The Junior Year Calendar.
September
- Begin to think about your reasons for going to college. What are your goals?
- Start to plan your extra-curricular projects for this year and next.
October
- Take the PSAT and PLAN tests. • Attend college programs and workshops.
- If you might be interested in military academy or ROTC, get info now.
November
- Focus on doing well in your classes. The junior year is looked at closely by colleges.
- Set up a place and files for college materials (your crate!). Create the “CRATE” PDF: 36K
- Start familiarizing yourself with your college resources. December • Continue to think about the best college environment and major for you.
- Plan holiday visits to colleges. Don’t forget your journal! College journal PDF: 56K
- Talk to your ES about signing up for any applicable AP Test.
January
- Receive your PSAT/PLAN results and study the materials that come with them.
- Decide if you will need test prep for SAT/ACT and SAT II and schedule your test prep. February
- Begin college search in earnest. Identify the important factors in choosing a college for you. Two year or four year? Location? Public or private? Cost? Scholarship opportunities? Focus on your goals.
- Register for the April SAT I.
- Register for the April ACT.
- Continue with your SAT/ACT prep programs.
March
- Register for the April SAT if you haven’t already.
- Register for the April ACT if you haven’t already.
- Meet with the Forest College and Career Center to begin your “long list” of 20 colleges that you are exploring seriously.
- Research interesting summer programs, scholarships, jobs, volunteer work, and other summer opportunities.
- Visit colleges if able (don’t forget your journal!).
April
- Register for the May SAT I or SAT II
- Attend spring college info nights and weekends at colleges you are interested in.
- Attend spring college fairs. May • Take the SAT I or SAT II.
- Register for any June tests you need to take (SAT I, SAT II, or ACT)
- Take all appropriate AP exams. • Narrow your college list if possible and/or add new ideas.
- Decide which colleges to visit in the summer. June • Retake the SAT I or SAT II
- Take the ACT. • Finish the year strong with your classes. This is your most important semester.
- Finalize all summer plans.
Summer
- READ – you are often asked what you are reading in a college interview.
- Work on rough drafts of college essays and resume.
- Do something that none of your friends are doing, something that makes you stand out in a crowd.
- If you need to work, try to do an internship.
- Analyze and understand your ACT/SAT results and prepare to take the tests again in the fall.