For almost 50 years, the SAT has played a pivotal role in the college admissions process. The upcoming transition from the traditional paper-and-pencil format to a digital, adaptive SAT marks one of the most significant changes since its inception in 1926. The Class of 2025 will be the first cohort of U.S. students to undergo both the PSAT and SAT in a digital, adaptive format.
Early acceptance rates at these institutions showed a significant advantage over regular decision rates, according to U.S. News data. Though crafting a standout college application can be a time-consuming and stressful process, submitting an application in the fall, well before the typical winter deadline for regular admissions, is possible.Read on to find out more.
Heading back to high school? Whether you’re a high school junior or a senior these tips will help you quickly get into gear for fall semester in terms of your classes, the college admissions process, test prep and, of course, your scholarship search. Yes – there’s a lot to remember – but these tips will help you keep everything on track all semester long by starting out organized, with a plan and with right goals in mind.
Last updated: Jul 15, 2022
College-bound high school seniors should keep two things in mind. The coming months will define the coming years, and you will define the coming months. That’s a bit scary, but the jitters will fade once you take control. To that end, here are 5 back-to-school tips for senior year success.
Senior year is no time to break stride in the academic marathon that high school resembles. Keep your eye on the finish line, and don’t let your grades and extracurricular activities suffer from an excess of graduation hoopla and too much focus on the college colors you want to sport.
Your studies should remain a priority, along with well-chosen extracurriculars, but be sure not to overload your schedule with the latter. Solid performances in a reasonable number of activities will look much better than the so-so record that overreaching can yield.
Two critical and forward-looking senior year duties are research and networking:
You should be researching colleges for a target list, along with college majors and concentrations suited to your skills and likes, scholarship and financial aid options, admissions essay topics, and admissions choices such as early action or regular decision. All this and more must be studied while staying current on international and national news and issues.
Networking must feature person-to-person efforts. Engage teachers who can write recommendations, counselors and admissions officers who can help shape your college adventure, and family and friends who provide critical support.
Networking should include digital footprints that advance academic and potential career pursuits. Two examples are accessing virtual college communities that yield connections and information and exploring LinkedIn and other career- and job-oriented platforms.
Charting your academic future is a study in who you are, and that includes figuring out how to find your passion and a career you love. Most students are still in the hunt when it comes to careers and majors, beginning college with a direction chosen but not a destination.
As a high school senior, however, it’s worth noting that:
Narrowing your career choices, or at least identifying your interests, will make the college decisions more productive.
You might not be ready to choose a college concentration or major based on a career path, but it’s not too soon to start the process.
You can’t get the admissions process rolling until you have a realistic list of target schools.
The essence of this tip is the senior year checklist, and the essence of the checklist is avoiding being overwhelmed by chaos. The checklist imposes a sense of order, putting things such as standardized tests, college admissions hurdles, and scholarship applications on your radar and elevating the odds for and degrees of success.
All academic goals have a timeline, so mark the important dates for each on a calendar. Scheduling apps can help, too. They are great for tracking the steps necessary to reach each goal. But if you want to stay on track, nothing beats having your primary objectives listed on a calendar on a bedroom wall. Better yet, craft a multiple-month presentation, so you can visualize several months’ worth of tasks easily.
For most, planning and preparation must fall within limits imposed by financial realities. A budget is the best way to project, track, and control spending, and it’s never too soon to start.
Budgeting is a skill that can map the financial limits affecting your college options. Use it to expose the financial gap you must close to make your college plans happen. To determine whether you can close that gap, explore financial aid options and pursue scholarships.
At USF, we offer a peer to peer financial education program called Bull2Bull (B2B). The B2B program offers education services such as coaching, workshops, and events designed to help USF students handle their finances well.
Working at the small things can be tedious; it’s easier to cope with the seemingly endless workload if you keep things in perspective:
You aren’t just studying for a high school trig quiz. You’re building an academic record that will make your college applications stand out.
You aren’t just filling out college applications. You’re trying to find the best available path to a fantastic future.
You aren’t just picking a school. You are choosing the way you will define your contributions to the world and shape your dreams.
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.
Register for a mock ACT by clicking on a specific test date below.
Mock ACT test dates:
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.
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For the ACT and SAT, we will compare scores in order to determine which test is better for the student to take. See virtual mock test dates above for the 2022-2023 school year.
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One-to-one private testing at our offices, private virtual testing through Lessonspace, or in-home testing proctored by a parent. A perfect fit for students that need to get acclimated to the test format, structure, and timing. This can help to relieve nervousness and anxiety. Parents have the option of administering the test to their child for free. They can also choose to drop their student off at our offices and we will administer the test to the student. For virtual private proctoring, we will secure a date and time for one of our proctors to meet the student online. Parents will receive a diagnostic score report from our testing software. View sample reports: ACT, SAT, SSAT, ISEE, and HSPT. An individual test scores comparison chart is provided for the ACT and SAT.
