Junior Year

September

  • Check with your counselor to make sure your course credits will meet college requirements.
  • Be sure you are involved in one or two extracurricular activities.
  • Begin building your own online college admissions and applications file in your Personal Organizer at http://www.collegequest.com
  • Meet with your school counselor to discuss college choices.
  • Review your transcript and test scores with you counselor to determine how competitive your range of choices should be.
  • Develop a preliminary list of 15 to 20 colleges and universities and search for information on them.
  • Start scheduling campus visits.  When school is in session (but never during final exams) is the best time.  Summers are OK but will not show you what the college is really like.  If possible, save your top college choices for the fall.  Be aware, however, that fall is the busiest visit season, and you will need advance planning.  (Don’t forger to write thank-you letter to your interviewers.)

 

October

  • Register for and take the PSAT

November

  • Strive to get the best grades you can.  Now, a serious effort will provide you with most options during your applications process.

 

December

  • Get involved in a community service activity.
  • Begin to read newspapers and a weekly news magazine and keep updated on college news at http://www.collegequest.com
  • But SAT Success or ACT Success and begin to study for the tests.

April

  • Take any standardized test you have registered for.
  • In your CollegeQuest Personal Organizer, create a list of your potential college choices and begin to record personal and academic information that can be later transferred to your college applications.

January

  • With your school counselor, decide when to take the ACT, SAT I, and SAT II Subject Tests (and which Subject Tests to take).
  • Keep your grades up!

May

  • Plan college visits and make appointments.
  • Structure your summer plans to include advanced academic work, travel, volunteer work, or a job.  See Greatsummerjobs.com for help.
  • Confirm your academic schedule for fall

February

  • Plan a challenging schedule of classes for your senior year
  • Think about which teachers you will ask to write recommendations
  • Check http://www.nacac.com/fairs.html for schedules and locations of college fairs.

Summer

  • In your Personal Organizer at CollegeQuest.com, begin working on your application essays.
  • Write to any colleges on your list that do not accept the Common or Universal Applications to request application forms.
  • Buy the latest edition of Peterson’s Guide to Four-Year Colleges.

March

  • Register for the test you will take this spring (ACT, SAT I, and SAT II).