This document provides information and advice for high school students preparing for and applying to college. It covers topics such as course selection, extracurricular activities, standardized testing, campus visits, financial aid, and application tips. The founder's background and credentials are also listed.

1. Get Prepped & Polished and
Ready for College!
Prepped & Polished, LLC
Wayland, MA 01778

2. About the Speaker:
Alexis Avila
Founder of Prepped & Polished, LLC: Tutoring,
College Counseling, Test Prep
Bachelors in Science from University of Michigan
Masters in Counseling Psychology from University of
Wisconsin
Certified Guidance Counselor Pre K-12
A full-time Private Tutor since 1999
Tutored and counseled over 500 Boston-area students
SAT, ACT, and GRE Test Prep tips featured in

3. What to do Freshman and
Sophomore Year
Take Challenging Courses
Join Clubs and
Extracurriculars
Volunteer
Plan Productive Summers
Take SAT Subject Tests

4. What to do Junior Year
Fill up holes in your portfolio
Take challenging courses and keep grades up
Come up with a school list
Take the SAT and AC
Visit Colleges

5. What to do Senior year
Do well in school still!
Re-take standardized tests
Write your essay before school starts
Apply early
Visit your guidance counselor weekly

6. How to choose a great school FOR
YOU:
Geographic Preference
Large or Small College?
Single Sex or Co-ed
Special Services?
Will it be academically challenging
Are your Grades and SAT/ACT scores good enough?
Does it match up well with your interests

7. Three Myths about Small Colleges
Myth 1
"I won't have enough alumni
connections"
Myth 2
"Small schools are less efficient"
Myth 3
"I'll have fewer opportunities at a small
school"

8. Consider a small college if ...
You crave a sense of community
Close relationships with faculty and professors
Small Class Sizes
Considering graduate school

9. Three Myths about Big Colleges
Myth 1.
Big Colleges don’t have small class sizes.
Myth 2.
Big Colleges have an out of control party scene.
Myth 3.
You won’t meet anyone at a Big College.

10. Consider a big college if ...
Crowds excite you. You typically reach out to find
friends.
Adept at learning in large lecture courses.
Wide Variety of majors and courses
Well-funded sports programs

11. 5 Things to do on a Campus Visit
Tip 1. Visit the college either in the Fall or Spring.
Tip 2. Spend the night in a Dormitory.
Tip 3. Eat a meal at the dining facility.
Tip 4. Take a Class in your academic area of interest.
Tip 5. Engage with other college students.

12. 6 Things that make a great college
portfolio
1. Have a well-written essay
2. Have extracurricular activities
3. Have Volunteer Experiences
4. Have Strong ACT or SAT scores
5. Have Solid Grades
6. Have strong letters of recommendation

13. Common Application: Keep in Mind
1. Make the common application your backbone to filling out
ALL college applications
2. If time is of the essence, pick an ADAPTABLE essay
3. Keep track of the common application supplementals =
more essays?
4. Do all of your schools accept the common application?
Check!
https://www.commonapp.org/CommonApp/Members.aspx

14. 3 College Application Insider Tips
1. Make the most out of your high school
experience.
2. Don't take the SAT more than 3 X.
3. Make sure your application is not
confusing.

15. Early Action vs. Early Decision
vs. Regular Decision
1. Regular Decision gives you more
time to complete and submit your
application.
2. Choose Early Action Schools non-
binding to get an answer faster
3. Have a dream school? Consider
Early Decision binding

16. Interview Techniques
1. Do your research
2. Be on Time
3. Dress Professionally
4. Be engaged and come armed with questions
5. Send a thank you note

17. Financial Aid Timeline
Fall Senior Year
Attend financial aid events
Talk to your counselor about College Scholarship
Services (CSS) Profile
Look for scholarships and merit aid
Winter Senior Year
Submit Free Application for Federal Student Aid
(FAFSA) starting January 1, (can submit CSS
Profile earlier)
Spring Senior Year
Compare your awards
Talk to financial aid officers

18. Helpful Financial Aid Sites
Fin Aid:
http://www.finaid.com
Fast Web:
http://www.fastweb.com
FAFSA:
www.fafsa.ed.gov
Pin Number Needed for FAFSA:
www.pin.ed.gov
CSS Profile:
https://profileonline.collegeboard.com/prf/index.jsp

19. ACT vs. SAT
ACT = A Candid Test because it has a more
straightforward format
The SAT is more coachable because you can
learn strategies to help overcome the guessing
penalty obstacle

20. ACT, SAT: The Gameplan
1. The earlier you take it the better. Start late
winter or early spring Junior year.
2. Take it multiple times because most
colleges offer score choice or will
superscore your best results.
3. Remember to give yourself time to study in
between tests.

21. SAT Subject Tests: The Inside
Scoop
1. Take the SAT Subject Tests to demonstrate subject
mastery and strengthen your college portfolio.
2. Take SAT Subject Tests at the end of 9th, 10th,
11th grade
3. Take a practice test for different subject tests to
determine which ones are best for you to take.

22. SAT/ACT Materials Must Buys:
1. SAT Official Study Guide by College Board
2. Official Guide for All SAT Subject Tests by
College Board
3. ACT Official Study Guide
4. Word Smart 1 and 2 by Princeton Review

23. Take home tips
1. Apply Early
2. Try to get SAT ACT testing
out of the way by May
3. Stay organized
4. Stay motivated for all four
years
5. Reach for the stars = apply to
dream colleges

24. If you have ANY questions ...
We are here to help you EVERY step of the way!
Prepped & Polished, LLC
Tutoring and Test Preparation
781-753-9951
info@preppedandpolished.com