Junior (11^thGrade) Checklist

 If you did not do this as a freshman or sophomore, sit down with your family to discuss your future. Talk about if/why you should go to college and set objectives to get there.

 Discuss a plan to finance your college education. Get the real numbers based on your personal financial situation. Try the College Budget Calculator.

 Understand the real cost of College. Sign up for FREE at Tuition Fit.

 When the school year starts, the first thing you will want to do is to schedule a meeting with your school counselor to confirm that you are on the right path toward college.

 Take the PSAT NMSQT in October. Registration is up to six weeks in advance of the test. 

 Study hard! Junior year grades should be as high as possible; Colleges will look at them closely.

 Continue to explore career options and the college majors that provide the educational background in the fields you are interested in. Utilize The Career Factors for Students course and assessment to help you identify important features of your personality, key motivations, interests, and aptitudes that may help you in your college major and career exploration decision.

 Make a list of determining factors that would be important in selecting a college or university. Using your list of determining factors, find the colleges that best suit you. Visit the colleges’ websites, take virtual Campus Tours, and try to establish if they have the programs, atmosphere, and fit within the budget that you are looking for.

 Attend college and career information events - including trade school and apprenticeship/internship opportunities. 

 Continue to investigate and participate in extracurricular school activities, community service activities, and leadership positions.

 Begin to put together your résumé that you will want to submit with your college and scholarship applications.

 Study for the ACT or SAT. Begin with practice tests from Khan Academy.

 PSAT results are generally available in December. Discuss the results with your family and school counselor to determine your strengths and weaknesses so you can better prepare for your next steps toward college.

 If you are considering a Military Academy, start the process now. Begin reviewing the applications and request recommendation letters right away.

 If you are a student-athlete, look at these Interesting Statistics at any college in the USA.

 If you would like professional help NCSA is the best at coaching student-athletes. Find all the essential tools you need for the recruiting process.

Meet with your school counselor and schedule your classes for the following year.

Register for the SAT and/or ACT.

Continue to investigate the colleges that you are interested in. Visit colleges near you during winter or spring break. Take Virtual Campus Tours.

Continue to explore career options and the college majors that provide the educational background in the fields you are interested in. Utilize The Career Factors for Students course and assessment to help you identify important features of your personality, key motivations, interests, and aptitudes that may help you in your college major and career exploration decision.

April - June

 Work hard in school to finish the year well. Colleges will look at your junior year grades, so you want them to be as high as possible!

 If the college requests prospective students to schedule interviews, schedule them for the summer.

 Continue your involvement (or get involved) in extracurricular and community service activities.

 If you know that you will need recommendation letters from specific teachers, politely ask the teachers now.

 Continue to investigate colleges on your list and consider lining up a job, internship, apprenticeship, and/or volunteer opportunities for summer.

 Meet with your school counselor before school is over so you can discuss your plans for the summer and upcoming school year.

 If you’re in the position to do so, take a course at a local college or community college during the summer to start earning college credit.

Summer

 Look at applications from the colleges on your list and determine what requirements you will need to fulfill. Also begin to familiarize yourself with the Common App. 

 Begin working on your personal statement, college application, supplemental questions, and scholarship essays. The College Essay Guy offers expert personal help with many free and low fee options.

 Continue to investigate different colleges. There are over 4,000 colleges and universities in the United States and settling on a college that is the best fit financially, academically, and socially requires some hard work. Take Virtual Campus Tours or visit your local college to get a feel of what college is all about and the atmosphere.

 Visit colleges and begin to get an idea of where you would like to go. Study for the SAT/ACT exams if you plan to take them again during the summer or fall of senior year. Start with practice tests from Khan Academy.

 Start researching possible scholarship opportunities. Ask at your high school counselor, locally at businesses and organizations, or online. Read more in our Scholarships Section. 

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