Ninth grade is the beginning of your Upper School experience. College applications are a long way off, but there are some things you should be thinking about as you lay the foundation for a successful Lovett experience that will lead to a rewarding college application process.
Investing in Lovett
Ninth graders should look for ways to form a happy foundation for a great Lovett experience and take advantage of the wonderful opportunities available to you here.
One of Lovett's strengths is its faculty, so get to know your teachers. They can become mentors, advisors, advocates, and even friends. Don't be afraid to ask your teachers how to be successful in their classes.
You can also invest in your Lovett experience by getting involved in activities. Freshman year is a great time to try a lot of things and discover what you like, whether it's athletics, music, service, or clubs. Seek out leadership roles. If you find things to do that you like, you will look forward to school each day and your ability to succeed, even excel in academics and extracurricular life will come more naturally.
Academics
It's true--colleges do look at ninth grade curriculum and grades. They may not matter as much as grades later in high school, but they do count. Start now to cultivate the study habits that will help you be successful. If you are struggling in a class, seek out help from your advisor and teachers.
Though Lovett calculates your grade point average on a 100-point scale, the University of Georgia system (which includes UGA, Georgia Tech, Georgia State, Georgia Southern, etc.) and the HOPE scholarship calculate your grades on a 4.0 scale. They use the following system, looking at core academic courses only:
90 to 100 = A = 4.0
80 to 89 = B = 3.0
70 to 79 = C = 2.0
Add .5 for each AP courses; for example, a B in an AP course becomes a 3.5.
This means that there is a world of difference between an 89 and a 90. On this scale, a student with a host of grades in the upper 80s will have a much lower GPA than a student who has some 80s and some 90s. Why does this matter for you? If you find yourself teetering between a 79 and 80 or between an 89 and 90, it is worth the extra effort to get the slightly higher grade. The GPA you build in Grades 9 and 10 will not move that much during your last two years of high school, so get a strong start!
Testing
The SAT has been revised and updated. The new version was administered for the first time in March 2005 and includes three sections: critical reading, math, and writing. You can find out more on the College Board website: http://www.collegeboard.com/student/testing/newsat/about.html.
As a ninth grader, you don't need to do anything in the way of standardized testing or test prep. However, your future test scores will be higher if you start cultivating good habits now.
Read. Read for pleasure. Not only is it entertaining, it will make you a more interesting person. Plus, the more you read, the stronger your vocabulary and reading comprehension will become.
Write. The SAT now includes a 20-minute writing sample, so practice writing. Keep a journal, send letters to your grandmother, write emails to friends from camp, or write poetry--just practice putting words on paper. Never call yourself a poor writer. Tell yourself, "I want to improve my writing."
Summer
Think about summer activities. First, be a kid; take a break and set aside time to play. But also think about programs you would like to do in the summer: camp, sports, travel, volunteer, or enrichment programs. http://www.petersons.com/summerop/ is a great website resource for finding summer programs. The College Counseling Office has a filing cabinet full of summer program resources. Come by any time and take a look. Summer is the perfect time to invest in activities that you may build upon in your high school years.
And finally--While the formal college counseling program at Lovett begins in the junior year, the college counseling staff welcomes you to take advantage of programs we are offering this year. Check the Upcoming Events for that information.
We wish you well in the Upper School!