This is a key year in the college planning process because you\u2019ll be taking standardized tests, narrowing down your college list, and learning more about financial aid. In addition, you\u2019ll need to stay involved in your high school courses and activities.<\/p>\n
Stay on track with your classes and grades.<\/strong> Take the PSAT<\/a>.<\/strong> Evaluate your education options.<\/strong> Make a college list.<\/strong> Continue gathering college information.<\/strong> Organize a testing plan.<\/strong> Make sure you\u2019re meeting any special requirements.<\/strong> Stay involved with extracurricular activities.<\/strong> Organize your college information.<\/strong> Begin narrowing down your college choices.<\/strong> Prepare for standardized tests.<\/strong> Learn more about financial aid.<\/strong> Prepare a challenging schedule for senior year.<\/strong> Start a scholarship search.<\/strong> Contact your recommendation writers.<\/strong> Apply for a summer job or internship.<\/strong> Set up appointments at your top college choices.<\/strong> Visit colleges.<\/strong> Get advice from other college students.<\/strong> Organize your financial aid information.<\/strong> Start working on your application essays.<\/strong> Make early decision preparations.<\/strong> <\/p>\n
\nMeet with your counselor to see what you still need to take. Check on your class rank and your GPA. Even if your grades haven\u2019t been that good so far, it\u2019s never too late to improve. Colleges like to see an upward trend.<\/p>\n
\nTaking the test qualifies you for the\u00a0National Merit Scholarship program, which means you could earn money for college. In addition, it\u2019s a good way to practice for the SAT.<\/p>\n
\nNow is the time to follow a more specific path. Decide whether you want to pursue full-time employment, further education or training (such as a vocational-technical school, career college, or two-year or four-year college), or a military career. If you\u2019re interested in attending a military academy, talk to your guidance counselor about starting the application process now.<\/p>\n
\nYour\u00a0list of colleges<\/a> should include schools that meet your most important criteria (for example, size, location, cost, academic majors, or special programs). Weigh each of the factors according to their importance to you and develop a preliminary ranking of the schools on your\u00a0list.<\/p>\n
\nGo to college fairs, attend college nights, and speak with college representatives who visit your high school; use an online college finder and search top college lists. You may be able to narrow your choices or add a school to your list.<\/p>\n
\nFigure out when you\u2019ll be taking important tests like the SAT<\/a>, ACT<\/a>, SAT Subject Tests<\/a>, and AP exams<\/a>, and mark the dates on your calendar. You\u2019ll want to have plenty of time to prepare.<\/p>\n
\nIf you want to play Division I or II sports in college, start the certification process and check with your counselor to make sure you\u2019re taking a core curriculum that meets NCAA requirements.<\/p>\nWinter: Stay involved, organize college lists, and prepare for standardized tests<\/h2>\n
\nColleges look for consistency and depth in the\u00a0non-academic activities<\/a> you pursue. Taking on leadership roles and making a commitment to the same groups are more important than trying out tons of new activities each year.<\/p>\n
\nSet up a filing system with individual folders for each college\u2019s correspondence and printed materials. This will make it easier to locate the specific information you\u2019re looking for.<\/p>\n
\nMake sure you have all the information you need about the colleges you\u2019re interested in (entrance requirements, tuition, room and board costs, course offerings, student activities, financial aid, etc.). Then begin\u00a0comparing the schools by the factors that are most important to you and rank your choices.<\/p>\n
\nFind out if the colleges you are interested in require the SAT, ACT, or SAT Subject Tests. Register to take the tests you need; most juniors take them in the winter or spring. You can take them again in the fall of your senior year if you\u2019re unhappy with your scores.
\nTalk to your family.<\/strong>
\nHave a discussion about the colleges you\u2019re interested in. Your family can learn about what you want to pursue and you can hear any concerns or suggestions they might have.<\/p>\n
\nExamine your family\u2019s financial resources and gather information about\u00a0financial aid<\/a> from the schools you\u2019re interested in. High-school sponsored financial aid nights, college financial aid counselors, and\u00a0advice articles\u00a0are also good sources of information.<\/p>\nSpring:\u00a0Search for scholarships and gather recommendations<\/h2>\n
\nMeet with your counselor to determine what classes you\u2019ll take next year and to make sure you\u2019re on track for graduation. When you pick your classes, don\u2019t load up on easy electives. Colleges do consider your senior year courses and grades, so stick with a schedule that challenges you.<\/p>\n
\nThere are lots of scholarships out there; you just need to spend a little bit of time and effort to find them. Check with your guidance office for scholarships from local organizations and use online\u00a0scholarship search tools<\/a> to find a wider range of options. The sooner you start looking for scholarships, the easier it will be to select some to apply to during your senior year.<\/p>\n
\nTeachers and guidance counselors are often asked to write recommendations for lots of students. Consider whom you want to ask now and let them know so they\u2019ll have time to prepare before getting tons of requests in the fall. Ask teachers who know you well and who will have positive things to say.\u00a0Letters of recommendation<\/a> from a coach, activity leader, or adult who knows you well outside of school are also valuable.<\/p>\n
\nSummer employment and internships in fields you\u2019re interested in will look appealing on a college application or resume. The money you earn can also be used to help pay application and testing fees in the fall.<\/p>\n
\nYou\u2019ll often have to plan ahead when visiting colleges<\/a>. Call the admissions office to set up a personal interview, tour, and a meeting with a professor or coach if you\u2019re interested. You can also ask them to send you an application.<\/p>\nSummer: Visit colleges\u00a0and work on application essays<\/h2>\n
\nVisit the campuses of your top five college choices. Take a tour and speak with the admissions and financial aid staff. You may also be able to talk to students if some classes are in session. If you have an interview<\/a>, be sure to send a thank-you letter to the interviewer once you return home.<\/p>\n
\nIf you have friends or relatives in college, talk to them about what college life is like, especially if they attend a school you\u2019re interested in. Although it\u2019s important to hear what the admissions staff has to say about a school, it\u2019s also important to get the students\u2019 perspective.<\/p>\n
\nDevelop a plan that includes a list of the aid sources, requirements for each application, and a timetable for meeting the filing deadlines. Getting organized will make the process of applying a lot easier because you\u2019ll know where to find important information.<\/p>\n
\nCompose rough drafts of the essays you\u2019ll need for your college applications. Have a teacher read and discuss them with you so you can see what to work on. Make any revisions to your\u00a0application essays and prepare final drafts. Don\u2019t forget to proofread your final essays a few times.<\/p>\n
\nIf you plan to apply\u00a0early decision<\/a> to any school, take the time to visit the school again and make sure you\u2019re willing to commit. If you elect to apply early decision, you should start working on your application as soon as possible because its deadline will be earlier than others.<\/p>\n