Juniors - Start your Countdown to College
(Source: Education Services Foundation)
1. Start researching colleges. Begin developing lists of schools to which you may want to apply. Send for their literature or check our their Web site. For tips, go to College Selection in the Planning for College section of www.esfweb.com
2. Visit college campuses this year. Contact the Office of Admissions to set up your visit and tour.
3.Register for an take the PSAT National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test which is given in October. Besides helping you practice for the ACT and SAT, high scores can qualify you for scholarship money. For details, click on PSAT at www.collegeboard.com
4. Prepare to take the ACT and/or SAT. Thorough preparation is the best way to ensure success. You should take these once or twice in your junior year so that you have time to retake them in the fall of the senior year if necessary. Check with the colleges you are interested in to see if the ACT Writing Section is required. For tips, go to Standardized Tests in the Planning for College section of www.esfweb.com
5. Do the colleges that you are considering require the SAT Subject Tests? If so, take them this year while the subjects are fresh in your mind.
6. You should be taking the most challenging courses available to you- Honors, AP, IB classes, etc. Colleges want to see that you took advantage of all the opportunities that were available at your school.
7. Go to several college fairs. Collect information and talk to representatives from colleges, the military and ESF.
8. Begin to research financial aid resources including scholarships. Some scholarships have early fall senior year deadlines.
9. Earn the best grades you can. Colleges will be looking at you cumulative GPA after your junior year.
10. Work on study skills and time management. When the amount and difficulty of your schoolwork increase in college, these skills will help you succeed.
11. Begin writing your high school resume - a list of all your accomplishments, activities, athletics, awards and honors, volunteer and paid work experience from the first three years in high school. You will use this resume for college and scholarship applications.
12. Look into summer jobs or other summer educational experiences that will help you narrow your career interests and will provide leadership skills.
13. Plan your senior year course schedule carefully. Make sure to take any courses that are required for admission to your college choices, such as a fourth year of math and English or a foreign language.
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