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Junior-Year Calendar

FALL

  1. Register in October for the PSAT/NMSQT through your Guidance Office or Career Center.
  2. Carefully examine your abilities, interests, academic motivation, and future goals.
  3. Investigate the different types of post-secondary education options available (e.g.four-year colleges, two-year colleges, vocational/technical schools, etc.).
  4. Make a list of things you feel are important in choosing a college (e.g. size, location, etc.).
  5. Attend meetings given by college representatives at your school and elsewhere (e.g., college expos).
  6. Find out what college-admissions resources available at your school and take full advantage of them.
  7. Pursue extracurricular activities which will enable you to demonstrate good citizenship and develop leadership abilities. Find activities that you are truly interested in and can pursue fully. Colleges won't be very impressed if you've only put it a few hours of community service for the sake of "polishing" your application.

WINTER

  1. Start to research specific colleges that may be a good fit for you. Read college guides and catalogs at your school's Career Center or the public library. Visit nearby campuses whenever possible, and talk to current students. Also, talk to seniors who are currently going through the application process.
  2. Find out about scholarship opportunities.
  3. Work hard on your academics. If your grades have been less than perfect, now is the time to improve them.

SPRING

  1. Write to receive catalogs from colleges of your choice. Carefully study the different admissions requirements for each college.
  2. If you plan to apply to the University of California or highly competitive private colleges, we strongly recommend that you take the SAT or ACT, as well as the SAT Subject Tests you will need, in May and June of your junior year. This will give you time to study if you need to retake any of these tests. Be aware that certain SAT II subject tests are offered only a few times a year.
  3. Find out the dates for the college entrance exams. Register during February or March if you plan to take the ACT or SAT in April or May. You can get information booklets on these tests from your school's Guidance Office.
  4. Sign up for challenging classes for your senior year. Colleges look for indications of self-motivation and potential from each student.

SUMMER

This is a great time for you to improve your SAT and other study skills with Elite review programs. In addition, continue your research on colleges. Talk to former students of various colleges, and visit several colleges of your choice. If you are considering out-of-state schools, this may be the perfect time to visit them.