College planning calendar for juniors

Fall

Start with you:  Make lists of your abilities, social/cultural preferences and personal qualities.  List things you may want to study and do in college.

Learn about colleges.  Look at the websites (www.collegeboard.com has links).   Talk to friends, family, teachers, and recent grads of your school now in college.  List features that interest you.

Resource check:  Visit the counseling office and meet with the counselor.  When will college representatives visit your school?  (Put dates in your calendar).  Examine college guides and catalogs.

At school, sign up for the PSAT/NMSQT, which is given in October.  If you plan to ask for testing accommodations (because of a disability), be sure your eligibility is approved by the College Board ahead of time.  Check with your school counselor.

Make a file to manage your college search, testing, and application data.

If appropriate, (for example, if you’re interested in art, drama, music, sports, etc.) start to gather materials together for a portfolio.

With your family, start to learn about financial aid.  Read the Dept of Education’s Funding your Education (about federal aid programs).  Use Getting Financial Aid published by College Board and the financial aid calculator at www.collegeboard.com to estimate how much you might receive.

Winter

Make a family appointment with your counselor to discuss ways to improve your college preparation and selection process.

Sign up to take the SAT/ACT at least once in the spring and again next fall.  Register on-line.  To prepare, download practice booklets from www.collegeboard.com (for the SAT) or from www.act.org (for the ACT).

Begin a search for financial aid sources.  National sources include the College Board Scholarship Handbook and electronic sources.  Don’t overlook local and state aid sources. 

Ask a counselor or teacher about taking the SAT Subject tests in the spring.  You should take them while course material is still fresh on your mind.  You can download “Taking the SAT Subject Tests,” which offer test-prep advice from College Board.

Spring

Visit colleges – large, small, public, and private.  Get a feel for what works for you.  Attend college fairs, too.

Develop a list of 15 to 20 colleges that attract you.  Request viewbooks and information about financial aid and academic programs that interest you.  Visit some colleges over Spring Break.

If you are considering military academies or ROTC scholarships, contact your counselor before leaving school for the summer.  If you want a four-year ROTC scholarship, you should begin the application process the summer before your senior year

Summer

If you are an athlete planning to continue playing a sport in college, register with the NCAA Clearinghouse www.ncaaclearinghouse.net.

Find a full- or part-time job, or participate in a camp for summer college program.

Visit colleges.  Take campus tours and, at colleges you are serious about, make appointments with admissions counselors.

Create a resume- a record of accomplishments, activities, and work experiences since you started high school.

Download applications (or request paper copies) from colleges to which you’ll apply.  Check application dates-large universities may have early dates or rolling admissions.

Source:  The College Board