Maintaining your grades during
your junior year is important!
Be sure that every course you take helps prepare you for college.
Colleges will look at coursework taken and expect rigor
(challenging work) in your choices. Advanced Placement (AP) and
honors courses help prepare a student for college. |
Successful Study
Techniques |
Last chance to apply for
Oklahoma's Promise! If you didn't apply in eighth, ninth,
or tenth grade, visit OKpromise.org to sign up for this scholarship program. |
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Make sure you're challenging
yourself academically.
Colleges will consider how difficult your courses are. |
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| Keep working on your Individual
Career Academic Plan. ICAP activities will help you explore your
skills, interests and values as you make plans for life after high
school. |
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| Now is the time to really focus
your career and college research. |
Career Finder
College Matching Assistant |
Do a thorough review.
Ask for a copy of your transcript and evaluate yourself. Look at
your class rank and GPA. Look for any gaps or low points and seek
advice from your counselor on ways to improve these areas. |
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As you research education and
career options, share your discoveries with your
family.
Keep talking. Continue your conversations with your guidance
counselor, teachers, family members or other trusted adults about
your plans after high school. Talk with family and friends about
their educational choices. |
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| Stay involved in school
and community activities. This looks good on your resume for
scholarships and college applications. |
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Talk to your guidance
counselor (or teachers, if you don't have access to a guidance
counselor) about the following:
| Availability of and enrollment in AP
classes. |
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| Concurrent enrollment opportunities:
taking college-level courses before you graduate from high
school. |
Concurrent Enrollment |
| Schedules and important deadlines/dates
for the PSAT, ACT, Advanced Placement (AP) exams and SAT. |
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| Ask which of these exams would be the
best fit for your future - and sign up for those tests. Remember,
you can always change your mind. |
Getting Ready for College |
| How to start getting ready for the
exams! |
Test Prep
Getting Ready for College
What it Takes to Ace the SATs |
| Review your academic record with your
counselor and talk about ways to improve. |
Your Plan of Study |
| Find out the admission requirements for
the colleges you're interested in. Do your research, and be sure to
learn about any additional requirements besides GPA and test
scores. |
College Matching Assistant |
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| Search for scholarships.
There are numerous scholarships for high school juniors, you just
have to do the research. Try to apply for 1-2 scholarships per
week. |
Scholarship
Search |
| Obtain schedules and forms for the
ACT and Advanced Placement (AP) exams and/or the SAT.
Research the requirements of the colleges you're interested in to
learn about admission deadlines and which tests to take. Your
school district will provide a free ACT or SAT in the spring, but
you may want to register to take a second exam this year. |
Test
Prep |
Register for the PSAT exam offered
in October.
Remember that when you take the PSAT in your junior year, the
scores will count towards the National Achievement Program (and it
is good practice for the SAT). |
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| Start a file for college catalogs
and other admissions information. |
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| Keep an eye out for college nights
at any schools in your area you may want to attend. |
College
Fairs |
| Take the PSAT if you registered
for it this month. |
Test
Prep |
| Visit colleges, talk to
recruiters, and learn about programs offered. Narrow your
list of colleges to include a few colleges with requirements at
your current GPA, a few with requirements above your current GPA,
and at least one with requirements below your GPA. |
College Matching Assistant
Get Recruited |
| Begin scheduling interviews with
admissions counselors. |
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If possible, schedule tours of the
school grounds on the same days.
You and your parent(s) may want to visit the colleges and
universities during spring break and summer vacation so you don't
have to miss school. |
Explore
Schools |
You will receive your scores from
the October PSAT if you took it that month.
Depending on the results, you may want to consider signing up for
free online SAT prep. |
Test
Prep |
If you're choosing your senior
year classes, look for classes that will give you a strong
transcript.
You'll also want to look for classes that will fit your college
study plans. |
Your Plan of Study |
Consider looking for a summer job
or internship.
Not only can you earn money for college, you can also learn
valuable skills. |
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Continue with your campus tours
online or in person.
You want to be narrowing down your list of potential
colleges. |
Explore
Schools |
If possible, schedule tours of
campuses on the same days.
Your family may want to visit the colleges and universities during
spring break and summer vacation so you don't have to miss
school. |
Explore
Schools |
| Take the April ACT test if you
registered for this month. |
Test
Prep |
| Take AP exams for any AP subjects
you studied in high school. |
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Talk to teachers about writing
letters of recommendation for you.
Think about what you would like to include in these and politely
ask your teachers if they can help. |
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| Add any new report cards, test
scores, honors or awards from the year to your file or
resume. |
Resume Builder |
| Take the ACT and SAT tests if
you're registered. If there is one subject area you need to improve
on, focus on studying for that area to help increase your
score. |
What it Takes to Ace the SATsTest
Prep |
| Continue with your college visits.
Call ahead for appointments with the financial aid, admissions and
academic advisors at the colleges in which you are most
interested. |
Explore
Schools |
| Be productive. Find
opportunities in the summer that will enhance your college and
scholarship resume. |
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| Continue to work on your
application essays and review the application procedures for the
colleges you plan to apply to. |
College Application Essay Tips |
Decide if you are going to apply
under any early decision or early action programs.
This requires you to submit your applications early, typically
between August and December of your senior year. |
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| Read your college mail and send
reply cards to your schools of interest. Many colleges allow you to
submit interest information online as well. |
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