FALL

• Check in with the Values Exercise. Has anything changed?

• Stay consistent with your non-­academic extracurricular activities if your values and priorities haven’t changed. If they have, try something new. Continue to look for ways to explore and deepen your interests in these activities. Try a leadership role if you haven’t already.

• Continue to update your activity log.

• Start your college search by attending a local college fair and a few college admission rep presentations at your high school (if they are offered).

• Explore your college interests by sorting the college criteria on sites similar to Corsava. Then use those preferences to search for a few college matches.

• Start a preliminary list of colleges to visit using the results of your college match searches. Have a family meeting to block out dates for college visits throughout junior year.  

• Keep your grades up. Junior year grades are the last ones some schools will see before making an admissions decision.

• Take an aptitude or career assessment such as ASVAB to learn more about your interests and strengths, which will change as you grow and learn.

• Continue challenging yourself academically with higher level AP or honors classes.

• Schedule a meeting with your school counselor to discuss the colleges you are interested in. Tell them about your college preferences and ask for their suggestions of colleges that might be a good fit for you. Continue to develop your relationship with your counselor and College & Career Advisor.

• Testing

  • Take the PSAT/NSMQT in October. This test qualifies students for the National Merit Scholarship. (Guides to the PSAT and National Merit Scholarship.)
  • Stay on track with your ACT/SAT testing timeline and study schedule.

• Athletic Recruitment

  • Double-check that  your classes meet the NCAA Clearinghouse requirements 
  • Complete online athletic recruitment forms for each college you're considering. You'll find these on the college's website under "athletics."
  • Once you’ve completed the online recruitment forms, make your sports resume and recruitment videos.
  • Spread out your correspondence with coaches by sending the resumes and video a few weeks after you complete the online forms.

• Fine & Performing Arts Students

  • Sign up for Performing & Visual Arts College Fairs.
  • Create an admissions requirements spreadsheet for fine and performing arts programs.
  • You most likely need to create a portfolio and audition materials, so spend junior year working on pieces.

  WINTER & SPRING

  • • Investigate summer experiences.

    • Register for senior year classes. Remember colleges will want to see a strong senior year course load including five academic core classes.

    • Continue visiting colleges. Use local colleges to sample certain types of schools (single-sex, small liberal arts, larger university, etc.)

    • Start building your college list based on your values and your research.

    • Start researching scholarship opportunities.

    • Complete the Letter of Rec questionnaire and request letters of recommendation from two academic teachers from junior year.

    • Testing

      • Select testing dates. Most likely your first ACT or SAT will take place between December and May.
      • Take the AP/IB exams in May.

    • Athletes

      • Send your sports resume and video to college coaches and fill out the athletic recruitment surveys on the college websites. Talk to your high school coaches and get their insight. You will need their recommendation!

    • Fine & Performing Arts Students

      • Explore how the audition and portfolio process works for college admission.
      • Build your portfolios and audition videos.
    • Set up a meeting with your school counselor to ask questions about college choices, your senior year schedule, testing, and anything else you're curious about.

    SUMMER

    • Participate in summer experiences (research, reading, internships, fun stuff).
    • Refine and finalize your college list. Be sure it reflects a balance of admission probabilities (likely, possible, and reach schools).
    • Research the type of applications required for each school on your list, as these vary.
    • Write your Common Application personal statement. 
    • Complete the Common Application..
    • Visit more colleges.
    • Research the admission requirements and deadlines for schools on your list and create a spreadsheet to organize information. Research to see if an interview is offered or required at each school.
    • Create a scholarship spreadsheet to list deadlines and requirements.