004. Rising Seniors… Start Your Engines for College Application Season

The past couple of weeks have surely changed how the end of this semester looks, but it hasn’t changed this fact: preparation is key. Work with your teenager to go through these 6 steps to prepare for the upcoming season of college applications. Rising seniors, it’s time to start your engines!

Rising Seniors… Start Your Engines for College Application Season!

Preparation can be boring. Adrenaline does not pump during practice or prep, but this preparation is necessary to win the actual race. In this episode, I’ll give you the 6 steps to start that college engine, helping you prepare your rising senior as they begin their path to college.

1. 1. Allowing and honoring your student’s feelings
   2. Scheduling SAT or ACT test prep
   3. Visiting colleges (even if a time like this when campuses are shut down)
   4. Getting ahead on essay writing so they don’t run into writer’s block
   5. Building a resume using the framework college applications use
   6. Finding a friend to support them through this life transition

Listen to the episode here.

For the blog version of this episode, click here. 

[03:37] Rising seniors, start your engines!

[03:57] The transitions and emotions that come with college applications

[06:49] What you’ll encounter during this season.

[08:09] Step 1: Allow an honor your student’s feelings

[09:09] Step 2: Prep before the prep

[10:06] Asking your teen to prepare for test prep

[11:09] When to take tests (ACT, SAT)

[13:59] Step 3: Visit colleges

[15:04] Why it’s important to visit college campuses

[18:17] Step 4: Keep a journal and start writing those essays

[19:40] Step 5: Build a resume using the college application framework

[23:19] Step 6: Find a friend to support your student

Self-Accepted Homework

Parents, here is your homework!

1. 1. Talk with your teenager about their stress levels, hopes, and dreams.
   2. Create a testing schedule that works for your student and family’s schedule.
   3. Go on weekly virtual campus tours while many campuses are still closed.
   4. Subscribe to our Insider’s List to stay in the loop with college admission news, events, and strategies. 

Related Articles, Resources, & Content

• • More information about the Birkman Assessment.
  • Register for the FREE Junior Jumpstart Seminar on May 13, 2020 at 6:30pm CST. 
  • Enroll in our Summer Essay Bootcamps or Application Workshops.
  • There are several resources to go on virtual campus tours (and they have only expanded due to COVID-19)! The best virtual tours and info sessions are live, not pre-recorded, so visit the university’s admission and prospective student website to register.
    • Here is a (not so beautiful, but very helpful) Searchable Google Spreadsheet with direct links to colleges’ virtual tours and information sessions. This is a working document- colleges are adding to it daily.
    • CampusTours.com – a free resource to quickly see a college’s statistics and where to find a virtual tour
    • YouVisit.com – narrated video footage of campuses
    • Google the college you’re looking to visit and select “virtual tour” (e.g. Harvard virtual tour)

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