If college is one of your possible plans, junior year is the time to begin serious research.

Don't wait until senior year to start asking, "Where should I apply?"

Begin exploring:

• Four-year colleges and universities

• Community colleges

• Public vs. private colleges

• Large vs. small campuses

• Rural, suburban, and urban settings

• Possible majors

• Admissions requirements

• Tuition and financial aid

• Scholarships

• Campus life

• Graduation rates

• Career outcomes

The goal is not to find one "perfect" college.

The goal is to develop a list of schools that could be a good academic, personal, and financial fit.

A website can tell you a lot about a school.

Being there can tell you much more.

Whenever possible, consider visiting colleges, universities, technical schools, or training programs that interest you.

During a visit:

• Take a campus tour.

• Attend an information session.

• Explore academic buildings.

• Ask about your intended major.

• Visit residence halls if applicable.

• Ask about financial aid.

• Learn about student organizations.

• Explore dining and recreational facilities.

• Talk with current students when possible.

Take notes after each visit. After seeing several schools, details can begin blending together.

Different colleges have different admissions expectations.

Junior year is a good time to begin researching:

• Required high school coursework

• GPA expectations

• Course rigor

• World Language expectations

• SAT/ACT policies

• Essay requirements

• Letters of recommendation

• Application deadlines

• Portfolio or audition requirements

• Requirements for specific majors

Knowing these requirements before senior year gives you time to make informed academic decisions.

Junior year has traditionally been an important year for college admissions testing.

Students considering college should research whether the schools they are interested in, require, or consider the SAT or ACT, as testing policies can vary by institution.  If you are taking any Advanced Placement (AP) classes, you will also likely be taking AP exams. 

Don't take a test simply because you think you're "supposed to."

Understand why you're taking it and whether it matters for your future plans.

Your school counselor can help you determine which assessments may be appropriate.

Junior year provides access to some of Central Columbia's most advanced academic opportunities.

Depending upon prerequisites, previous coursework, and teacher recommendations, junior offerings include courses such as:

Mathematics

• AP Calculus AB

• AP Calculus BC

• AP Statistics

Social Studies

• AP Psychology

• AP U.S. Government

• AP European History

• AP U.S. History

Science & Technology

• AP Biology

• AP Computer Science

• AP Physics C

Students also have access to Honors courses and numerous specialized electives.

Advanced coursework can provide excellent preparation for college-level academics, but your goal should not simply be to collect the greatest number of difficult classes.

Build a schedule that is challenging, purposeful, and manageable.

Junior students have access to a wide variety of specialized courses.

Depending on prerequisites and scheduling availability, opportunities include areas such as:

Science & Health
Genetics, Physiology, Chemistry II, Environmental Science, Sports Medicine, Kinesiology, Medical Ethics, Animal Science, and Forest & Wildlife Science.

Technology & Media
Computer Science, Programming, Video Game Design, Web Design, Broadcasting, Event Production, Digital Graphics, and Communications.

Engineering & Manufacturing
Engineering and Design, Structural Engineering, Transportation Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, CNC, Robotics, Manufacturing, and Precision Measurement.

Business
Accounting, Advanced Accounting, Cost Accounting, Business Law, Global Economics, Entrepreneurship, and Marketing.

Education & Human Services
Psychology, Sociology, Introduction to Teaching, Curriculum and Instruction, Clinical Experience, Child Development, and related courses.

Agriculture & Applied Science
Agricultural Science, Supervised Agricultural Experience, Land Surveying, Aviation, and advanced agricultural coursework.

Junior year is an excellent time to move beyond introductory exploration and begin developing depth in an area that genuinely interests you.

You don't complete the FAFSA during junior year, but this is an excellent time for families to begin learning about college costs.

Start understanding terms such as:

• Tuition

• Cost of Attendance

• Grants

• Scholarships

• Financial Aid

• Work-Study

• Student Loans

• Net Price

• FAFSA

Families can also use college Net Price Calculators to get a better estimate of what a particular school might actually cost after estimated grants and scholarships.

The advertised tuition price does not always equal the amount a family ultimately pays.

Starting these conversations now can make senior-year decisions much easier.

Scholarships aren't only for seniors.

Some opportunities are available to juniors, and junior year is an excellent time to learn how scholarship applications work.

Begin looking for scholarships connected to:

• Academic achievement

• Career interests

• Community service

• Leadership

• Athletics

• Activities

• Employers

• Local organizations

• Special talents

Even if you aren't eligible yet, create a list of scholarships you may want to apply for senior year.

Junior planning should include all postsecondary possibilities.

Career & Technical Education

Explore training programs and careers that combine technical knowledge with hands-on skills.

Apprenticeships

Many apprenticeships allow participants to earn while they learn while developing specialized occupational skills.

