OT--Well...It's here?

[Ara]

Finally, Senior year has come.  The end of high school is in sight.  

Today was the second day, and it seems that this year will be pretty uneventful.  As far as classes go.  There's always the added on stress of picking a college and applying and worrying about whether or not I'll get in, but when I think about it, none of that matters.  The fact that I am now a senior, and I realize that I can see the light at the end of the tunnel.  I survived without killing myself, my mother killing me, or me hurting anyone else.

Wish me luck on a great year  

Peace and Love~
Ara

[Anonymous]

Good luck! (Though I'm sure you'll do just fine.)

Oh, and a little tip, the whole college app thing isn't nearly as hard as people (mainly your teachers and so-called guidance councelors) will tell you. Oh, and I sugest taking just the ACT. Don't waste your money on the SAT's unless a college you're interested in requires it. And despite what they will tell you on that, the ACT is not something you have to study much for. Sure, look over basic concepts and so forth, but the best thing you can do is keep yourself healthy, rested, and de-stressed.

I'll be a soph in college this fall, so, if there's anything you want to know, just ask.  

Brightest blessings!

[Ara]

Oh, and I sugest taking just the ACT.

I've taken the ACT twice.  The first time in Freshman year I got a 21, and Junior year I got a 24.

Peace and Love
Ara

[TheBriarRose]

It's my experience that US colleges East of the Mississippi River usually want ACT scores, but West colleges want the SAT.  I'd look at the colleges you want to go to, then take the tests they prefer.

Also, don't forget to fill out your FAFSA as soon as they are available for next year.  A FAFSA is the application for student aid, primarily governmental, but some schools use the results for their private aid, scholorships, grants, and fellowships, and such!

Congrats Senior!  My oldest is an entering highschool Freshman this year.  She's 6 foot 1 inches tall, drop dead gorgeous, and has been taught to introduce herself as "That's Ms. Felony to you"....as she isn't even 14 until next monday....

Gawd, but I'm feeling old.

[danae]

Best of luck to you Ara!

I took the ACT, SAT, and 3 different SAT II's (English/Writing, Math IIC, and Chemistry) back when I was a senior in high school.  I definitely found the ACT to be much easier!  But check with the schools that you will be applying to in order to see which they prefer.  Most schools will take either, in my experience, although the SAT is more 'popular' with students around here.  (Plus, I could never get the ACT people to tell me why 18 plus 18 equaled 35?   )

Fill out the FAFSA forms whether you think you should or not.  Even if you've had a college fund since you were a baby, fill them out.  You never know which obscure scholarship you may be eligible for, and hey, free money is always good, right?  

Here we have a website that allows you to enter college application information once, and it will put it into whichever application you want it to.  So instead of filling out a thousand applications, you can put all the information in only once.  I think Kaplan also had a CD out that did roughly the same thing.  But you had to buy that, and the website is free.  (At least in my case it is.)  You may have to write essays for each one - different prompts and all that - but it's definitely easier to enter your name, address, social security number, etc one time instead of many times.  Plus your applications are less likely to get messed up - spilled soda, crumpled, etc.  

BriarRose, I got that "I feel old" thing yesterday.  My baby brother went off for his freshman year of college.  Granted, I left home 10 years ago and all that, but he's still my baby brother!

Again, best of luck to you in your senior year!  Have fun!  Live large!  This is the last year of your high school experience.  Enjoy it!

[Anonymous]

I've taken the ACT twice.  The first time in Freshman year I got a 21, and Junior year I got a 24.
Ara

Ya, I took it once as a jr and again as a sr. Fun thing that.  

OH! FAFSA! Yes, the FAFSA!!! <waves arms around dramatically>

Oh, and I would also suggest looking around online, there's usually a list of local scholarships around somewhere. Be sure to check those out. (I've been bad about that, so don't make my mistake.)