The Junior Year Calendar

September

• Begin to think about your reasons for going to college. What are your goals?
• Start to plan your extra-curricular projects for this year and next.

October

• Take the PSAT and PLAN tests.
• Attend college programs and workshops.
• If you might be interested in military academy or ROTC, get info now.

November

• Focus on doing well in your classes. The junior year is looked at closely by colleges.
• Set up a place and files for college materials (your crate!).
  Create the “CRATE” PDF: 36K
• Start familiarizing yourself with your college resources.

December

• Continue to think about the best college environment and major for you.
• Plan holiday visits to colleges.  Don’t forget your journal!
  College journal PDF: 56K
• Talk to your ES about signing up for any applicable AP Test.

January

• Receive your PSAT/PLAN results and study the materials that come with them.
• Decide if you will need test prep for SAT/ACT and SAT II and schedule your test prep.

February

• Begin college search in earnest. Identify the important factors in choosing a college for you. Two year or four year? Location? Public or private? Cost? Scholarship opportunities? Focus on your goals.
• Register for the April SAT I.
• Register for the April ACT.
• Continue with your SAT/ACT prep programs.

March

• Register for the April SAT if you haven’t already.
• Register for the April ACT if you haven’t already.
• Meet with the Forest College and Career Center to begin your “long list” of 20 colleges that you are exploring seriously.
• Research interesting summer programs, scholarships, jobs, volunteer work, and other summer opportunities.
• Visit colleges if able (don’t forget your journal!).

April

• Register for the May SAT I or SAT II
• Attend spring college info nights and weekends at colleges you are interested in.
• Attend spring college fairs.

May

• Take the SAT I or SAT II.
• Register for any June tests you need to take (SAT I, SAT II, or ACT)
• Take all appropriate AP exams.
• Narrow your college list if possible and/or add new ideas.
• Decide which colleges to visit in the summer.

June

• Retake the SAT I or SAT II
• Take the ACT.
• Finish the year strong with your classes. This is your most important semester.
• Finalize all summer plans.

Summer

• READ – you are often asked what you are reading in a college interview.
• Work on rough drafts of college essays and resume.
• Do something that none of your friends are doing, something that makes you stand out in a crowd.
• If you need to work, try to do an internship.
• Analyze and understand your ACT/SAT results and prepare to take the tests again in the fall.

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