With the first wave of college applications sent out the door, seniors have a bit more dwelling time to breathe, well at least until acceptances come through the door, prom comes around, or AP testing hits.  Reflecting on all the mayhem, there are many things that, as seniors, we wished we had known before we embarked on the arduous college application journey or even before we began senior year. So here some advice from one Mission student to another, covet it, embrace it, it will bring you good. 

ACADAMIA:

First and foremost, we would like to give a round of applause to MSJ SENIOR’s new relationship status: “No longer in a relationship with COLLEGEBOARD” </3 Jokes aside, one valuable piece of advice regarding SATS (or the now growing rival ACT) is that don’t wait until your senior year months to take them. Sorry to burst anyone’s bubble, but senior year is no easier or “chiller” than junior year, if anything it’s a lot tougher. With college apps, letter of recommendations, demanding classes, and overshadowing parents, time is of the essence and rare. As a matter of fact, late sophomore year wouldn’t be a bad time to get acquainted with the “Blue Bible” and start prepping to take your first shot at the grueling four hour test. Test Prep Centers, like ELITE and EXCEL are popular among MSJ students, and also have the best reviews.

On the topic of SATS, let us not forget its precursor, the PSAT. While some of you may think this “Practice”-SAT is just that, a misnomer—as former Juniors we would beg to disagree. Doing well on PSAT can eventually lead to many awards in the form of major scholarship rewards and the always happy parents. Imagine life without the “paying for college tuition” card always being played out at the cash register. 

Although most of the hype on junior year is placed on SATs, don’t be quick in forgetting about your significantly more important grades. Junior year is an essential part of your college application, a year heavily weighted on the number of AP and weighted classes you take, and your performance in them. Neglecting these classes, can often lead to detrimental holes in your report card that at times not even a 2200+ SAT score may cover up. We don’t mean to undermine the notorious test, just don’t disregard your GPA while you’re at it. Many of you have already from time to time pulled out your handy dandy calculator to calculate your current GPA, weighted and unweighted. However, many of us disregard freshmen year grades, which for privates, contrary to popular belief, are taken into account. As for attaining a high weighted GPA, it is important to understand that a greater number of Weighted classes (classes with an extra GPA point) are not necessarily going to lead you to a greater GPA. At max, four weighted classes is the optimal course load, especially if it includes one of MSJ’s notorious tough courses like AP Chemistry or AP Physics, dare I say both. Needless to say, no matter how much you may have all loved or disliked Fendell or Ricks, these classes, for most us, are a walk in the park. So, don’t take anything for granted. 

Lastly, its cut-through competitive world out there. As a high-schooler, at least as an upperclassman, don’t take your summers for granted. While we are not telling you to disregard all fun and games, do look into over-broad? Community service opportunities, internships at research centers or institutions, as well as programs offered by many privates and UCs in fields you may enjoy. 

SOCIAL Branching 

Rewind to junior high lunch time. Remember the “super cool” clique you had, whom you giggled and underwent all your changes of life with? Well fast forward to noon at MSJ, and don’t be surprised if the friends you were eating lunch with in junior high aren’t exactly the ones you are going out to lunch with now. Social bubbles change, people change, things happen. It’s a part of life. It’s normal. No need to mourn in drama or sink into depression. Things happen for the best, and that’s not just a cliché. You never know, who might be knocking on your doorstep unless you take the courage to open the door. Immerse yourself, results will vary.