, BHS College and Career Night, and lunch visits to BHS. 

*Apply to all the colleges you are considering, paying special attention to all deadlines and requirements for admissions and scholarships. Every effort should be made to apply by December 1st. Students, not parents, should be completing the applications!

*Males over age 18 must register with the Selective Service at www.sss.gov.

*Parents and students need to apply for a FAFSA FSA ID and the FAFSA for federal grants, loans, work study, and the Hope Scholarship. See the "Links" page for more information.

*Once scholarship and financial aid information has been received, have a serious family discussion about what you can afford in regards to your education.

*Pay all required enrollment and housing fees (if applicable) by the deadlines.

*Finish your high school academic career strong. Maintain your grade point average, turn in all assignments, and come to school ready to learn. Senior grades do count and you must take responsibility for your academic career!

*Turn in all acceptance and scholarship letters to Mrs. Radford, regardless of whether or not you are accepting the awards.

*Attend the earliest possible orientation for college to insure the best possible class choices.

*Obtain an after-school/summer job to learn money management and help contribute to your college fund. 

*Consider a summer internship and/or job shadowing related to the career path in which you are interested.