Your final year of high school is the perfect time to really start investing in your future. From taking on internships to volunteering to even shadowing, there are many ways that you can learn more about yourself and what you want out of your future. All of these steps can help you understand more about what is out there and how you want to approach your future career. There is no right or wrong, and there certainly isn’t a linear path. You can start somewhere in university and end up in an entirely different field in university. Though there’s always time to pivot, using your high school (especially that final year) to learn more about yourself and the programs out there can make a big difference. Add these top tips, and you can also boost your application’s power and increase your chance of being accepted at your top program.
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Research Programs Now
There are many great programs out there, so start researching them now. It’s best to go in with a clear set of skills and knowledge outcomes in mind, so that you can find the right program. If a school doesn’t offer the exact program for you, get in touch with the course advisor to see if it’s possible to swap courses out for a program in a different field. You can major/minor in two subjects and really build a degree that fits you.
Start Strategizing
A great way to start strategizing is to understand the average GPA and SAT/ACT scores of students at your top university options. This often differs from the minimum admission requirements, especially if the university or program is popular. You can use this free University of Miami GPA calculator at CampusReel.org to help you understand the average admission standards and how likely you are to get in with your current grades. If you are just at the cusp or aren’t at the standard yet, don’t worry. Now is the time to start strategizing.
Strategize with a school counselor, your teachers, and your parents. If you have people who know what you want to do and what you need to get accepted, you’ll find more opportunities and support specifically for you available.
Add Extra Curricular Activities to Your Resume
There are so many benefits to adding to your resume extra-curricular activities. The best ones to get started with this year include:
· Volunteering
Some schools require volunteer hours before you graduate, and others don’t. Regardless, you should look into volunteering. Do this specifically in the subject you’re passionate about and are considering focusing on when you attend university. There are many options, so be specific. Not only will this volunteering help you with your college application, but it’ll also help with your internship and eventual job seeking.
· Work Experience
Work experience can help you save up and is a great way to showcase organization, responsibility, and other key skills that you can use toward your university application.
· Competitions
If you can, always enter competitions. They’re a fun way to showcase your skills and challenge yourself, even if you don’t win. If you do, however, that will look great on your university application.
· Clubs and After School Programs
All clubs and after-school programs will look great on your application as they show a commitment to your interests and let you stand out in unique ways. Try to take on more responsibility in your club for the best results.
