11th Grade Planning

At a Glance:

Fall:

• The GPA provided to colleges when you apply is cumulative through the end of the junior year.

• Attend the Junior College Planning Night.

• Three college visitation days are permitted per year.

• Consider registering for the SAT depending upon your academic skill set.

• Utilize Naviance, CFNC, College Board, ACT, and college websites to continue to refine your college plans and search.

• Take the PSAT in October. While this is still a practice test for the SAT, Juniors who score exceptionally well on the PSAT may be considered for participation in the National Merit Scholarship.

• Attend college fairs offered in the Charlotte area. Introduce yourself, get the representative's card, and send a follow-up. Get added to the school's mailing list.

• Begin to establish formal criteria (cost, location, size, programs) for the type of college you would like to attend. Talk to family, friends, and teachers about their college choices and experiences.

• Evaluate your first quarter grades. Determine what you are doing well and what you need to improve to meet your academic goals for the year.

• Continue preparation for the ACT through the Naviance Test Prep.

• Consider Fall Bus Tour.

Winter:

• PSAT students' reports are distributed. Read the information carefully to interpret your performance.

• Continue to meet deadlines as assigned by your PLP College Planning Counselor.

• Look ahead to spring break/summer as possible opportunities to visit colleges.

• Determine with your PLP College Planning Counselor whether you should take SAT Subject Tests in May or June.

• Take the school-administered ACT (February).

• Attend College Panel Sessions for advice regarding applications, essays, interviews, etc.

• Continue your college search.

Spring:

• Consider Registering for the Spring Bus Tour.

• Register for all remaining junior year standardized tests.

• Review your academic plans for Upper School and continue to update Academic Resume with English teacher.

• Utilize your spring break for college visits. 

• When you visit college campuses, be sure to ask questions, talk to college students, and keep a notebook. Send a "Thank You" note to the college admissions representative.

• Give serious time to prepare for all of your final exams.

• Consider registering for the College Essay Writing Camp offered through the Kaleidoscope Camp.

Summer:

• Spend your summer productively.

• Continue to narrow your college list. You should aim for a final list of 6-8 schools.

• Visit colleges you did not see during the school year.

• Common App opens on August 1st begin to complete essays if the college accepts it.

• Continue working on essays. Look for opportunities to use an essay for more than one application. Do rough drafts of essay topics and all applications. Proofread essays carefully.

• Begin to consider which teacher(s) could best prepare college recommendations for you. Make formal requests at the beginning of your senior year or the end of your junior year.

• Begin searching for scholarships. Note all application deadlines and requirements.

• Update your Academic Resume.