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Discern - Junior
During the junior year it is important for the student to be deeply involved in the discernment process for what they will do with their future. Students should be discerning which colleges will be a “good fit” for them by actively seeking out information on schools and developing a list of schools for which they plan to apply. They also should know their academic standing and how that relates to their college admission chances.
Objectives:
§ Encourage commitment to rigorous & appropriate college preparatory curriculum
§ Provide resources, information and recommendations on college choices
§ Have student complete list of at least 5 “good fit” schools
§ Give individual explanation and recommendation for college entrance exams
§ Explain importance and value of campus visits and provide information about scheduling and planning meaningful visit
Expectations for Student:
§ Study at least two hours every night five nights per week.
§ Continue using Email to be informed of homework assignments Google Calendar to track assessments and Google Docs for projects, assignment submissions, and to save work.
§ Attend College Fairs.
§ Take second ACT and SAT (if needed) by end of junior year.
§ Continue to visit/update your portfolio on SCOIR, ACT Profile, and Big Futures.
§ Listen to College Representative Visits and visit college campuses to help discern a proper college fit for you.
§ Plan College visits by visiting each institutions website, clicking on their visit link, and confirming that visit. Request college visit paperwork from the Student Services Office to have your visit not count against your attendance.
§ When scheduling college visits, request to speak with an admissions counselor as well as a financial aid counselor to answer any questions you may have. In addition, make sure to visit during a normal school day to see what the campus truly is like. Take pictures and make notes to help you organize your information during this discernment process. Some specific questions to ask are:
What makes this college unique?
What are your most popular majors?
What is the job placement percentage of your graduates?
What percentage of first-year students return for their sophomore year?
Do most students stay on campus or leave on the weekends?
Which admission criteria do you consider most important (GPA, ACT/SAT scores, Community Service)?
§ Write each institution a Thank You Note for their time with you during your visit.
§ Meet individually with Student Services to discuss & update four-year plan and follow through on goals.
§ Update your college file with new brochures, college visit notes, transcripts, and potential essays.
§ Look for summer opportunities to increase chances for acceptance to schools.
§ Know which assessments you need to take/re-take your senior year.
§ Update your resume to highlight your wanted points.
§ Begin to formulate your college essay for summer applications. If you are going to need letters of recommendation, make your request before school is out for the summer.
§ Fully participate in the Junior Job Shadow Day to experience a day in the life of the career you may want to major in. Think about your abilities, talents, interests as well as taking interest inventories on ACT profile or on SCOIR to help in the discernment process.
Plan for Parent:
§ Monitor student’s study habits and grades and encourage continued effort.
§ Continue using email, Google calendar, and Google Docs.
§ Be aware of student’s ACT scores and see that they take second ACT by end of junior year (consider test prep course).
§ Monitor your student’s portfolio contents on SCOIR, Big Futures, and on ACT Profile.
§ Attend college and financial aid night programs to become more familiar with information presented.
§ Assist student in finding appropriate summer activity to best increase chances for acceptance to preferred schools.
§ Start a conversation on college costs. Let your child know how much you can contribute and begin to investigate financial aid opportunities.
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