You're past the halfway mark! Keep building on your successes and reaching out for help in areas where you are struggling. Do the hard work when it needs to be done so you can enjoy your well earned time off.
11TH GRADE TIMELINE
Review the OIHS Course Guide to see what classes are being offered. Consider taking Algebra 2 if you haven't already.
Meet with Dr. Fletcher to make sure you’re on track to graduate and taking the best classes for your chosen pathway.
Do a search for scholarships available to juniors, apply to at least one, even if it's just to get a sense for how the process works. The competition pool is also much smaller, as far less juniors apply for scholarships than seniors. Some good choices are the Coolidge Scholarship, the Horatio Alger Scholarships, the Think for Yourself Essay Contest, or the Gen and Kelly Tanabe Scholarship
Keep going with your extracurriculars and looking for ways to take on more responsibility, maybe add something new to the mix.
Stay on top of your To-Do list in Schoolinks, spend a bit more time in the career and college sections, saving jobs or schools you are interested in.
Take the PSAT. As a junior, if you score within the top 1% you are automatically entered into the running for the National Merit Scholarship, which can award up to $10K.
Attend the Futures Fair. This event becomes extra important in your junior year, ask lots of questions, get business cards, send emails to the reps after the fair if you would like more information. This is called demonstrated interest, and many colleges include this when looking at your application holistically.
Figure out what you’re going to do for your volunteer hours, you can check out the Orcas nonprofit directory for ideas. Consider Identifying one local organization where you can volunteer every semester, rather than doing one-off events, this type of consistency looks good on both college applications and resumes. However, if you have greater clarity as to what you want to do after high school, maybe look for an opportunity to volunteer at a business or organization that aligns with those interests, it's a great way to get your foot in the door!
Focus on finishing your classes and doing well on your exams. Create and practice good study habits. Ask the Futures Lounge if you want help with developing a study plan.
Check to make sure your second-semester classes are on track for graduation.
If you are planning on going to college, find your SAI using the Federal Student Aid Estimator to get a sense of how much student aid you can expect.
FEBRUARY
The February break is an ideal time to visit colleges, classes are still in session so you can get a sense for what the campus is like when it is full of students. Take an official college tour and make sure to sign in, this is another way to show demonstrated interest.
Study for the SAT, take practice tests to familiarize yourself with the types of questions and using the Desmos calculator.
If you are planning on applying to a US Military Academy, applications open February 15th. Now is also a good time to start training for the Candidate Fitness Assessment.
Take the SAT. Getting a good score on this test can help you fulfill your graduation requirement, boost your chances at scholarships, and is required by some colleges and military academies.
Start thinking about what you want to do during the summer. Internships, summer jobs, volunteer work, or interest based camps are all excellent ways to make the most of your months off, and give you an edge on both college and job applications. They're also fun and engaging!
Work hard to finish your classes and do well on your exams. Remember, a strong start now means you don’t have to scramble to try raise your GPA your junior or senior year!
Now that you've come up with a plan for summer, make sure you're on track to achieve it! Apply for that job, sign up for that camp, or reach out to the businesses or individuals you would like to intern for.
Register for classes next year; check with Dr. Fletcher to ensure you are on track.
Visit college campuses near your home or near any travels you take over the summer. It will be different from how it would feel during the school year when classes are in session, but it's still a good way to get a sense for the place, and be sure to check in at the admissions office!
Start saving money to fund whatever you choose to do after high school. It’s never too late or too early—every little bit helps.
If you plan on going to college, research financial aid, student loans, and scholarship opportunities to help you pay for it.
If you have questions about this information, please ask!
Jamie Klückow/Post-Graduate Prep: jkluckow@oisd.org
Dr. Fletcher/School Counselor: rfletcher@oisd.org