What Juniors can do Now
September to November
Take the PSAT—Take the PSAT as a junior to qualify for the National Merit Scholarship program.
Take a practice/proctored ACT
Prepare to take one test at the end of Junior year, and again in late summer or early fall of senior year if you are unhappy with the results. Remember, many colleges are test optional through 2023. Check out Fair Test.org for a complete list.
Think about what you want in a college--Why you want to go--what you are looking for?
Think about who you are? What do you contribute to your community? What excites you academically? Or outside of school?
Learn more about colleges—Use online search tools, attend college fairs, speak with college reps, and ask friends already in college for their thoughts on different colleges to begin formulating an opinion of where you want to go. Continue this process throughout junior and senior year.
Learn about admission requirements for each college you are considering.
December to February
Make visits to local college campuses—Take time in the fall and spring of your junior year to visit local colleges. Even if these aren't schools you want to attend, this will provide you with an initial sense of what college is like.
Develop a Resume - Track your activities and awards, quantify, and describe what you do, what you have learned, what you like and don’t like.
Make a list of target colleges—Identify 10 to 15 colleges of interest with the goal of having several schools at varying levels of selectivity options. Continue updating this list throughout junior year and at the beginning of senior year.
List should include
1-2 Likely--like the school and will go there if you receive no financial aid
2-4 Target--50/50
1-2 Reach--chances are slimmer but you have a shot
If possible, set up appointments at your top target colleges—Either virtually or in person. Check the website to see what is offered to visitors.
Search for traditional scholarships—Once you are midway through your junior year, it's time to begin searching for more traditional scholarships that are specifically made available to students in their senior year of high school. Continue searching throughout junior and senior year. Your HS counselor may know of local organizations that give scholarships to local students. Not many students apply for these, and any amount is helpful.