Junior Year Planning

Focus on your grades.  Junior year is a crucial time for you to work your hardest and maintain excellent grades during the year.  Your junior year grades are extremely important in the college admission process, because they are a measure of how well you do in all courses.  Continue to take the appropriate level classes to maintain consistency and rigor.

​Continue to have conversations with your parents/guardians about what you hope to do after high school.

Begin the college selection process. Attend college fairs, financial aid seminars, general information sessions, etc., to learn as much as you can about the college application process.

Take the PSAT and Pre ACT.   Use your scores to determine areas to improve and take advantage of online prep programs such as Khan Academcy and Edgenuity to help increase your chances of getting a higher score..

Continue to get involved with clubs and other extracurricular activities.​

Sign up for college visits through Naviance.  Don't miss out on the chance to meet with college admissions counselors directly.

Go on scheduled college visits. It is important to make sure go when students are on campus so that you can get a more realistic vibe of the school.

​Schedule your Junior Meeting with your school counselor.  In this meeting you will plan your schedule for senior year, and discuss your post-secondary plans.   

Get a jump start on summer activities-consider applying for a summer program or internship, fill out job applications, or research volunteer opportunities.  

Register to take the SAT and/or ACT.  All Hough Juniors will be take the ACT during the school day in February.  This is a real ACT that can be used for college admission so take this test seriously.  

Attend the National College Fair in March.

Prepare for AP Exams in May.

Continue to go on college visits.

If you are an athlete planning on playing a sport at a Division I or II school, you will need to register through the NCAA Clearing House. https://web3.ncaa.org/ecwr3/

​After school ends, get on the road to visit colleges.  Seeing the college firsthand, taking a tour and talking to students can be the greatest help in deciding whether or not a school is right fit for you.

Begin preparing for the actual application process: draft application essays; collect writing samples.

Identify the teachers you plan to ask for a recommendation letter and give them a heads up for the Fall.

Add any new report cards, test scores, honors or awards from the year to your file and resume. 

Continue to work on your application essays and review the application procedures for the colleges you plan to apply to.

Check deadlines!   Decide if you are going to apply under any early decision or early action programs. This requires you to submit your applications early, typically between October and December of your senior year. 

Make sure you have a professional/college appropriate e-mail address up and running!