Junior Timeline

JUNE


JULY

  • Social media cleanup: This is a good time to clean up your social media profiles. If you have any questionable photos or language, delete them now before you start your college search in earnest.

  • Learn more about colleges—Use online search tools, attend college fairs, speak with college reps, and ask friends already in college for their thoughts on different colleges to begin formulating an opinion of where you want to go. Continue this process throughout junior and senior year. College Board has created a great resource for your college search at BigFuture.

  • Are you taking a a family trip this summer? Add a college visit to your itinerary. You can make an appointment for an official visit at most colleges. Staying in Houston? I suggest vising and comparing your likes and dislikes about the following colleges: University of Houston, University of St. Thomas, Prairie View A&M University. Other local colleges include University of Houston Downtown, Texas Southern University, and Houston Baptist University.

  • If you have not yet established formal leadership roles like team captain or organization secretary, take an inventory of your life to determine where you do lead - even without the title. Consider how to write about this informal leadership on your college applications.

    1. Do you get asked to work a specific shift at your job because you're trusted to do an important task?

    2. Does your coach rely on you to communicate with the team?

    3. Do your friends call you for help with their projects?


AUGUST & SEPTEMBER

  • If you are enrolled in dual credit classes this year, make online payment by the deadline.

  • College App & Admissions Timeline - A timeline and set of resources that track the college search and application process from 9th through 12th grade.

  • Corsava - Check out this awesome resource that helps you figure out what you want (and don’t want) from your college experience.

  • PSAT - Sign up to take the exam this fall, even if you took the test as a sophomore. Strong test scores as a junior may qualify you for academic honors, including National Merit as well as programs and recruitment for Black, Latinx, Indigenous, rural, first-generation and low income students.

  • Compass Guide to Admissions Testing - Start mapping out a standardized testing plan with the goal of taking the SAT or ACT at least once before the end of the school year.

  • Connect with college admissions reps - Sign up for a few sessions with college representatives when they visit your high school this fall. Also check their website for information on virtual information sessions and local events.

  • Remember you have a resource to help you with confusing college terms


OCTOBER

  • If you are enrolled in AP classes this year, register now for your AP tests.

  • PSAT - Take the exam and get a feel for what SAT Test Day will be like. Your score will help highlight your test taking strengths and areas for improvement, and will inform your test prep plan moving forward.

  • Attend CFISD College Night, which is typically held in the month of October.

  • How to Create a College List (With Tracking Spreadsheet) - Use this guide and organizing tool to begin building a list of schools that you are excited about.

  • Want a better idea of your chances? Check out the college acceptance calculator. Remember that many schools have new testing policies (test optional or test blind) after Covid, so this calculator's basis on historical data may make it less accurate to predict future admissions decisions, but it's still something to consider.

  • How to research schools without visiting a campus - You don’t need to step on a college campus to begin researching schools. Here are four resources that will show you how.

    1. Consider a virtual tour with YouVisit

  • Going Test Optional: What is it? - Confused about whether or not test scores matter? Here’s an overview of what you need to know. You can also check out the CFISD presentation from February 2021

  • FairTest - Looking for a comprehensive list of colleges and universities with test-optional admission policies? Here you go.

  • Dealing with learning differences? - Researching the available support services and programs will be a critical part of your list building. Learn the differences between accommodations in high school and services offered at colleges.


NOVEMBER

  • Lay the groundwork for fee waivers: Have you filled out the free/reduced-school lunch form? If your family qualifies, you’ll be eligible for fee waivers for the SAT/ACT as well as for college applications. This simple step can save you hundreds of dollars.


DECEMBER


JANUARY

  • Start developing your list of target colleges—Identify 10 to 15 colleges of interest with the goal of having several schools at varying levels of selectivity: some "probables" (sometimes referred to as "safety schools") some "match," and some "reach" options. Continue updating this list throughout junior year and at the beginning of senior year.

  • Research scholarships so you know what to expect next year—Once you are midway through your junior year, it's time to begin searching for more traditional scholarships that are specifically made available to students in their senior year of high school.

  • Identify high-value colleges: As you work on developing your college list, identify schools that’ll meet 100% of your financial need, institutions with generous merit-aid programs.

  • Essential Advice for Low-Income/First-Gen Students: Get key tips and resources, including learning about the chance to visit college campuses for free.

  • AP practice resources: If you’re taking AP exams in May, here’s how to prep.


FEBRUARY

  • Virtual college fairs: There are many opportunities to attend college fairs from home, including sessions that focus on STEM programs and the visual and performing arts. These easy-to-attend virtual events can be a great window into what college is all about.

  • QuestBridge College Prep Scholars: See if you qualify to apply for this top-notch college admission support program.

  • Pre-work for your teacher recommendations: Take a look at this form and imagine how your teacher(s) might fill it out. What are your strengths/areas for improvement? What words will come to their mind when they think of you? You’ll request teacher recs in May, so this is a good time to start thinking about these important pieces of the college application process.

  • Research summer programs that can help you learn more about a college or a topic. Consult the list of opportunities that CFISD has collected


MARCH

  • Keep building your college list

  • Register for summer and fall/spring dual credit courses

  • Meet with your high school counselor to select your senior year courses

  • Micro-scholarships: It’s never too early to start thinking about how to pay for college. Begin building your RaiseMe profile now.


APRIL


MAY


SUMMER after JR YEAR

Thank you to CollegeEssayGuy.com for creating concise month-by-month guides on which much this information is based.

Thanks to Get Schooled for creating great video guides for a variety of college-related topics.