🎓 Junior College Planning Checklist

🌟 Explore & Plan

☐ Meet with your school counselor to review your academic plan, graduation requirements, college goals, and course selections.

☐ Explore careers, majors, and colleges using resources such as CFNC, BigFuture, Major Clarity, and NCcareers.org.

☐ Complete career and college-readiness assessments to explore interests, strengths, potential careers, and college majors.

☐ Keep your CFNC plan of study updated and make sure your courses support your postsecondary goals.

☐ Continue taking challenging courses that are appropriate for your academic goals. Use teacher and counselor input when selecting senior-year courses.

☐ Continue to focus on strong grades. Junior-year grades are important when colleges review your academic record.

☐ Build and maintain positive relationships with teachers, counselors, classmates, and other school staff.

☐ Stay involved outside the classroom through sports, clubs, volunteering, service learning, employment, internships, or other activities.

☐ Talk with family, teachers, counselors, coaches, and other trusted adults about college and career options and their experiences.

🏫 Explore & Build Your College List

☐ Start building a college list based on your interests, academic profile, career goals, location, size, programs, and campus environment.

☐ Research college admission requirements, including required courses, testing, application requirements, and deadlines.

☐ Learn about the cost of different colleges and begin researching scholarships, grants, financial aid, and other ways to pay for college.

☐ Visit colleges in person or virtually whenever possible.

☐ Attend college fairs, financial aid workshops, and college representative visits at NWCCA or in your community.

☐ Connect with colleges and scholarship organizations to learn more about opportunities that may be a good fit.

☐ Create a preliminary list of colleges you may want to apply to senior year. Aim for a balanced list that includes reach, target, and safety schools.

☐ Keep track of important admission requirements and deadlines for colleges that interest you.

📝 Prepare for College Applications

☐ Complete a practice college application through CFNC to become familiar with the information you'll need to provide during senior year.

☐ Learn about the college application process and understand the timeline for applications, transcripts, recommendations, essays, and financial aid.

☐ Create or update your college planning accounts, including CFNC, BigFuture, Major Clarity, and other resources you use.

☐ Begin identifying teachers or other adults you may want to ask for letters of recommendation during senior year.

☐ Build a résumé or activity list that highlights your academics, activities, leadership, employment, volunteering, awards, and accomplishments.

☐ Begin thinking about college essay topics and experiences you may want to share in your applications.

📚 Testing & Academic Preparation

☐ Take the PSAT/NMSQT in October, if offered. Strong scores may qualify you for National Merit recognition and scholarships.

☐ Review your PSAT/NMSQT results and use them to identify areas for improvement.

☐ Determine whether the colleges on your list require or recommend the SAT or ACT.

☐ Register for and take the SAT and/or ACT when appropriate.

☐ Use free SAT and ACT practice resources through CFNC, College Board, and other reputable sources.

☐ Review your SAT/ACT scores and determine whether another test date would strengthen your application.

☐ Explore your AP Potential and consider AP courses that align with your academic and career goals.

☐ Commit to taking AP exams if you are enrolled in AP courses.

☐ Prepare for and take AP exams.

☐ Review your AP scores and learn how colleges you're considering award credit for AP coursework.

💰 Start Planning for Financial Aid

☐ Create your Federal Student Aid (FSA) account/ID so you're prepared to complete the FAFSA during senior year.

☐ Add parent/guardian information to your college-planning accounts when appropriate.

☐ Learn how the FAFSA and financial aid process work before senior year.

☐ Talk with your family about college finances and establish a realistic budget for your education.

☐ Research the actual cost of colleges you're considering, including tuition, fees, housing, meals, transportation, books, and other expenses.

☐ Start a scholarship list and keep track of scholarships you may be eligible for during senior year.

☐ Explore scholarships, grants, and other financial aid opportunities through CFNC, colleges, community organizations, and reputable scholarship programs.

☐ Learn about student loans and understand the difference between borrowing and receiving grants or scholarships.

🏆 Special Considerations

☐ Student-athletes: Talk with your counselor and coach about college athletic eligibility, recruiting, and scholarship opportunities.

☐ Student-athletes: Learn about the requirements for the NCAA Eligibility Center and keep your academic record on track.

☐ AP/College-Level Courses: Research how colleges on your list award credit for AP and college-level coursework.

☐ Students considering community college: Research placement testing, dual enrollment/college-credit opportunities, transfer pathways, and program requirements.

☀️ Plan for the Summer Before Senior Year

☐ Finalize a preliminary college list and identify schools you want to research more closely.

☐ Create a college application timeline for senior year.

☐ Review admission requirements and deadlines for your potential colleges.

☐ Continue working on your résumé, activities list, and college essay ideas.

☐ Communicate with teachers you may ask for recommendation letters and let them know about your plans.

☐ Look for a summer job, internship, volunteer opportunity, or summer learning program related to your interests.

☐ Visit colleges if possible.

☐ Continue researching scholarships and financial aid.

☐ Use the summer to prepare for senior year so you can begin the college application process with a plan.