Students shine in 2nd year college class. Mrs. Hill teaches 4 students in Linear Algebra—the level beyond BC Calculus.

A College Prep Timeline

Getting in to the most competitive schools is a difficult and sometimes daunting proposition. A number of factors, including luck, go in to it. One thing is certain, though. It is a four year process. A good junior year or a dazzling seventh semester won't necessarily make up for other weaknesses. The larger institutions tend to compute career GPA's. If you have what they want, fine. But if that "D" in the freshman year pulls down your GPA, c'est la vie. The most important part of your application will be your transcript: what classes did you take and how did you do in them. Here are some suggestions about how to build your record over your high school years. Colleges like to see commitment, leadership, and passion. Are you developing those qualities?

All Grades

Curriculum Take the most demanding course load that is appropriate for your ability. Look ahead and put yourself in a good position to take advanced courses in the upper levels. At the upper levels take honors or AP classes in the core courses. Make school your job; it should be your first priority.



Extra-curriculars Get involved in activities you care about. To some extent, all interests and talents are equal. Pursue a few interests and do them well. Concentrating on a few things done well is better than the shotgun approach. Develop your leadership skills early on. Make your corner of the world different and better because you've been there.



Community service/involvement Doing something in the community is a good idea. Community service "per se" may or may not be important on the application; however, it can't hurt and the experience is usually beneficial without regard to pay-off. Do things that interest you; don't simply try to pad an application.



Summers Beginning with the summer after freshman year, try to make productive use of your time. Yes, do take some "down time." A couple of weeks of R and R are most appropriate. Beyond that, though, be productive - and that can mean many things. A job, travel, volunteer work, camps, academic classes are all worthwhile. With the possible exception of finding a job because you need the money, try to do things that interest you. If you do something because you think it will look good, you'll probably end up hurting yourself and wasting your time.



Standardized Tests


9th Grade CDS students are expected to take the PSAT in October. This is for practice only, although it is used for course placement at CDS. Students might consider taking SAT II’s at the end of freshman year. For CDS students, that might mean biology or math. Another likely choice for many students would be world history. In all cases, exercise your right of score ownership and block the scores.



10th Grade CDS students are expected to take the PSAT in October. Once again it is used for internal purposes only. SAT II's at year's end for CDS students might include world history, chemistry, and math. Some students might be ready for an SAT II in foreign language. Most CDS students will not be taking AP classes in the 10th grade; students at other schools might, and of course they should take the exam at the end of the course. There is no real need to take an SAT I yet.



11th Grade CDS students are expected to take the PSAT in October. This time it counts. Juniors should take the SAT I twice. It doesn't really matter when, but a December or January test date for the first one, and a May or June test date for the second one make a good schedule. Many juniors will be taking AP classes. These students should give serious thought to taking SAT II's in May and their second SAT I in June. The reason is that students will be studying for the AP exam in May anyway. Using the Saturday before AP's begin for a subject area test might be good preparation for the AP exam. Also, it might be difficult for a student to "get up" for a subject test in June when AP course work and tests are over. Early decision candidates must be attentive to end of year test dates. They must make sure they take SAT II's in the spring of junior year.

Link to SAT

Link to ACT


12th Grade Take theSAT Iin October unless you've already taken it 3 times or have broken 1500. Use December and January for SAT II and/or another SAT I. Obviously admission deadlines are important here, but for many colleges, the January test date will still work.