The following is meant to be a general timeline. A student’s own experiences will determine their readiness as well as an appropriate timeline to reach their postsecondary goals. Junior year is an especially important and busy year. You will have the opportunity to meet a number of college representatives who visit in the fall, practice for the ACT, and potentially qualify for the NMSQT (National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test) by taking the PSAT. You and your parents will explore your future plans in more detail by meeting with your school counselor at your junior conference. 

Junior Year

AUGUST 

• Set your academic goals for the year, in order to continue to improve your academic record and make significant contributions to extracurricular activities. 

• Begin the college selection process

SEPTEMBER 

• Check Xello & the Park College & Scholarship google classroom for visit dates from college/technical school representatives.  Come prepared with questions. 

• Register to take AP exams if taking a corresponding AP course (add your class join codes)

OCTOBER 

• Attend virtual college fairs

• Take the PSAT/NMSQT in October to be eligible for the National Merit Scholarship competition and as practice for college entrance exams

NOVEMBER 

• Continue to strengthen standardized testing skills by utilizing Khan Academy. 

• Research the GPA/SAT/ACT scores necessary for admission to some potential colleges by utilizing the college search tool in Xello. 

DECEMBER 

• Register for any spring SAT and/or ACT Tests you plan to take. Aim to take an SAT and/or ACT at least once by the end of your junior year. Remember that senior year offers you opportunities to test again, but be aware of deadlines for college applications. 

• Schedule/attend your junior conference with your counselor along with your parents/guardians. These meetings typically are scheduled starting 2nd quarter.

JANUARY 

• Keep updating your resume in Xello. 

• Review your PSAT results and continue using Khan Academy to prepare for the SAT & ACT. 

• Plan your course selections for senior year by meeting with teachers and counselors to determine appropriate placement and assure fulfillment of graduation requirements. 

• Schedule/attend your junior conference with your counselor along with your parents/guardians. 

FEBRUARY 

• Schedule/Attend your junior conference with your counselor along with your parents/guardians. 

• Senior course selection begins! Engage in conversations with your teachers, counselors and parents for recommendations, considering your postsecondary goals.  

• Take advantage of dual credit courses such a Start College Now, Early College Credit, transcript credit & PACC classes

MARCH 

• Use Xello to research academic required/recommended courses for college acceptance 

• Think about which teachers you might ask to write your letters of recommendation for college admissions 

• Continue to refine your potential college interest list & use any scheduled breaks to visit colleges. Add colleges you are seriously considering to your saved college list in Xello 

• Take the statewide ACT - try your best! This is a exam score you can send to colleges!

• Schedule/attend your junior conference with your counselor along with your parents/guardians. 

APRIL 

• Plan to retake your ACT if necessary

• Assess where you stand in your courses & get academic help where necessary. 11th grade is the last chance you have to affect your GPA and the last set of grades recorded onto your transcript before you apply to colleges in the fall! 

MAY 

• Take AP Exam(s) if enrolled in corresponding AP courses & registered back in September

• Take the SAT Subject Test(s) if a college/program you are considering requires them 

• If you are considering playing a sport at the collegiate level, you need to register with the NCAA Eligibility Center. NCAA Eligibility 

• Approach teachers/counselors to personally request a letter of recommendation

JUNE 

• Prepare and Study for final exams. This is the last chance you have to impact your final grade and thus, your cumulative GPA. 

Summer 

• Format your resume for college & scholarship applications. Make sure it is up-to-date and highlights specific activities you are passionate about or have spent significant time on. 

• Research college essay prompts on Common Application and/or college web pages. 

Senior Year

Fall 

• Participate in college application workshop put on by the counseling dept.

• Continue to add schools to your Xello account so we can notify you when college reps are visiting

• Secure teacher recommendations 

• Look for College Financial Aid Nights 

• Look for information regarding FAFSA Completion workshops offered by the Counseling Dept in the fall. 

• Attend local college fairs

• Submit college applications in advance of deadlines. 

• Finish up visiting colleges and scheduling interviews where appropriate. 

• Repeat the SAT or ACT, if needed. 

• Maintain your grades and rigor of courses for first quarter/first semester and through to graduation, as they may still affect your college admissions 

• Investigate scholarship opportunities in the Park College & Scholarship google classroom, FastWeb, BigFuture

GRADE 12: Winter/Spring 

• Apply for need-based and merit-based financial aid and compare aid award packages. 

• Send tuition deposit to the school of your choice by May 1 unless you were an early decision candidate. 

• Notify other school(s) that you decline their offers of admission

• Continue to apply for scholarships, especially through local, community organizations. Scholarships will be available all the way up through the end of senior year, so pay attention to the Park College/Scholarship google classroom & your email

• Notice counselor of any scholarships/awards/grants won to be included in the Senior Honors Night & Journal Times awards article 

• Take AP exams in May if applicable. 

• Complete the Senior Exit Survey 

• request your final official be sent to your college after graduation