College Admissions & Planning
Yavneh Academy enjoys a stellar reputation for assisting its graduates in the post-secondary programs of their choice. These programs include the finest yeshivot and seminaries in Israel, and colleges and universities across the United States.
COLLEGE ADMISSIONS
Instead of trying to place students in the “best” or “most prestigious” school, Yavneh’s goal is for its graduates to attend colleges and universities that afford them the opportunity to excel and obtain a superior education in the field of their choice, while offering the social, cultural, and religious environment necessary to their personal growth and happiness.
Preparing to apply for college is a four-year process that begins in the ninth grade and continues throughout high school. Yavneh Academy helps students and their families navigate the college admissions process by helping students:
- Understand and work through the process
- Design an academic program beginning in the ninth grade
- Prepare for standardized tests like the SAT or ACT
- Determine which colleges and universities offer the environment, culture, and programming they seek
- Complete the application process
For additional information, click on a topic below.
College Planning Timeline
The SAT and ACT
The College Essay
The College Interview
The College Resume
Common College Admissions Term
COLLEGE PLANNING TIMELINE
Preparing to apply for college begins in the ninth grade and continues through graduation. To see a timeline for each grade level, click on a link below.
9th Grade
10th Grade
11th Grade
12th Grade
- Sign up for strong classes and make studying your number-one priority.
- Work up to your potential—the grades you earn become part of your Grade Point Average (GPA).
- Participate in extra-curricular activities.
- Begin to work on your chesed hours requirement for graduation.
- Make your summer meaningful. Consider summer school, a part-time job, volunteer work, or other enrichment opportunities.
- Sign up for strong courses for 10th grade. Do you need to go to summer school?
- When on vacation, drive through and walk around college campuses just to get the feel of different types of schools.
- Take the PSAT and PLAN
- Take strong courses and continue to work to your full potential.
- Be a self-advocate, attend tutorials, and do not let yourself fall behind in your classes. Meet with teachers when needed to review course work, tests, and other academic work to “learn from your performance.”
- Begin to consider the various types of colleges available and the types of programs they offer.
- Take the PSAT and the PLAN. You do not need to take a preparatory course for these tests in the sophomore year.
- Use the results of these tests determine strengths and weaknesses.
- Begin to visit colleges informally whenever you are near one during a family vacation or trip.
- Make your summer meaningful. Summer experiences are invaluable for personal growth and add depth to a resume.
- Be your own best advocate.
- Work on your chesed hours. Many colleges and scholarship applications focus on community service.
- Study! Study! Study!
- Focus firmly on grades. This is the last year to acquire a strong GPA for college admissions applications next fall.
- If your 10th grade PSAT test scores show potential for National Merit consideration, consider taking a PSAT prep course.
- Talk to college representatives and begin to establish contact with various schools of interest to you.
- Talk with college representatives when they visit the school. They can eventually be your “best friends” at the college admission selection table when applications are reviewed.
- Attend college information sessions throughout the metroplex.
- Take the PSAT in October. National Merit Scholarship Competition is determined from the 11th-grade PSAT.
- Use your 11th grade PSAT as a baseline score from which to prep for next spring’s SATs and ACTs.
- Consider an SAT/ACT prep course after receiving PSAT scores in December. PSAT scores can be used as SAT predictors within approximate ranges. They can also indicate areas of strength or weakness that students can work on before taking the first SAT or ACT in the spring of the junior year. You can retest in the fall of the senior year.
- Check with your counselor for additional application forms if you regularly use and will need special testing accommodations.
- Take the SAT Subject Tests at the end of your junior year if appropriate based on your future college plans.
- Continue to work on your chesed hours. Consider running for leadership positions during your senior year.
- Get on the internet and investigate college websites.
- Visit college campuses. Begin to narrow choices.
- Make your summer meaningful. Consider internships, enrichment programs on college campuses, work experiences, travel to Israel, etc.
- Begin to develop your resume.
- Complete the junior project & resume.
- Sign up again for the SAT, ACT, or SAT Subject Tests if necessary. Continue test prep if appropriate.
- Make plans to visit college campuses of interest to you.
- Attend the senior group meeting with the counselor for admission tips and to review the college application process.
- Become aware of application deadlines. Meet with your counselor to finalize college application choices.
- Follow application directions for each college and mail in or electronically submit all applications on time.
- Check on the financial aid and scholarship process at the colleges you are considering. Meet application deadlines.
- Finish the senior year strong. College admission is based on “successful completion of high school.”
- Enjoy your senior year! You’ve earned it!
