From the desk of Celia Tucker, Academic College Counselor:

The Freshman College trip was a work out, educational, fun and rewarding, all in one 14-hour, almost nine miles of walking day. Whew. Fun facts from the trip include statements from our SMU and TCU tour guides:

“The Library is your friend.”
“Puppies, pancakes, and chocolate are all part of finals week.”
“Grades are first and foremost when reviewing a college application.”
“Grades and your GPA can help you pay for college.”
“You are seniors, aren’t you? I cannot believe you get to go on college trips as freshmen in high school.”
“This is one of the best behaved tour groups I have ever had.”
“Being curious, enjoying math and enjoying problem solving is what led me to be an engineering major.”

Freshmen have the ideal opportunity for giving themselves many choices when it comes to acceptances letters from colleges. Taking control of the transcript that they are building now and making it as outstanding as they possibly can will serve them well in the future. When they get ready to send their transcript to the colleges and universities of their choice during the summer of their junior year, we want them to be able to look at it and say, “Yes, my transcript is a true reflection of my ability.” We do not want them to say, “What was I thinking my freshman and sophomore years? I am so much smarter than my transcript makes me look.”

Here’s to planning ahead.