Maintaining your grades during your junior year is especially important. Your grades, GPA, and class rank at the end of this year will be reflected on the transcript we send with your college applications. Remember: better grades equal more options.
September:
September:
- Register for the PSAT exam (applications in Guidance office). Remember that when you take the PSAT in your junior year, the scores will count towards the National Merit Scholarship Program (and it is great practice for the SAT).
- Take the PSAT.
- Begin to casually research colleges and create a list of possible schools. This list should contain a mix of colleges that are a "good fit" academically, "reach" schools that might have slightly higher academic requirements, and "safe" schools that you feel confident you will be admitted to.
- Student athletes who wish to play at the College level should set up a special meeting with his/her Counselor to discuss the NCAA Eligibility process. You'll need to register with the NCAA clearinghouse, may need to take the SATs earlier, and have to double check that your courses meet NCAA requirements.
- Review your PSAT results with your counselor to identify your strengths and determine the areas you may need to improve upon. Depending on your needs, you may consider other methods of preparing for the SAT.
- If you decided to participate in the Student Search Service (an option on the PSAT) then you will begin to receive lots of mail from colleges and universities. Read your college mail and send reply cards to your schools of interest. Use all this new info to refine your list of possible schools.
- Considering setting up tours and/or campus visits at the schools you are most interested in. Visiting during the Spring semester will allow you to see campus while it's alive with activity. You can speak to students, observe a class, and get an idea of what life at that school is all about.
- Register for Spring SAT and/or ACT tests. It is a good idea to take the SAT or ACT in the spring to allow you time to review your results and retake the exams in the fall of your senior year, if necessary.
- If you have taken AP courses this year, consider signing up for the AP exams in May. Scoring well on AP exams may earn you college credit.
- Meet with your Guidance Counselor to schedule senior year courses. Colleges like to see a challenging senior schedule. Taking that extra science class, another year of foreign language, or trying Calculus will show colleges that you care about academics and you’ll be prepared for college level work.
- Take the SATs (March, May, or June - we recommend June for most students)
- If necessary for a school you are interested in, take the ACT (April)
- Take AP exams for AP subjects you studied this year. (May)
- Talk to teachers about writing letters of recommendation for you. Think about what you would like included in these letters (how you would like to be presented) and politely ask your teachers if they can accommodate you.
- Update your college file (see 9th grade timeline) with new report cards, test scores, honors, awards, and activities.
- If you decide you’ll be taking the SATs again in the Fall, consider an SAT prep course.
- Continue (or start) visiting colleges and universities you are interested in.
- Decide if you are going to apply under a particular college's early decision or early action programs. This requires you to submit your applications early in the Fall, typically October or November of your senior year. Early decision offers the benefit of receiving the college's decision about your admission early, usually before January 1. However, pay attention to the requirements for early admission. Some early decision programs are binding -- if they accept you, then you are required to attend there.