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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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Register for a mock ACT by clicking on a specific test date below.
Mock ACT test dates:
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.
With COVID-19 causing widespread school closures, children across the country are being given alternate resources, some online, to study outside of the classroom. Temporary solutions being devised for remote education range from online classroom tools like Google Classroom, to Zoom and podcasts by teachers. While parents are adjusting to this new scenario, during this time it’s also important to help kids stay focused on learning and avoid overuse of games, social media, and videos. Read on for 10 tips.
The coronavirus outbreak has caused major disruptions to daily life, and children are feeling these changes deeply. While the return to school will be welcome and exciting for many students, others will be feeling anxious or frightened. Here are tips to help your children navigate some of the complicated emotions they may be facing with the reopening of schools.
Starting school or starting a new school year can be stressful at the best of times, let alone during a global pandemic. You can make him feel at ease by having an open conversation about what it is that’s worrying him and letting him know that it’s natural to feel anxious.
Children may feel nervous or reluctant to return to school, especially if they have been learning at home for months. Be honest with them. For example, you could go through some of the changes they may expect at school, such as needing to wear forms of protective clothing like masks. Children may also find it difficult being physically distanced from friends and teachers while at school. You could encourage them to think about other ways to bond and stay connected.
Reassure children about safety measures in place to keep students and teachers healthy, and remind children that they can also help prevent germs spreading by washing their hands and coughing or sneezing into their elbow.
Remind children about the positives, that they will be able to see their friends and teachers (if they are physically returning to the classroom) and continue learning new things.
Approach this conversation with empathy, saying that you know she is feeling anxious about coronavirus, but that it’s healthy to talk about our worries and emotions. Children may also get upset or frustrated if they are finding it hard to wear masks, especially when running or playing. You can reassure your children that lots of adults are working hard to keep your family safe, but emphasize that it's important we all follow the recommended measures to take care of more vulnerable members of our community.
One of the best ways to keep children safe from COVID-19 and other diseases is to simply encourage regular hand washing. It doesn't need to be a scary conversation. Sing along with their favorite song or do a dance together to make learning fun. Make sure to teach them about how even though germs are invisible, they could still be there. When children understand why they need to wash their hands, they’re likely to continue doing so.
You can also show children how to cover a cough or a sneeze with their elbow, and ask them to tell you if they start to feel like they have a fever, cough, or difficulty breathing.
My child is not part of the same group as his close friends returning to school and is feeling even more isolated. How can he feel more connected to the classroom and his friends?
If your child’s school starts to return gradually, your child may be anxious about being separated from his friends. Continue to reassure your child that schools will open again for everyone once it’s safe. When the official reopening of schools is announced, help him get ready to return to school by sharing information on when and how this will happen.
Letting your kids know ahead of time that schools may need to close again will help them to be prepared for the period of adjustment ahead. It’s also important to continue to remind them that learning can happen anywhere – at school and at home – and that they can also keep in touch with and support their friends online in the meantime
Safe and monitored use of online games, social media, and video chat programs can provide great opportunities for children to learn, play, and connect with their friends and relatives while at home. You could also encourage your children to use their voices online to share their views and support those in need during this crisis.
You can encourage your children to take advantage of digital tools that get them up and moving, like online exercise videos for kids and video games that require physical movement. Remember to balance online recreation with offline activities, including time outside, if possible.
It’s important to be calm and proactive in your conversations with children. Check in with them to see how they are doing. Their emotions will change regularly, and you need to show them that’s okay.
Whether at school or at home, caregivers can engage children in creative activities, such as playing and drawing, to help them express and communicate any negative feelings they may be experiencing in a safe and supportive environment. This helps children find positive ways to express difficult feelings such as anger, fear, or sadness.
As children often take their emotional cues from the key adults in their lives – including parents and teachers – it is important that adults manage their own emotions well and remain calm, listen to children’s concerns, speak kindly, and reassure them.
In addition to checking in on your child’s physical health and learning when she goes back to school, you should also keep an eye out for signs of stress and anxiety. COVID-19 may be impacting your child’s mental health, and it’s important to demonstrate that it’s normal and okay to feel overwhelmed at times. When in doubt, empathy and support are the way to go.
There have also been concerns that incidents of stigmatization and bullying may increase when children return to school, due to some of the misinformation around COVID-19. You should explain that the virus has nothing to do with what someone looks like, where they are from, or what language they speak. If they have been called names or bullied at school, they should be encouraged to tell a trusted adult. Remind your children that everyone deserves to be safe at school and online. Bullying is always wrong, and we should each do our part to spread kindness and support each other.
