11th Grade
JUNIOR YEAR
Junior year is the time to get to know lots of colleges, get to know the differences between college systems and begin figuring out what's best for YOU! But first:
Focus on your grades! Participate in class. Be the best YOU that you can be!
Take advanced classes that interest you (AP,IB, Honors, etc.).
Talk to your counselor about High School/College Dual Enrollment.
Dual enrollment lets you enroll in college courses while still in high school.
Connect with your counselor and begin exploring college options.
Ask for help in drafting your list of colleges you are interested in.
Continue getting involved, staying involved, and looking into leadership roles in your extracurricular activities.
Continue collecting samples of your accomplishments / important papers / accolades
Continue discussing college budget and weighing financing options with your parents.
Continue looking at colleges. Attend college fairs, go to info sessions, and make college visits.
Pay attention to your health! School can become especially stressful around junior year. Don’t be afraid to seek support from family, friends, teachers, mentors, and school counselors!
AUGUST
Make sure you meet course eligibility requirements for UNC System
Discuss any course changes with your Counselor.
IN THE FALL
Take the PSAT/NMSQT in October for possible National Merit Scholarship opportunities. Junior year is also the time to make some plans regarding testing.
Schools you apply to may require an ACT/SAT so take advantage of practice tests to determine which, if any, is a test you might prep for and eventually take this year. Please check college websites for testing requirements. Most colleges are currently Test Free or Test Optional in 2023-2024, but still uncertainty with some regarding the Class of 2025 and beyond.
IN THE WINTER
Apply to summer programs. QuestBridge offers scholarships to summer college programs at schools including Emory, Notre Dame, UPenn, Stanford, UChicago, and Yale. Speak to your counselor to inquire about Diversity Experiences that you must apply to in the winter/spring.
Register to take the SAT or ACT in the Winter or Spring if you’ve decided to take an official test.
Start visiting colleges, local or beyond, and begin thinking about what are important aspects you want for your college experience. Start your college search with self-reflection!
Look for scholarships. The College Board has excellent scholarship resources. Look for scholarship opportunities on the student services website for information. Colleges also offer merit scholarships, which you can find on their websites.
Set up appointments to visit your top hoped-for colleges over spring break or summer. Call the admissions office or use the college’s website to register for a campus tour and info session.
IN THE SPRING
Think about which teachers you’ll ask for recommendations (if needed).
Set up a meeting to talk to teachers about letters of recommendation.
Ask your counselor if you qualify for a testing fee waiver.
If you have decided to test, take the SAT, ACT if you have not done so already, or retake the test if you are trying to improve your score. Be sure to check college websites to determine test requirements.
Take AP exams.
Schedule a meeting with your counselor to discuss any college questions before summer break.
IN THE SUMMER
Get started on your Common App, Coalition App and/or UC applications when they open.
Plan more visits to colleges you’re interested in.
Draft college essays.
Update your preliminary college list.
Make a college payment plan or budget with your parents.
Continue to research and collect information on your top colleges, majors and career choices. Take a look at the college applications for your top schools and consider all the different pieces of information you’ll need to compile, along with supplemental essays you’ll need to write (if applicable), etc.
Volunteer or get work experience.
Brainstorm ideas for drafting and begin writing your College Essay/ Personal Statement
Contact and speak with LCA High alumni who attended your target colleges.
Draft your ‘Activity Sheet’ or resume which will assist with college applications
Register with the NCAA if you plan to play sports in College to establish your eligibility and send in your transcript. Get more info in the NCAA Guide for the College Bound Student Athlete.
Organize your applications deadlines. Carefully organize a timeline if you are planning to apply Early Decision or Early Action. Keep narrowing down your list to a realistic number of schools to which you’ll actually apply: 3 each of Reach / Target /Likely schools is considered more than reasonable.
Take summer classes, if interested, or do something genuine and “purposeful” over the summer… but be certain it is something YOU really enjoy and want to do – not something you think might look good to a college!
Enjoy summertime with your family and friends!