Lyndon Institute Student Services Home Page
Planning tips for sophomores

In March...

Choose junior year courses wisely
If you plan to take any SAT II tests this spring, make sure you're registered


Choose junior year courses wisely

Make sure you're taking the right courses to be qualified for college admission. Talk with your high school counselor if you're not sure.
Take challenging courses. Research shows that challenging courses will help you do better in college (see the article in our news library, Challenging Courses are Good!).
Take a foreign language for at least two years, and preferably three or four. Take other challenging electives -- such as economics, psychology, statistics, communications, and computer science.
Many colleges view participation in the arts and music as valuable experiences that help broaden your education. The arts also help your intellectual development generally by "stretching" and "exercising" your brain.


If you plan to take any SAT II tests this spring, make sure you're registered

In February, we discussed when to take SAT II tests. (SAT II tests are tests in specific subjects. The PSAT and SAT are general aptitude tests.) Most students wait until their junior or senior year to take SAT IIs. However, for certain courses that you won't take again (at a higher level), you might want to take the SAT II test for that subject this spring, while the material is still fresh in your mind.
Visit the College Board Web site for test information and registration.
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Planning tips for juniors

In March, if you're a high school junior, you should:

Take college aptitude tests this spring.
You may also want to consider taking SAT II achievement tests, or SAT Advanced Placement (AP) tests.
Use the Web to get test dates, and registration details.
Learn about different kinds of schools beyond high school.



Plan to take college aptitude tests this spring (as well as next fall)

The SAT (also sometimes referred to as "SAT I") is a multiple-choice aptitude test designed to predict how well you'll do your first year in college. You'll probably take it twice -- in the spring of your junior year and the fall of your senior year.
The ACT is a multiple-choice achievement test. It's not as common in the East as the SAT. ACT questions are more concrete than those of the SAT.
Most colleges accept results of either the SAT or ACT. You may do better on one test than the other, so you may want to try both. Talk with your school counselor for more information on the differences between the tests.

Consider taking SAT II tests

The SAT II tests are sometimes called "subject" tests. While the PSAT and SAT test your general skills in English and math, the SAT II subject tests assess your knowledge of specific subjects -- such as chemistry, world history, foreign languages, and writing.
Many colleges will require you to take up to three SAT II tests -- usually one in math, one in writing, and one in another subject. Colleges use the scores to help determine if you're ready for college-level work, and perhaps to place you in the appropriate course-level when you enroll.
If you took a course such as biology or chemistry or world history in your junior year, and don't expect to take any more courses in that subject again, you might want to take the SAT II test in that subject at the end of your junior year. The material will still be fresh in your mind. You can "bank" the score and have it sent later to the colleges you apply to. If you think you can do better on the test by taking it again later, you can repeat it in your senior year.

Consider taking AP tests

SAT Advanced Placement (AP) tests are given for specific, college-level courses that your high school may offer.
If you score high enough on an AP test, a college may give you credit for the course.
Taking an AP course, and taking AP tests, shows a college that you're a serious student and that you can handle college work.
Take an AP test in your junior year if you've just completed an AP course.


For information on test dates and registration...

Visit the College Board Web site to learn more about the SAT II and AP tests, and for test dates and registration deadlines. For tests given in May, you typically need to register by late March. Talk with your school counselor for additional assistance.
Visit the American College Testing program to learn more about the ACT Assessment, and for test dates and registration deadlines.


Do you know the differences between schools?

College -- institution that offers courses beyond high school.
Community college -- two-year college generally without a specific campus or campus housing.
Graduate school -- a school that offers courses beyond a bachelor's degree.
Military academies -- schools that combine college courses and military training
Technical college or institute -- school that specializes in technical subjects; may offer one-year, two-year, four-year, or even graduate courses of study.
Trade school -- a school, often for-profit, that offers training in a specific trade or craft.
University -- a comprehensive school that offers both undergraduate (first four years of schooling) and graduate courses.


Planning tips for high school seniors

In March, if you’re a high school senior, you should:

Receive your Student Aid Report (SAR) and VSAC acknowledgment letter.
Receive information request(s) from colleges and VSAC.
Complete scholarship applications.
Prepare for college decision letters.
Tax Tips

Completing your tax return? Click for tips if you have student loans or are eligible for federal education tax credits.
SAT and ACT Test Dates

You can find the date of the next tests, and registration deadlines, by visiting these sites: College Board for the SAT and American College Testing for the ACT.


Student Aid Report and VSAC Acknowledgment Letter

If you filed your financial aid forms in January or February, you should receive your Student Aid Report (SAR) from the Federal Student Aid Programs no later than March.

Review the SAR to make sure the information is correct.
Follow instructions on the form if you need to make corrections.

You should also receive an acknowledgment letter from VSAC confirming receipt of your VSAC grant application.

If you haven’t filed your financial aid forms, do it now! Go to our online financial aid applications section to complete the forms electronically. Go to the Paying for College section of our Web site for general information about financial aid.


Information Requests

You may receive request(s) from colleges and VSAC for additional information about your family’s financial circumstances.

Answer the requests quickly and accurately.

Make copies for your files of all correspondence.


Scholarships

Scholarships (like grants) are gifts of money for education expenses and need not be repaid. (Loans, on the other hand, must be repaid.)

If you’re seeking scholarships for the next school year, make sure to meet all deadlines for applications and supporting materials (such as letters of recommendation and transcripts).
Remember that even if you’re successful in receiving scholarships, they rarely cover an entire college bill. But they can be an important resource for many students.
Make sure you understand how scholarships could affect other aid from your college. You will have to report scholarship awards to your college’s financial aid office. Your aid package could change based on the scholarships you receive.
General information about scholarships, including scholarships administered by VSAC, can be found on our Web site in the Paying for College section.
 

Vermont Student Assistance Corporation

www.vsac.org
 

VSAC's Outreach Programs provide middle school students, high school students, and adults with information on career awareness and development, college planning, college selection, and financial aid.

The mission of the public school programs is to increase students; self-awareness and career - and education-related decision-making skills during a time of change and transition on their personal lives.  Both Talent Search and GEAR UP offer a continuum of activities, information, and services to students and their parents that encourage less-advantaged but motivated students to realize their potential for education and growth beyond high school.

Students are referred by their school guidance counselor based on specific critirea:

Talent Search -two thirds of the students served must meet federally mandated income eligibility guidelines and have parents who are not four-year college graduates.  Students must have the desire to pursue a postsecondary program of study at a college, or at a technical or trade school.

The outreach counselors are very nice and are always willing to help and student when something is troubling them.  It is a great program to get into and it is so helpful.