College Planning Timeline

Junior Year

September

• Meet your Guidance Counselor
• Start preliminary college selection
• Think about career choices & college major possibilities
• Attend college nights at area schools
• Get a good academic start on your second half of high school. (Your six semester [end of Junior year] cumulative GPA will be very influential in determining your eligibility for acceptance at many colleges.)

October

• Take the PSAT/NMSQT and do well. This could bring you big scholarship $$$.
• Continue to visit college reps from schools in which you have an interest.
• Do well in your classes. First quarter ends in October.
• If you are interested in attending a military academy, start the process now. For more information on the application process, see your guidance counselor.
• Get in the habit of listening to the daily bulletin. Listen/Watch for scholarship opportunities for Juniors.

November

• Consider taking the Campbell Interest Skills Survey. This could help in choosing a career.
• Continue to concentrate on your academics
• Keep a record of your activities at school and outside of school. You will eventually want to do a resume and you will need details of honors and awards.

December

• Register to take the Jan. SAT.

• Keep up academically. Master your subjects so you can enjoy Christmas vacation.
• Study for and do well in your exams. Semester grades apply to GPA.
• Continue to gather college information from schools that interest you.

January

• Take the Jan. SAT.

• Second semester begins. Do well in your classes.

February.

• Select your Senior year courses carefully. Know what colleges require.
• Seriously consider Honors and/or AP courses. You can get a head start in college with these courses as well as save a lot of money.
• Register for the April ACT

March

• YOU REALLY NEED TO TAKE BOTH THE SAT & ACT AT LEAST ONCE DURING YOUR JUNIOR YEAR. Be sure you have registered.
• Attend the College Fair at Nolan

April

• Take the ACT
• Register for the June SAT and/or ACT if you need to or want to

• Consider summer programs at various colleges in subject areas that interest you. Information is posted and updated in the guidance center.

May

• Take the SAT if you missed the April test
• Do well in your exams. GPA after 6 semesters is used by colleges to determine acceptances.

Summer

• Visit some colleges that you may be considering. Write for information.