MEET WITH YOUR COUNSELOR: make sure you are on track for graduation next year. Choose challenging courses that will contribute to your college interests.
NARROW COLLEGE CHOICES DOWN TO ABOUT SIX: two reach schools, two realistic, and two safety schools that you know you can get into.
MAKE A LIST OF TEACHERS AND COMMUNITY MEMBERS to ask for letters of recommendation. Let them know you may be asking for letters, and give them more information about yourself.
UPDATE FILES.
ADD TO COLLEGE INFORMATION.
ADD TO FINANCIAL INFORMATION.
START MAKING A LIST OF POTENTIAL SCHOLARSHIP SOURCES. Most scholarships come from the University itself, look at financial aid and departmental online sites of each target college. Keep track of the deadlines.
CONTINUE VISITING COLLEGES.
SIGN UP FOR ‘MY ROAD’ on College Board. It’s free to PSAT examinees.
REGISTER FOR AP EXAMS, SAT/ACT and/or SATII exams.
REGISTER WITH THE NCAA CLEARING HOUSEat the end of your junior year. Make or update your athletic resume. Keep in touch with the colleges that interest you.
ROTC Scholarships? APPLY THIS SPRING OR EARLY SUMMER. (Decisions are made late summer of your senior year).
STUDY FOR THE SAT/ACT- practice exams, prep courses, online practice, and books with tests are all good methods. Take practice exams often. Use your PSAT results to help you know what areas need more work.
STUDY FOR YOUR AP EXAMS. College Board has the AP prep center, pick up an AP study guide and when you sign up for the exam, there will be a study booklet.
READ, READ, READ. Read as much as you can. Start a summer reading list, ask our librarians or your teachers for ideas.
LOOK FOR SUMMER ACTIVITIESthat give you a glimpse of the college experience. (check colleges on your list for summer programs)
OR LOOK FOR AN INTERNSHIPor job in your interest area.
YOU MAY GET AHEAD IN THE FINANCIAL AID PROCESS: Obtain your FAFSA pin numbers now, and file the FAFSA the same time you do your taxes this year. Then simply update the FAFSA next January. You will need to update it annually.