Trade & Technical Schools

Research programs, certifications, completion rates, costs, and employment outcomes.

Military

Students interested in military service can research branches, careers, enlistment requirements, ROTC, service academies, and the ASVAB.

Employment

Students planning to enter the workforce should begin researching employers, required skills, certifications, résumé preparation, and advancement opportunities.

There is no single definition of success after high school.

The goal is to leave Central Columbia with a plan and a pathway forward.

If you started a résumé during sophomore year, update it.

If you haven't started one yet, now is the time.

Include:

• Education

• Employment

• Volunteer service

• Clubs and organizations

• Athletics

• Leadership

• Awards and honors

• Certifications

• Skills

• Career experiences

• Job shadowing

Don't underestimate everyday accomplishments.

Holding a part-time job, helping care for family members, volunteering, participating consistently in an activity, or taking leadership within an organization can all demonstrate responsibility and character.

Senior year may involve asking teachers for letters of recommendation.

Those letters are much stronger when a teacher actually knows you.

Junior year is a great time to:

• Participate in class.

• Ask thoughtful questions.

• Seek assistance when needed.

• Demonstrate responsibility.

• Communicate respectfully.

• Show genuine interest in learning.

Don't build relationships merely because you might need a recommendation.

Become an active member of your school community.

The recommendations will take care of themselves later.

By junior year, graduation isn't a distant idea anymore.

Review your progress with your school counselor.

Make sure you understand:

• Credits earned

• Credits still needed

• Core graduation requirements

• Career Pathway requirements

• Keystone/Act 158 status

• Physical Education requirements

• Courses required for senior year

• Any additional graduation requirements

Finding a missing requirement now gives you time to address it.

Finding it late in senior year creates unnecessary stress.

When selecting junior courses and moving through junior year, begin looking ahead.

Ask yourself:

• What courses do I want to take senior year?

• Do they have prerequisites?

• Could dual enrollment be appropriate for me?

• Are there AP courses that fit my goals?

• Will my senior schedule meet college admissions requirements?

• Am I on track for graduation?

• What will I need to accomplish next fall?

Your senior year should be the final step of a four-year plan, not something you begin planning in August.

Junior year is one of the most important times to develop a relationship with your school counselor.

Your counselor can help you with:

• Graduation planning

• Course selection

• Career Pathways

• College research

• Career exploration

• Job shadowing

• SAT/ACT questions

• AP courses

• Dual enrollment

• Technical education

• Military options

• Scholarships

• Financial aid preparation

• Postsecondary planning

• Personal and social concerns

You don't need to arrive with a perfectly developed plan.  That's what the conversation is for.

Junior year can feel demanding.

Students may be balancing challenging coursework, athletics, activities, employment, testing, college research, friendships, family responsibilities, and decisions about the future.

Ambition is important.

So is balance.

Remember to:

• Get adequate sleep.

• Make time for activities you enjoy.

• Stay physically active.

• Maintain healthy relationships.

• Take breaks.

• Ask for help.

• Avoid comparing your path to everyone else's.

Your future matters, but so does your well-being today.

Junior year is an important planning year for families.

Students should increasingly take ownership of their future planning, while parents and caregivers can serve as guides, sounding boards, and sources of support.

This is a good year for families to begin conversations about:

• Postsecondary goals

• College affordability

• Career interests

• College visits

• Transportation

• Living at home vs. away

• Scholarships

• Financial aid

• Employment

• Apprenticeships

• Military opportunities

• Expectations after graduation

Try asking:

• "What options are you considering?"

• "What do you like about that career?"

• "What did you learn from your job shadow?"

• "What would you like to see when we visit a college?"

• "What can we research together?"

The goal isn't for parents to choose the student's future.

The goal is to help the student learn how to make a thoughtful decision about it.

Fall

• Focus on academics and involvement.

• Review graduation progress.

• Begin serious career and college research.

• Explore testing requirements.

• Start identifying potential colleges, training programs, careers, apprenticeships, or military opportunities.

Winter

• Continue researching postsecondary options.

• Prepare for applicable standardized tests.

• Update your résumé.

• Plan your Futures III job shadow.

• Begin exploring scholarships and college costs.

Spring

• Complete your job shadow.

• Visit colleges or training programs when possible.

• Take appropriate SAT/ACT or AP Exams.

• Begin narrowing your postsecondary options.

• Choose senior-year courses carefully.

Summer Before Senior Year

This summer matters.

Use it to:

• Visit colleges.

• Finalize a preliminary college list.

• Research application requirements.

• Begin brainstorming college essays.

• Update your résumé.

• Research scholarships.

• Explore employment or career experiences.

• Organize application information.

• Learn about financial aid and FAFSA.

• Prepare for senior year.

A little preparation during the summer can make senior fall significantly less stressful.