SEPTEMBER - NOVEMBER
- Continue to get good grades. This is your last FULL year that colleges will see final grades from!
- Think about possible college options/career paths (review results from Naviance assessments).
- Take the PSAT again, if necessary
- Take the Pre-ACT
- Kaplan practice tests available for free: more info at kaptest.com or call 1-800- KAP-TEST
- Get involved in extracurricular activities if you haven’t done so already.
DECEMBER - JANUARY
- Start compiling a list of all your high school activities/extracurriculars.
- Get to know your counselor/teachers better, if you don’t already. They will need to know you if they want to write a good recommendation letter for you next year!
- Review PSAT and Pre-ACT results and try to determine which test/s you will take in the spring.
- Decide what kind of test prep is right for you (e.g. test prep course, free online practice tests, etc.).
FEBRUARY - MARCH
- Choose courses for senior year
- Compare college requirements with your course selections – make sure you’re taking courses that colleges require!
- Attend Junior College Planning Night with parents
- Registration deadline for March SAT is in February [ can also take in May or June
- Registration deadline for April ACT is March [can also take in June ]
- Attend small group meetings run by your counselor and schedule individual meetings.
- Start putting together an activity list to provide to your counselor [ and send to colleges later ]
- Start searching for colleges via Naviance.
- Start planning college visits during vacation or on Saturdays
- Investigate summer courses/programs/jobs or test prep classes. Registration is often early
APRIL
- Continue researching colleges and visit colleges during April vacation.
- Continue to get great grades!
- Register for May or June SATs [www.collegeboard.com] and/or June ACTs [www.act.org]
- Determine which colleges require SAT Subject tests and register for those, if necessary
- Submit a draft of your activity list to your counselor (due date TBA)
- Attend College Fair at Shriner’s Auditorium
MAY - JUNE
- Ask 2 current teachers for letters of recommendation
- Update an activity list/resume or start one if you haven’t done so already
- Create a Common Application account at www.commonapp.org and become familiar with all components of the application. Begin filling out all the sections in the basic application
- Submit your Guidance Counselor Letter of Recommendation Request Form
- Thoroughly prepare for final exams
JULY - AUGUST
- Participate in a meaningful activities: work, camp, classes
- Continue to explore and visit colleges - refine course selection based on admissions requirements
- If English is not your first language, talk to your counselor about registering for a TOEFL exam
- The Common App usually updates its college-specific information by August 1. Become familiar with all components of the application, including supplements, and begin filling out supplements
- Brainstorm ideas for your college essay and begin working on your college essay
