JUNIOR YEAR CHECKLIST 

SPRING

• College Profile Survey:  Complete & Submit your “College Profile Survey” in Naviance by the end of June. Students must work to complete their  “College Profile Survey” in Naviance. The College Profile Survey is required in order for the School Counselor  to write their letter of recommendation.This is also discussed in the Junior Conference meeting. Complete your College Profile by the end of June of your Junior Year.

• The College Essay & College Essay Writing: College Essay writing can really start at any point. In the Junior year: The Counselors review the College Essay during the Junior Conferences with students. Counselors encourage students to start their essays over the summer. Students are encouraged to share their college essays with their Senior English teacher for feedback and support when they return in the Fall of their Senior Year.

• STEP College Essay Writing: 

  • MHS offers  “College Essay Writing” taught by an MHS English Teacher during the MHS STEP Program: Semester 1 - Fall Semester and Semester 2-Spring Semester.

  • Junior Students can sign up for “College Essay Writing” in the Spring Semester 2 of the MHS STEP Program during their Junior year and also Semester 1 of their Senior Year.

• The Common Application: College Essay Writing Prompts:  The Common Application announces the essay prompts in Spring. See  LINK for Common App essays Prompts

• Attend MHS School Counseling Department’s Event: College Essay Writing Workshop in collaboration with the The College Essay Guy™: "How to Brainstorm, Structure, & Outline an Outstanding Personal Statement" (Early June): The MHS School Counseling Department is proud to partner with The College Essay Guy™ to host a virtual college essay writing workshop for Junior students! This interactive workshop is designed to guide rising seniors through the early stages of writing a strong personal statement. Whether you're just beginning to think about your college essay or already have a few ideas, this session will help you brainstorm authentic content, understand powerful story structures, and leave with a solid outline to build on. This engaging and practical workshop will provide students with expert guidance on how to craft a compelling college essay that reflects their unique voice and experiences. Led by the nationally renowned College Essay Guy™, the workshop will cover how to generate strong college  essay ideas, organize content, and build an outline that can serve as the foundation for a standout personal statement

• Requesting Teacher Letters of Recommendations: Students should consider which Teachers they would like to request letters of recommendation and begin to speak to those teachers in person in the Spring Semester of their Junior year- before they leave for Summer Break. 

  • Secure Teachers who will write you letters of recommendation for your College Applications for Fall- Start of your Senior Year. Speak to your chosen teacher in person.

• Prepare for the Spring: March/ April/May/June SAT or ACT Exams:  Internet, Books, Prep Courses

  •  Khan Academy Free Online Prep for SAT

• FAIR TEST: Test-Optional Colleges/Universities: Colleges have introduced more flexibility and choice in their admissions process by offering "Test Optional" in the application process.For a list of Test-Optional colleges/universities, you can log into: https://fairtest.org/ 

• Attend College Fairs in the Region:  (Dates/locations to will be communicated)

• Attend PNW BOCES Regional College Fair at PNW BOCES Yorktown Campus: (April/May - PNW BOCES provides the date).

  •  MHS Counseling Department 11th Grade Student Field Trip:  (Students-During the School Day):  PNW BOCES Regional College Fair at PNW BOCES Yorktown Campus: Juniors are invited to attend the College Fair at PNW BOCES via the MHS Field trip permission slip. MHS Counseling Department will take Juniors to BOCES for this event who sign up to attend. It is considered a Field Trip and MHS Counselors chaperone the field trip to BOCES.

  • Evening Event: PNW BOCES Regional College Fair at PNW BOCES Yorktown Campus:  Students and Parents are encouraged to attend the PNW BOCES Regional College Fair evening event hosted by PNW BOCES.

• Campus Tours/Campus Visits: Students/Parents Explore Colleges/Universities- Visit College Campuses of Interest: Junior Year-Spring Semester-Throughout Summer prior to the Senior Year.  Make appointments with the Admissions Office or register  on-line through the College/University.

• Attend the MHS School Counseling Department Career & Service Learning Fair (April)

• Take March/ April/May/June SAT Exam and/or ACT Exam 

• Prepare for May AP Exams as applicable

• Register for  Summer SAT Exam and/or ACT Exam. Check the College Board calendar for dates/registration information. You may register for exams at  www.collegeboard.org or actstudent.org.

• Fee Waivers:  If you receive Free & Reduced Lunch, you may be eligible for a reduced fee for SAT/ACT exams, College Application fees, and College Concurrent Enrollment Application fees.  A "Consent to Release Information" form must be completed. See your School Counselor for information regarding eligibility, fee waivers, and the "Consent to Release Information" form.

• Apply for College Board Testing Accommodations (for PSAT; SAT; AP Exams etc. ) and/or ACT testing Accommodation : For students with an IEP/504.  See your School Counselor for consent forms and additional information to apply for College Board/ACT Testing Accommodations. 

• Build/Continue to Build Your College/University List:  Continue to evaluate and build your list of Colleges/Universities.

  • Revisit your college list and consider whether you are looking at colleges that fit you: grades, campus life etc. 

• College Athletics NCAA- Division I and II.  If you are intending to participate in inter-collegiate athletics, review NCAA eligibility requirements using the list of NCAA approved courses linked in the Program of Studies.  The  program of studies can be found here: MHS Program of Studies 

  • Complete  NCAA Eligibility Center required Forms

  • Let your Counselor know! Discuss with your counselor!

  • If interested in playing DI or DII Athletics, students must register online with the NCAA Clearinghouse by the end of Junior Year. 

  • You must complete the Academic and Amateurism Certification account registration before you go on official visits, sign a National Letter of Intent, receive an athletics scholarship or compete at a Division I or II school.

  • A student can register with the clearinghouse online and view core course requirements at: NCAA Eligibility Center

  • Inform your School Counselor about your intent to play DI/DII athletics as soon as possible.

  • MHS Approved List NCAA Courses (use CEEB code 332975)

• Maintain your Academic record: Junior year is the last full year of courses and final grades that will appear on transcripts that go out with your college applications.  It is important to show that you are focused on academic success while also taking challenging classes. You want to finish your Junior Year strong!

• Maintain your Co-Curricular, Clubs, Extra-Curricular Activities: Maintain a list of your high school co-curricular activities with a brief description of the activity; length of time involved; and include any leadership positions in those activities 

• Service Learning Graduation Requirement- Submit Service Learning Hours via MHS Digital Service Learning System in Infinite Campus (IC):  Be mindful of minimum 60 Hour Service Learning graduation requirement. Submit your Service Learning Activities in IC to meet your graduation requirement.