Challenging curriculum builds a strong transcript.
Enroll in a challenging curriculum and achieve your best. This is the foundation year of your Barstow transcript.
Attend a college fair. All local fairs will be listed on the college counseling calendar.
Become involved in activities that showcase your skills and passions.
Attend the Upper School Club Fair in early fall. Colleges look for meaningful involvement in 2-3 extracurricular organizations, with a progression to a leadership position.
Complete service hours in an area of interest, while focusing on underserved populations. Hours start accumulating the summer prior to ninth grade.
Attend Information Night for Freshman and Parents held in the spring.
Maintain a portfolio and resume of all achievements, honors and leadership positions.
How to Conduct a Self Evaluation
A self evaluation can help you begin and refine your college search process. Identifying your personal values, goals, strengths and interests can guide you in your search for the right fit school. Consider these categories in your evaluation:
Goals and values
Academic interests
Abilities assessment
Activities inventory
Outside interests
Career awareness
Learning style
Strengths and weaknesses
Short-term & long-term goals
Relationships with others
Personality
Likes & dislikes
Testing Timeline
List of 4 items.
Freshman Year
No testing
Sophomore Year
PSAT & PreACT in fall
ACT in June
AP Exams when appropriate
Junior Year
PSAT for National Merit Scholarship Competition
ACT/SAT/TOEFL in fall, spring and/or summer
AP Exams when appropriate
Senior Year
ACT/SAT/TOEFL
AP Exams optional
Testing Information
A growing number of institutions are now test optional or test free. Our college counselors can discuss whether this is a suitable option for you.
In addition to robotics, theatre and debate signature programs, students will find a wide variety of clubs and organizations that align with their interests. These may include Knowledge Bowl, Cybersecurity Team, Agathon, B-Line Newspaper, Young Playwright’s Roundtable, Amnesty International, French Club, Pretenders, Weathercock Yearbook and many more.
Online and in-person summer enrichment programs are offered at many colleges and universities. They vary in content, length, deadlines, cost and dates. If there is a particular college of interest to you, check out their website to see what may be available on campus this summer.
The Certificate of Emphasis (COE) program gives highly motivated upper school students the opportunity to conduct advanced, hands-on student in an area of special interest. Students who complete the program’s three main components (rigorous coursework, mentorship by a professional in their field and a capstone project) receive a designation on their transcript.
Short-term work-based learning experiences allow students to observe a professional in their field of interest. Professional mentors can offer advice and expertise as a student considers a major and career path.
For Academic Accommodation
List of 1 members.
Jessica Chanos
Director of Social and Emotional Counseling Services & ID+E Co-Director
(816) 277-0372
Admission Factors
The college admission process varies with the type of school you consider. Many factors influence admission decisions, including:
Grade point average
Rigor of curriculum
Standardized tests (or test-optional)
Leadership experience
Letters of recommendation
Community service
Activities outside of the classroom
Application short answers & essay
Character
Reputation of high school
Major
Special talents, skills, interests
Diversity
Audition or art portfolio
Legacy
Engagement
Admission cycle
Cross-cultural experience
Special traits (entrepreneurship, research, global education)
Early action plans are nonbinding. Students receive an early response to their application but do not have to commit to the college until the normal reply date of May 1.
Applying SCEA indicates to a college that it is a student’s first-choice school. Student signs an agreement that they will file only one early application at a private institution.
The normal process by which students apply by published deadlines, with an admissions decision received no later than April 1 of their senior year. Students make their acceptance by May 1.
Schools evaluate applications as they are received versus waiting to evaluate all applications after a deadline. They process applications until they fill all slots for an incoming class.
College Campus Visits
As you visit college campuses across the country, it’s important to make the most of your time on each campus. Keep in mind that you don’t need to do all of these things on every campus, but remember, the student should take the lead on these visits. Here are some important tips.
Keys to a Successful Search
List of 8 items.
Be Organized
Timeline
Create a timeline and start early.
Fit
Consider academic, social and financial fit.
Balance
Build a balanced list.
Visit
Visit colleges early, in person or virtually.
Network
Network with college representatives.
Communicate
Be responsible with communication. Read & respond to email.
Options
Realize that more than one school might be right for you.