Junior Year

Attend 11th-Grade Post-Graduation Info Night (Fall)

Create a Scoir account:

• Create your profile and identify three post-secondary options in Scoir. This will be helpful no matter what you plan to do after high school, and it will be the base for all college application tracking. 

Explore and Discover:

• Participate in the archers Mentorship program, Post-grad events, attend college and career fair. You may discover possibilities you never knew existed. Identify 2-3 post-grad options.

Build a resume:

• Start building a resume to showcase your accomplishments, activities, and work experience. These will also be used in requesting Letters of Recommendations.

Take the SAT

• Use Kahn Academy to prepare and take practice tests.  Document scores in Scoir.  

I Don’t Want to Go to College But I Want to Be Successful:

• Explore training programs, community college, trade schools, employment, gap years, mission trips, or military options. Check out this website: https://www.goodwin.edu/enews/dont-want-to-go-to-college/

Network with Peers and Adults:

• Connect with friends who are already in college and those who can offer guidance. Talk to family friends about their careers. You may have great connections you didn’t realize you had.

Develop interview and social skills: 

• • Do not underestimate the importance of these skills. Every day new research and articles are published that reinforce the importance of social skills for living a productive and satisfying life.

    1. Register for Social Skills Essentials & Advanced College Prep here: https://www.cotillion.com/jdw/registrationstep4/3106/CO

    2. Likewise, interview skills will be necessary for anything you do after high school: https://www.projectnext.org/how-to-ace-a-job-interview-as-a-high-schooler

Use your Scoir account:

• Keep track of where you applied, how you applied and deadlines. I will use Scoir to submit all transcripts, letters of recommendations and other important documents. It’s essential Scoir stays up-to-date.

Narrow Down your college list:

• Narrow down potential colleges based on your interests, academics, and other factors. You should aim for 2-3 of each match, safety and reach colleges.

Visit campuses and College Fairs:

• Schedule visits to colleges that pique your interest to experience the environment and learn more. Attending college fairs gives you the opportunity to compare different schools in real-time.

Request Letters of Recommendations & Complete the Brag Form: 

• Decide what two teachers you want to request Letter of Recommendations from, get approval from them and complete the required LOR Request Form. 

Familiarize yourself with common app:

• This guide walks students step-by-step through each question of the Common Application, including why it’s asked and how to best answer. Here is the link: https://www.standoutcollegeprep.com/common-app-guide/

Familiarize yourself with FAFSA:

• This guide - https://myfuture.com/preparing-for-school/how-to-apply-for-fafsa/ walks students through the FAFSA form: This Screen-by-screen walkthrough of the 2026-27 FAFSA by College Money Matters video on YouTube may also be helpful.

Start brainstorming your college Essay:

• Get a head start by brainstorming your college essay. A college essay workshop will be offered in the fall.

Stay Organized:

• Keep track of college information, including deadlines and requirements using Scoir. You can also make a digital copy of this College Application Organizational Spreadsheet.

Research Scholarships:

• Explore scholarship opportunities that align with your qualifications. Look for state and local scholarships. Never pay for a search!! This is a good one: https://www.fastweb.com/

Register with NaIA or NCAA

• Registering with the NAIA (National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics) in high school provides several benefits for aspiring student-athletes, especially those seeking opportunities beyond the NCAA.