March Action Items & Important Info

Contact your counselor with questions after reviewing the information below.

STUDENT ACTION ITEMS:

Initiate a conversation with your parent/guardian(s) about your college process. Share with them what you are discovering.
Unsure of how to use SCOIR? Watch this short video (for students) or this video (for parent/guardian(s)).
Research colleges and update SCOIR by following schools that interest you (move ones that don't to "Not Interested."). Resources for researching colleges are on the Resources Page, under “Researching Colleges.” Take notes as you research colleges! This will be great practice for fall of senior year, when you are responsible for tracking application requirements and deadlines for each college you apply to.
Planning college visits? Read the first bullet point under “Important Information” below..
Continue developing your summer plan. Use this Resource for suggestions and guidance.
Brainstorm extracurriculars using our optional Activities Worksheet. This worksheet can generate questions for your college counselor or can be an opportunity for you to reflect. For instructions on how to fill out the worksheet, watch this brief video.

PARENT/GUARDIAN ACTION ITEMS:

If cost/affordability is a factor in your student's search, discuss this with your student (if you haven't already). For a deeper analysis of whether you might qualify for need-based institutional aid - and for how much - schedule your appointment with Paul Martin from College Money Method. Peruse College Money Method's many extensive tools on our Financial Aid Resources Page (password: lscmm).
NOTE: Families that miss a scheduled meeting with Paul Martin without rescheduling in advance will be billed the full consultation fee ($150). Lakeside financial aid will not be available to cover the fee for missed meetings.
If you're planning college visits, arrange travel, lodging, etc. Read below for more information.
Want to suggest colleges for your student in SCOIR? Watch this SCOIR video tutorial. We recommend having a conversation with your student regarding how many colleges they are ready to explore at that stage.
Be a "sounding board" for your student. When they share their college research and thoughts or as they explore summer opportunities, pose questions to help them dig deeper. Rather than sharing your opinions at this stage, help them develop their own.

IMPORTANT INFORMATION

If you’re planning upcoming visits, consider some of these resources:
- Read our Resources Page FAQs on “Visiting Colleges” to maximize your visit. Remember that you don't have to travel far or spend a lot of money. There are nearby colleges that you can visit to help you explore. As you arrange visits, include foundation schools. Your counselor can tell you which schools might be foundations. For further suggestions, read this Inside Lakeside article.
- Consider connecting with Lakeside alumni (this list is accessible only to students from their Lakeside accounts). While tours and information sessions are useful, they are designed to market the institutions, and you will get a more candid perspective from alumni currently in college. You might be able to locate an alum's email address from that college's online directory or find them on social media.
The college counselors strongly recommend that students wait until after junior year to interview, even if colleges are offering them now. Colleges often share that students rarely interview strongly at this early stage. Because colleges have differing interview policies, the student should review each school's interview policies on their website.

UPCOMING DATES AND DEADLINES:

March 11: School Day ACT

March 13: College Talk: New to College in the U.S., 8:30 - 9:45 am (Fireplace Room or Virtual)

March 14: Final deadline to register for Advanced Placement Exams (registration instructions on the Resources Page)

March 17: Parents & Guardians invited to schedule a meeting with their student's counselor

March 28: School Day SAT

March 31: Recommended date by which parent(s)/guardian(s) have discussed the role finances will play in the college process with their student, if applicable.

April 1 - May 31: Parent & Guardian meetings

April 3: Virtual College Talk on Athletic Recruiting, 7 - 8 pm

April 14 - 18: College counseling office closed for spring break

April 21 - 30: Students request teacher recommendations (instructions provided in April Action Items). Students may not make requests sooner.

April 28: Webinar, Understanding how colleges assess your financial situation and aid eligibility, 7-8:30 pm

May 7: Deadline for students to submit their highlights letter to the teachers who will be writing their recommendation letters

May 8: College Deans & Directors Program for Parents/Guardians, 6:30-9 pm

May 9: College Deans & Directors Program for Students (School Day)