To Freshmen:

KatieZinna

Right now, college may seem like a distant, far-off problem that honestly doesn’t even seem like worrying about. Although you don’t have to deal with college applications or personal essays yet, there are a couple of things you should be doing to get ahead of your college process. 

The most important thing you can do is start now. It’s better to be over-prepared than under-prepared, especially when it comes to the college process. Start looking at colleges you might be interested in, start planning out visit days to these schools, and start thinking about what you want your future to look like career-wise. You don’t have to know everything yet, but it’s important to start researching colleges and figuring out what you like and don’t like about each; it will help you in the long run.

Another thing you can do is be involved. Colleges love seeing people who are involved both inside and outside of their school community. Whether that’s joining a school club, volunteering at an organization you are passionate about or applying for leadership positions throughout Marian, there are a multitude of opportunities available for you—you just have to be willing to put yourself out there and try.

Finally (and most importantly), keep going. High school can be difficult, especially with Marian’s vigorous curriculum, but don’t give up. Study for your tests, do your homework on time and keep your grades up. You don’t need to have straight A’s (although you should definitely aim for that), you just need to give it your all and try again when you fail. Colleges love to see that. They understand that not everyone is a straight-A student, but as long as you are challenging yourself and giving your best you will be rewarded for your hard work.

To Sophomores:

RowanHamm

With freshman year behind you and two more years to go, college may seem like a world away. Although you still have lots of time to think about your future and discover your passions, your high school years go by fast.

This year you should focus on three major goals to help prepare you for the college admissions process. 

First, maintain strong academics and don’t be afraid to reach out to teachers if you need help in their class. Push yourself to try more advanced classes and find topics that speak to you. Learning about what topics and classes interest you is a huge step in thinking about potential majors.

Second, get involved in extracurriculars that you are passionate about. Even though you may think they are a waste of time or boring, what’s worse than spending an extra hour at school participating in a fun club is sitting in front of your computer, college application on screen, with the sinking realization you didn’t do anything during high school. Getting involved is great but to go the extra mile, take on leadership roles in the activities you are most passionate about. 

Third, start looking into colleges. This doesn’t mean you need to create a list or tour a university, this could mean finding out what size, programs or religious affiliation (or lack thereof) you’re looking for in a university. Reach out to schools with questions. Getting to know your admissions counselor and showing interest early in your high school career helps you to create a relationship with the school. 

The main goals of sophomore year are to keep up the good work, participate in activities to find your niche and start looking at colleges that interest you. Having that knowledge now can ease the pressure you’ll face when senior year becomes a reality rather than a far-off thought.

To Juniors:

IzzyCampie

Junior year is a crucial period as you begin preparing for college applications. One of the most important areas to focus on is academics. Make sure to challenge yourself with a rigorous course load that reflects your abilities and interests, but also prioritize maintaining a strong GPA. Balance is key—pushing yourself in difficult classes can demonstrate your commitment, but staying organized and seeking help in areas where you may struggle is also important. Strong grades will not only improve your chances of acceptance but also open doors to scholarships and honors programs.

In addition to academics, it’s essential to start visiting colleges early. Begin exploring different types of schools, from large public colleges to smaller private ones, to figure out which environment aligns with your personal and academic goals. Consider factors like location, campus culture, academic programs, and extracurricular opportunities. This process can be exciting and eye-opening. Visiting campuses, attending college fairs and talking to current students or alumni can give you a sense of where you might fit best. By starting your research early, you’ll be more confident and prepared when it’s time to finalize your list of schools and submit applications.

Lastly, prepare for standardized tests ahead of time. Taking SAT or ACT preparation courses in the fall can help you feel more confident and improve your score when you take the test in the spring. Junior year is the ideal time to take your first SAT or ACT, giving yourself enough time to retake them if needed. Preparation for standardized tests, along with your academic performance and college research, will make the entire college application process feel more manageable and less stressful when senior year arrives.

To Seniors:

CoventryThompson

For most seniors, there is hardly a word that is more anxiety-inducing than the word “college.” How does one figure out what college is the right fit? What application steps should be done already? How do you make sense of the thousands of scholarships out there? These are all burning questions that weigh on the minds of seniors. College can be scary, as it comes with many uncertainties, but it does not have to be intimidating.

Finding the exact right fit for college does not have to happen immediately. If you have not found your dream school yet, you should create a shortlist consisting of a few colleges that are excellent fits for you. Look deeply into these schools, visit the campuses and learn about student life there. It’s okay to apply to several schools, but make sure to know your top choices.

What college application steps should be done already depends on what deadlines you need to meet. If your college deadline is upcoming, you should have your resume up-to-date, nearly completed personal statements and requests for letters of recommendation for that specific school. 

Scholarships are another topic that often induces anxiety in seniors. Thousands of scholarships are available that require various amounts of outside-of-school work to apply. The most trustworthy scholarships can be found in College Counselor Mr. Ben Ascher’s weekly college emails. Bold.org and GoingMerry.com are two trustworthy scholarship websites that host thousands of scholarships; many require only a short personal statement or are essay-free. If you find a scholarship that you think may be a scam, it is a good idea to ask Ascher to verify it.