Junior Year

Tips for a successful junior year

• Research post-secondary options.  These include 2-year colleges, 4-year colleges, certificate programs, specialized training programs or the military.
• Schedule college visits throughout the junior year.
• Make sure that you are enrolled in courses that meet minimum college requirements.
• Consider taking the PSAT in the fall to be entered in the National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test (NMSQT) competition.
• Begin to familiarize yourself with the FAFSA process.
• Attend District 99 college planning presentations for parents and students.
• Begin to identify colleges that suit your needs.  These include cost, size, location, majors, financial opportunities, and social/cultural activities.
• Take on leadership roles in the clubs and sports and/or volunteering in the community.
• Check on the nomination process for military academies if you are interested.  You must contact a local state-elected representative before applying to most military academies.
• Practice for the SAT and ACT.  CollegeBoard and ACT student have free test-prep, such as Khan Academy for the SAT.
• Finalize your list of colleges and make sure to include "reach, reasonable, and safety net" schools in your list.