If your child is worried about bullying either in person or online, it’s important to let them know that they are not alone and they can always talk to you or another trusted adult. The more you talk to your children about bullying, the more comfortable they will be telling you if they see or experience it. Check in with your children daily and ask about their time at school and their activities online, and also about their feelings. Some children may not express their emotions verbally, so you should also look out for any anxious or aggressive behavior that may indicate something is wrong.
You should also engage your children in open and honest conversations about how to stay safe online. Have an honest dialogue with your children about who they communicate with and how. Make sure they understand the value of kind and supportive interactions and that mean, discriminatory, or inappropriate contact is never acceptable. If your children experience any of these, encourage them to tell you or a trusted adult immediately. Be alert if you notice your child becoming withdrawn or upset, or using their device more or less than usual. It could be a sign that they are being bullied online. It’s also important to familiarize yourself with your child’s school’s safeguarding and bullying policies, as well as the appropriate referral mechanisms and helplines available.
With the new school year just around the corner, it’s time to start back-to-school prep. Shopping for new school supplies and clothes helps kids to start thinking about the return to the classroom, but that’s just the beginning. There are many more ways to prep kids for school year success so they can start the new school year with a fresh and ready mind.
The habits and routines that are implemented at home right now go a long way to helping students prepare not only for back-to-school success, but for success that lasts the whole school year—much longer than new pencils or running shoes will! Wondering how to help your child get a jump start on a great school year? Here are some ideas to prep the entire household for success in the 2018-2019 school year:
REINTRODUCE BEDTIMES AND WAKE-UP TIMES
Poor sleeping habits can have an impact on student performance, so the sooner you get your child on a regular sleep schedule, the better. Starting the school year will be easier for you and your child, and will help avoid morning—and evening—rushes.
MAKE SURE CHILDREN ARE READING AND WRITING A LITTLE EVERY DAY
Reading and writing helps get children’s minds working and helps keep their brains sharp. Getting back into the habit of reading and writing a bit each day will help maintain school skills like penmanship and vocabulary so your child can start the school year strong.
LIMIT SCREEN TIME DURING AFTER-SCHOOL HOURS
During the school year, after-school hours should be reserved for homework and extra-curricular activities. Start getting into this routine in the weeks leading up to school. The sooner kids turn off the TV and turn on their minds during this timeframe, the less of a hassle homework will be during the school year.
PLAY BOARD GAMES TO CHALLENGE THE MIND
Use TV-free time to play board games with kids during what will become the homework hour. This will help kids get into the habit of doing engaging their mind during this time, so when homework starts coming home again, they already have a routine in place.
GET AN ALARM CLOCK
An alarm clock can help children develop time management and organization skills they’ll need during the school year. This will help kids take ownership of their activities and help avoid rushed mornings.
BUY A FAMILY WALL CALENDAR TO HANG IN A VISIBLE LOCATION
A wall calendar makes a great organization tool. Have kids write down their commitments like soccer, dance class, birthday parties, etc. When school starts, use the calendar to note the due dates of big projects, standardized testing dates, and vacation days.
START HAVING KIDS SELECT THEIR CLOTHES THE NIGHT BEFORE
Picking out clothes is a great way for children to develop organizational habits. Having everything picked out and ready the day before also helps cut down on school-day morning rushes and last-minute scrambles.
BEGIN TALKING ABOUT RETURNING TO SCHOOL
Start counting down the days together. Preparation can help make the transition back to class much less stressful and difficult for students. Talking about the upcoming school year can help kids manage expectations, set goals, and prepare.
TAKE A TOUR OF YOUR CHILD’S NEW SCHOOL
If your child is starting at a new school, it can be intimidating. Getting to know the way around helps lessen school-related anxiety and boost confidence. Take a tour of the new school, find out teachers’ names, the location of classrooms, and where the bathrooms are located.
REVIEW LAST YEAR’S REPORT CARD(S)
Unless problems were addressed over the summer, it’s likely they may return again this year. Remind yourself of weak areas so you can make a plan to address problem areas early on.
BUY NEW SCHOOL SUPPLIES
Being prepared with the right supplies is an important part of performing well in school. New supplies also hold a certain magic for getting kids excited about hearing the school bell ring again.
A BETTER SCHOOL YEAR BEGINS RIGHT NOW!
Learning how to have a successful school year starts with the right preparation and a positive attitude. It’s never too early to start thinking about getting back into the school-year routine—getting started now will help make the back-to-school transition easier on both you and your child.
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