Read Time: 5 mins.
It’s no secret that the right high school can prepare you for not just college but a future career, too. However, you have to get accepted first before receiving top-tier education.
We’re mapping out some helpful tips to consider if you’re in the process of applying to a college prep school so you’ll be ready to embark on the experience–and hopefully get you accepted.
Tips for Getting Accepted Into A College Prep School
It’s essential to start taking steps to prepare months before applying to a college prep school, if possible. That way, you will have time to get everything together without feeling rushed. Then, you can put your best foot forward, increasing the likelihood of getting accepted. Start preparing now, starting with visiting the school.
Visit the School in Advance
While not always a requirement, it’s a good idea to visit the college prep school before applying. This accomplishes two things:
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You can find out if the school is a good fit for you during the visit. If it is, you’ll be even more excited about attending.
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It shows the school that you’ve done your homework and decided it’s the right choice for you. This illustrates that you’re likely to take your education seriously while immersing yourself in the culture of the college prep school.
Fine-tune Your Writing Skills
You will need to do some writing when applying for college preparatory school, so it’s a good idea to fine-tune those skills ahead of time.
First, familiarize yourself with grammar rules to ensure you don’t make costly mistakes on the application. Then, come up with topics to write about so you can practice.
You can even give your practice assignments to your parents, peers, or current teachers to check over for you. Then, you can use their feedback while continuing to practice. After a few practice rounds, you’ll be ready to tackle any writing assignments when applying.
Maintain Good Grades
You likely won’t need a 4.0 GPA to get into college prep school. However, there are academic standards in place that you must meet. This means the college prep school will review your transcripts to make sure you can handle the academic rigors of high school.
If you are currently falling behind, talk to your teachers about ways you can bring up your grade point average. Many teachers are willing to work with students interested in improving their academic performance.
Practice for the Interview
You’ll most likely have to undergo a short interview before getting accepted into a college-prep high school. Getting nervous during an interview is normal, especially if this will be your first one.
/Fortunately, you can settle your nerves and exude confidence by practicing with a parent or family member. The person you choose can come up with questions that you’ll answer. Make sure you don’t know the questions ahead of time to feel like a real interview. Practice this several times leading up to the official interview so you’ll be ready./
Gather Letters of Recommendation
College prep schools are highly competitive and want to fill classrooms with the best students. Thus, many require that students submit letters of recommendation before getting admitted.
Because school officials have a lot on their plates, you should reach out early to get the recommendations. This will give the school officials ample time to complete them before the deadline. Typically, you will need recommendations from your principal, english teacher and math teacher.
Build Your Resume With Extracurricular Activities
Due to the competitive nature of private college prep schools, it’s also helpful to pad your resume with extracurricular activities. These can be in various areas, such as performing arts, sports, and church groups.
While these activities won’t make or break your application, they can help you stand out. Plus, the school can provide guidance for continuing the activities once you’re accepted.
Make a List of Your Awards
Have you earned any awards? If so, make a list of them to include when applying to a private college prep school.
It’s a good idea to make a list ahead of time instead of trying to remember each one off the top of your head. You don’t want to leave anything out, so start working on this soon.
Support Your Community
You can also build your resume by supporting your community. You can demonstrate this through community service, serving at church, and so much more.
Remember, Catholic college prep schools like St. John Bosco believe in the value of service. Thus, this can help you get admitted. Then, you can continue to provide valuable service once you’re admitted to the school.
Take Your Time With the Application
This will be the first impression the school has of you, so you need to take your time and complete the application carefully.
Make sure that it does not contain any spelling or grammar errors and that you follow the instructions. A solid application will help you land the interview, so don’t rush the process.
The Final Say: Begin Preparing Today And Get Accepted
St. John Bosco Catholic High School is currently accepting applications for new students. First, visit our campus to learn more about our culture, expectations, and overall experience. Then, you can submit your application online.
After you apply, you will take the High School Placement Test, submit your recommendations, and undergo the interview. Then, we will make a final decision. In the meantime, make sure to keep these tips in mind to achieve the best-desired outcome.