Juniors

FALL:

• Take the PSAT (October) 

• Stay on track with your classes and grades

• Make a list of potential colleges you would like to attend

• Create a document of any awards and involvements to use in the future

• Start studying for the SAT/ACT

• Evaluate education options: vocational-technical school, career college, or two-year or four-year college, military college

• Discuss careers and which majors can lead there

• Gather college information: Attend college fairs, college nights and speak to representatives from colleges that attend your high school

• Begin planning campus visits

• Mark the dates on a calendar for upcoming tests: SAT and ACT

• Continue involvement in extracurricular and volunteer activities and seek leadership roles

• Continue building relationships with your teachers as 11th grade teachers are the ones that you will most likely ask for letters of recommendation

WINTER:

• Stay involved with extracurricular activities

• Study for the ACT/SAT

• Getting involved: Holidays and winter break are great times to volunteer

• Organize your college information

• Continue discussing careers and corresponding majors

• Shadow career fields if possible 

• Learn more about financial aid

• Sign up for challenging classes for your senior year!  Look at Dual-Credit/AP courses, if appropriate!  

• Talk to your counselor and coach if you are considering playing sports in college.  Double check your NCAA eligibility 

SPRING:

• Take the school-wide SAT (April)-No additional Testing Required

• Apply for a summer internship or job

• Set up appointments at your top college choices including a tour of the campus and meet with a professor/coach (Spring Break is a great time to visit!)

• Keep researching potential fits for your post-secondary options.  

• Start narrowing down your college choices: if you haven’t already start planning some college visits

• Note merit scholarship requirements for these colleges

SUMMER:

• Work a summer job to gain experience, build a resume, and save money for college

• Talk to others about their experience in college 

• Start working on your college application essays: Have a teacher read and discuss the essays with you

• Consider retaking the SAT/ACT to improve score

*Adapted from https://thescholarshipsystem.com/blog-for-students-families/junior-year-checklist/