Get Organized! The Creative Kid High School Checklist for College Applications
With continued anxiety about “who gets in and why,” we believe that being organized not only helps the student to present the strongest view of themselves but also relieves the fear of missing an important piece of the puzzle that is a completed application. With that in mind, we have created this checklist of items that we think high school students should address as they move towards completing their path to college.
10th Grade
Coursework and GPA: check-in regarding course selections.
Work on involvement in your community via volunteerism and extracurricular activities.
Confirm summer plans.
Attend performances/exhibitions. Write down what inspires you and keep a “digital diary” with images, names, and your thoughts on their work. Research professionals whose work you admire. Note what you like and what you dislike.
Start your resume and plan to add to it as you have new experiences to record. Highlight your artistic achievements, education, exhibitions, awards, and relevant experiences.
Begin to think about your mission for college.
11th Grade
Maintain grades.
Continue deepening involvement in extracurricular activities.
Begin your research with the goal of having a final list of colleges by June. Consider factors such as faculty expertise, program curriculum, facilities, location, and student work.
PSAT/NMSQT—generally administered fall of junior year.
Decide if you will take the SAT or ACT. This decision may be made based on requirements set by specific colleges. We recommend taking a test at least once in the spring of the junior year. We will then decide if taking it a second time makes sense, given the colleges on your list. Some schools no longer require or accept standardized test scores. For more details, see fairtest.org.
Ask for letters of recommendation from teachers, mentors, or professionals who can attest to your artistic abilities and work ethic. Make sure to get at least two academic and one “other” recommender. Let them know why you are asking them. Provide recommenders with necessary information about the programs and schools you're applying to, along with deadlines.
Schedule virtual or in-person school tours. Do your homework and use our Google document to help you prepare for your tours.
Confirm summer plans. A summer pre-college program before senior year can positively impact your portfolio or auditions.
Discuss course selection.
Think about getting feedback on your portfolio via https://aicad.slideroom.com/ and https://nationalportfolioday.org/
12th Grade
Finalize college list after summer programs.
Note down the application deadlines for each school you're interested in. Be mindful of special deadlines for programs with auditions or portfolios. The stated deadlines may not apply to your major so be informed, especially when you are submitting prescreens or uploading portfolios via an applicant portal.
Make sure to find out what documents your school counselor needs and by what deadline to make sure your transcripts and letters of recommendation are submitted on time. This varies from school to school.
Open your Common App the summer before senior year.
Open the UC application on August 1.
Update your resume.
If required by a particular school, make sure that you submit your test scores.
Decide about at least one early application - either ED or EA.
Remember, each college may have specific requirements, so it's essential to carefully review the instructions provided by each institution.
Attend presentations by college reps at your high school. Maintain a relationship with your assigned college rep for your top choice schools.
Finalize your portfolio or audition materials.
Prepare for any interviews or auditions required as part of the application process.
Once applications are submitted, you must activate your applicant portal and continue to confirm that everything has been submitted.