Juniors

Get Ready!

There's an old Chinese proverb that says, "The journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step."

No matter how unsure you feel about taking that first step, every single one after that will be a little easier. It also helps if you have a plan to follow through your junior year—and here it is.

Start taking standardized tests.

Check the schedules for the PSAT in the fall, and the SAT® Reasoning Test™ and SAT Subject Test™, ACT, and AP tests in the spring.
Discuss with your school counselor why you should take these tests and how they could benefit you.
Determine which tests you will take.
Sign up and prepare for the tests you've decided to take.

Maintain your grades and keep participating in activities.

Continue to take and seek out challenging courses.
Join an academic club.
Start or update your academic resume.
Assume leadership roles in your activities and sports.
Consider putting together a portfolio that highlights your special skills and talents.
If you’re considering a major in fine arts, music, or writing, begin assembling a portfolio of your work.

Continue your college search.

Gather information from colleges. Request brochures and catalogs and attend college fairs.
Visit colleges and talk with college students.
Check into applying to colleges online.
Talk with your parents and high-school counselor about colleges that interest you.
During the summer between your junior and senior year, write practice applications and essays and decide where and when to apply.

Fall Semester Timeline

August

Talk with your guidance counselor about your options and your plans. Be sure to ask about test dates for the PSAT, ACT, and SAT. You'll need to register up to six weeks ahead of time.
Sign up for courses and remember that a tougher course load helps your chances of winning scholarships and increases your chances of admission to the school of your choice.
Start investigating private and public sources for financial aid. Take note of scholarship deadlines and plan accordingly.
Sign up for activities to enhance your college applications.

September

Find out about schools you are interested in attending. Treat your school selection process like a research paper: Make a file and gather information about schools, financial aid, and campus life to put in it. Go to college fairs and open houses and learn as much as you can from schools websites.
Begin planning college visits. Try to visit when classes are in session so that you can observe normal campus life.

October

Take the PSAT. You'll get the results by Christmas.
Sign up for ACT or SAT prep courses.
Begin planning your admissions and scholarship essays and choosing whom you'd like to ask for a recommendation.

November

December

Begin the application process for service academies, such as West Point and Annapolis.
Decide if you should take AP exams in May. Investigate the College-Level Examination Program® or CLEP, which grants college credit for achievement in exams covering many different college-level subjects.

Spring Semester Timeline

January

Meet with your guidance counselor to develop your senior year schedule.

February

Think about lining up a summer job, internship, or co-op (paid internship).
Plan campus visits for spring break.
Memorize your Social Security number if you haven't already. It will be an important part of your identification on campus.

March/April