Junior Checklist
Are you in 11th grade? Are you thinking about college?
Use this checklist to get started and make sure you are on the right track for your senior year.
☐ Take the most challenging courses that you are still able to be successful in. The level of classes, and the grades you receive, are the first factor that college admissions offices will consider when reviewing your application.
☐ Stay involved! Continue with any clubs, organizations, community service groups, or athletic teams that you belong to. Want to be more involved? Pursue leadership positions within these organizations!
☐ Take the PSAT in October (10.25) and prepare for it. Your scores could nominate you for National Merit Scholarships. This is also a great, affordable, way to prepare for the SAT.
☐ Attend College Night in Virginia to get a jump-start on the college application and financial aid processes. Plus, enter to win one of 4 randomly drawn $500 scholarships! It’s never too early to earn free money for college!
☐ Research colleges based on your personal preferences (location, size, majors offered, cost, campus life, etc) to create a list of preliminary colleges that you are interested in. Make sure that you aim to include target and safety schools on your list—in addition to any reach schools*.
☐ Use the detailed score report from the PSAT to create a study plan to prepare for the SAT/ACT that you will take during the spring semester.
☐ Take the SAT and ACT at least once during your spring semester of your junior year. If you can take both, DO IT. Students will usually perform better on one test versus the other and it’s to your advantage to take both! Schools will consider your highest set of scores, no matter which test they come from.
☐ Apply for ANY and ALL scholarships available to underclassmen! There are many out there! Don’t miss out on FREE money!
☐ Use your spring break and summer vacation before senior year to visit colleges. You would never want to attend a college you have never set foot on! Interested in private schools in Virginia? Take advantage of Virginia’s Private College Week to visit a number of private schools and receive application fee waivers for attending. This usually takes place at the end of July/beginning of August!
*The Long Shot–the Reach School: Your grades and test scores put you in the bottom 25th percentile of students in that school. You should not apply to this school “just to see if you can get in”. Be sure to communicate to an admissions officer in writing that this school is the perfect fit for you.
*The Target School –Acceptance is Likely: Your grades and scores place you in the middle 50thpercentile of the school’s students. You are a good match for the majority of students there, and this is one of your favorite colleges you have considered. It is a good idea to let the admissions staff know this is one of your top choices.
*The Safety School: Your credentials clearly place you in the top 10th percentile of the college’s applicant pool. However, you should never have an arrogant attitude with an admissions officer from this school by letting them know this is your “safety”. Remember that a safety school may offer you a competitive financial aid package or scholarship, or offer you admission to an honors program.