May 17, 2023
Dear Upper School Families,
The Class of 2023 has just finished up their classes, and are preparing to present their Senior Theses next week. If you see them in the hallway, wish them a huge congratulations on this milestone! The seniors are off to 21 different colleges and universities around the world - we are so proud.
For the rest of you, the end of the year is nearly here! I wanted to use this last College Counseling newsletter of the year to talk about summer activities for students, and looking ahead to next year.
Planning for Summer
While I hope that you are able to spend some time this summer resting and recharging, seeing friends and family, traveling, and getting some much-needed sunshine, if you are looking for some productive ideas to fill your free time (that might also provide some content for your college application essays!), here are some things to consider:
- Part-time jobs (can include babysitting or working at a summer camp)
- Internships or job shadowing in a career area of interest
- Volunteer or service work in your community
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Summer pre-college programs - see here for some great options
- College visits (you can even start locally if you are just getting started)
- Studying for standardized tests (SAT/ACT)
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Additional opportunities from Student Life
Don't worry, there is no need to plan out every moment of your summer vacation. But if college is on the horizon, this is a great opportunity to spend time enjoying an activity and participating in something that you are passionate about and that brings you joy!
A note on college visits - while the summer may be a quieter, slower time on most college campuses, it is still an extremely valuable opportunity to get a sense of the facilities, the surrounding area, and even just to see the physical campus. While there might not be the traditional hustle and bustle you would see during the school year, you can still get a sense of whether or not you like the campus.
Standardized Testing
The summer is a great time for upper school students to take a prep course or devote time to independent studying for standardized tests. While standardized testing remains optional at many colleges and universities, it is still advised to take the test at least once. These tests are available in June (SAT/ACT), July (ACT), August (SAT/ACT), and September (ACT). Visit the College Board and ACT websites for additional information and important deadlines.
For all upper school students - for more information about receiving accommodations on standardized tests (SAT, ACT, AP's, PSAT), please contact Mrs. DeVera as soon as possible.
Updates for Juniors
You are in the midst of visiting colleges and preparing for the start of your application process. You are narrowing down your college lists, and starting to think about topics for your personal essays. A few action items:
- Schedule a college meeting to update me on your progress
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Complete your teacher recommendation letter questionnaire (*this must be done by the end of the school year*)
- Sign up for an SAT/ACT this summer
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If interested, register for the College Application Boot Camp
Updates for Seniors
As you prepare to leave the halls of Oakcrest, I hope you take the opportunity to reflect on your time here, and appreciate the community - the friends you've made, the teachers you've learned from, the exciting and fun traditions.
- Final transcripts - After school ends and final grades are in, I will send your final transcript to the one college where you have enrolled. There is no need to request a transcript.
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This summer before college is a great time to apply for scholarships! You can visit scholarship search websites to find opportunities that might be a good fit. If you are in need of transcripts or recommendation letters, let me know as soon as possible.
I look forward to celebrating with the Class of 2023 in the coming weeks. Please let me know if you have any questions, or would like to schedule a college meeting. Good luck with the end of the school year - finish strong!
Best,
Jessica DeVera
Director of College Counseling
