• Check out reliable websites to gather information about college admission deadlines and scholarships. Use a monthly plan book or calendar to fill in those dates. I would set my own deadlines based on my schedule. I noticed this reduced my stress and I was not procrastinating to finish my applications.
• Save your money. Look into scholarships (www.fastweb.com), loans, and FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid).

• Choose a major. What are you interested in? What do you see yourself doing later in life?
• In high school, I think it’s a wise decision for you to take courses that will help you with your college major, if you know it. Be open to new ideas. You might just like it! On a personal note, I took leadership training to practice and enhance my ability to commentate and lead effectively
• Narrow your college choices down. I used a 13-pocket folder to organize my colleges, placing one college in each pocket. This helped me to organize and easily find the colleges’ information. I would consider you looking into things such as size of the school, cost, class size, location of the campus, and living conditions. I personally would recommend you take a trip and visit the school(s) that you are planning to attend.
• Take your SAT and ACT tests. The earlier the better. Did you know you can take it as many times as you want? Apply at www.collegeboard.com.
• Maintain at least a 3.0 GPA or above throughout your high school career.
• Get those recommendations. Give your resume to the teachers, support staff, and counselors who are able to write you a strong letter of recommendation. I would suggest you give them at least a three week notice.
• Type out your resume. Don’t be lazy. Update your resume every year of your high school career. Your resume should include: your full legal name, current address, contact number, email, objective (i.e. “To get accepted into [name of college] with the help of your letter of recommendation.”), experience (e.g. community service, jobs, athletics, school clubs), education (i.e. all the schools you have attended until now), and awards and achievements.
• Work on a personal essay. I noticed that all of my college applications, scholarships, and teachers all required this element as part of the process. This is simply a one-page paper about yourself. Here are some things to include: goals, work ethics, extra curricular activities, and sports. This section is to express who you really are.
• Prepare lots of self-addressed envelopes with stamps. I did this, and it saved me lots of time. I also made labels on the computer.   

First, I would like to wish all of you a safe, exciting, positive, and healthy 2008 year! The prime months for a senior are beginning. The tips listed above are foolproof suggestions from my experience. I would take these suggestions and personalize them to fit your life. I started my hunt for colleges in the tenth grade by looking through books and magazines and attending events that featured college speakers. I would suggest you visit your college and career counselor early in your high school career.

During my junior year, I started to take my tests, such as the SAT. There are different types, such as the reasoning test, which is the one that most colleges require you take, and there is a subject test, which might be required for specific majors and or schools. The basic SAT is the reasoning test, which covers critical reading, math, and writing. In the test, there are multiple choice, short answer, and essay writing types of questions. According to the College Board website, the test is scored on a scale of 200-800 in each of the following: critical reading and math. The writing section is based on another scale. The ACT is another test that colleges accept. This test includes reading, math, science, writing, and English. The point scale is a lot smaller. The highest score that you can get is 36.

The SAT and ACT are two different test. The SAT has ten sections, while the ACT has four sections. The ACT includes science content. The SAT does not. The SAT has a penalty for wrong answers, however, the ACT has no penalty for wrong answers. Lastly, SAT scores are directly sent to the schools, while ACT scores are sent only upon the student’s request.

I hope this will help you on your quest to successful college planning. For more information, visit these websites www.collegeboard.com and www.actstudent.org.

It’s cool to see what those who came before us did and what they are doing now. Take a look! Here are their stories.

Tiffany Garrett

justin-carmichael-1.jpgI am a 2004 graduate from Kapolei High School. I am currently a senior at Hawai‘i Pacific University (HPU) and have stayed true with them. I am in the process of getting a Bachelor of Arts degree in Broadcast Journalism with a minor in Speech. During high school I was very involved with extra-curricular activities and continued my involvement in extra-curricular activities through college. I have had so many responsibilities throughout my years at HPU, but what I got out of it meant more to me then any title I could have had. See, being in college isn’t mainly about the grades or the field of study that you are in, but it’s about the people you have the opportunity to meet and become long-time friends with. HPU has so many students from all over the world.

I have so many great memories at HPU, like dancing Tahitian at the 2006 Intercultural Day, being able to celebrate 40 years of education for the university, going to senior sporting events and congratulating them on their achievement. But, the one memory that stood out the most was what a friend of mine told me. She was from Cannes, France and said that if I ever was in the neighborhood that I would always have a place to stay. The friends you make and the experiences you have during your years of college will stay with you forever.

Sheri Tateyama

I am a 2004 graduate of Kapolei High School’s first graduating class. I spent my first year of college at Seattle Pacific University and then transferred to Washington State University (WSU) in Pullman, WA. I am a senior and intend to graduate in May with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Business Administration with a focus in Management Information Systems. This is my second year as secretary of the Hui Hau’oli ‘O Hawai’i Club at WSU. I also have been working as a Cougar Connector (student ambassador) serving as the face of WSU for perspective students. I spend most of my free time playing soccer with friends and enjoying college sports. Life at WSU is an experience that I will never forget and will cherish forever. After graduation I plan to move back home to Hawaii to work and spend time with the people that I love.

Zachary Gaea

Class of 2005 President
I am a 2005 graduate of Kapolei High School. Following graduation I was blessed to be accepted on full scholarship to Hawaii Pacific University. I am currently in my junior year and expect to graduate in 2009 with a Bachelor’s Degree in Pre-Medical Studies. I have had a great experience so far at HPU, with the exceptional curriculum and participating in the school’s extra-curricular activities. I have actively been a part of the Pre-Med Society, Rotaract club, United Samoan Organization, Colleges against Cancer, and the Invisible Children Hawaii Organization. I have been fortunate enough to enjoy HPU’s student life while maintaining top priority on my education. Don’t get me wrong, though, not everything has been bread and butter for me. I have had my highs and lows, as will every college student, however, I believe that despite the difficulties of college, I have been able to persevere and enjoy my time here at HPU thanks to a large part to the foundation I developed at Kapolei High School. After I graduate from HPU, I plan on attending the John A. Burns School of Medicine at the University of Hawaii. After rigorous completion of medical school, internship and residency, I hope to stay here in Kapolei and, God willing, practice medicine and give back to the community that has given me so much.