MAKE a SPECIAL FOLDER for COLLEGES. Keep Every Thing Connected with Your College Planning

JUMP RIGHT INTO YOUR COLLEGE SEARCH. Brainstorm list of characteristics important to you such as location, size of school, majors offered, extra-curricular activities available. Also consider the academic rigor a school may demand. College Board’s College Matchmaker, Bridges and other online college search programs can help you make a list of schools that match your criteria. Determine what is required to gain admissions to the colleges of your choice. Make notes.

MAKE A SPECIAL FOLDER FOR COLLEGES. Keep every thing connected with your college planning here, information, schedules, forms, usernames, passwords, and notes.

Add new report cards, awards, test scores, and activities to your files. Work on portfolios, if you are interested in the arts. Keep track of writing samples you do during this year.

LEARN ABOUT FINANCIAL AID and how it works. Keep an eye out for scholarships. Register with Fastweb, see our website for more resources. CollegeBoard offers an EFC (estimated family contribution) predictor online.

VISIT WITH COLLEGE REPRESENTATIVESat your High school at information sessions offered around town.

ATTEND COLLEGE FAIRS. Ask questions. Attend college events. Check out websites early for dates and times. Write, telephone or email for information from colleges. Sign up for more information online.

PLAN COLLEGE VISITSduring your holidays, make appointments to visit with admissions, financial aid, and housing.

TAKE THE PSAT/NMSQT. Check yes on Student Search Service. Sign up for a free account on College Board, if you haven’t done so already. Obtain exam schedules for the SAT/ACT. Go to “My Organizer” on and register online for a spring exam in March or April.

ATHLETES: Send coaches a letter of interest, an athletic resume and a play schedule before your “season”.

MILITARYACADEMY– check your representatives’ websites to see what to do about obtaining nominations.

STUDY FOR THE SAT/ACT-practice exams, prep courses, online practice, and books with tests are all good methods. Take practice exams often.

MAKE THIS YEAR COUNT– put in 120% effort into your classes. The end of the junior year transcript is usually the one college admissions and scholarship sponsors see. Ask for help when you need it.

DEVELOP GOOD STUDY SKILLS, and seek help when you need it. These are good habits for succeeding in college.

READ, READ, READ: Read books just for fun, and stretch yourself by reading some books from the recommended lists for college bound students. Read instruction manuals about things that interest you. Read books about careers. Read the newspaper.

STAY INVOLVED IN ACTIVITIESthat you care about in school, out of school and during the summer.

SEEK ROLES, RESPONSIBILITIES OR POSITIONS THAT CHALLENGE YOU. Keep track.

CONTINUE “NETWORKING” with your friends, family, community and school about your college goals.