JuniorYearPlanning

=**// Junior Year Planning //**= = =

** FALL: **
ü Meet with your counselor to ensure that you are on track for college with your course selections. ü Register for the College Board’s Preliminary Scholastic Assessment (PSAT) exam on October 15, 2011 at the Clark High School. Scores are important, as they are used to qualify for National Merit Scholarship Competition and the National Achievement program; plus it’s a preliminary to the SAT and a great preparation for the ACT (both college entrance exams). Sophomores can also sign up and take this test for practice; however their scores will not count unless they take it their junior year. You must register by September 23, 2011 with Mrs. Knuppe and a payment of $14.00 is required (checks or money orders can be made to CHS). ü Start researching colleges! ü You may want to research military academies and colleges. Review websites and meet with military representatives when they visit your school or visit the schools. Most military academies and colleges start the admissions process earlier than traditional colleges and universities. ü You will be taking the ASVAB on October 13, 2011. Not only is it the military entrance exam, it is also a great career research tool. ü Make a list of colleges you would like to attend and contact them to send you more information. ü Start searching for scholarships! Register with scholarship search engines such as [|www.fastweb.com], [|www.StudentEdge.com] , [|www.brokescholar.com] , etc. ü STAY ACTIVE! While your grades in high school are important, colleges also look at what you do outside the classroom. They like to see that you are involved in sports, student government, community activities, etc. and that you take on leadership roles when available. ü Plan to attend College Planning Days in Watertown on October 3, 2011.
 * Keep in mind that your junior year is the last complete year that colleges may review, so it’s important to challenge yourself academically and maintain good grades.
 * You can do this by reviewing college catalogs, websites, visiting with college representatives that come to Clark High School, attending college fairs, etc.
 * When researching colleges be sure to look at their admission requirements, to make sure you are meeting the admission criteria in regards to course work, tests (ACT, SAT, SAT Subject Tests), etc. See your counselor if you have questions.
 * Most of the scholarships you apply for will be during your senior year, but there are some that are open for you to start applying to now!

** WINTER: **
ü Attend the Financial Aid Parent Night in January at Clark High School. (official date TBA) This meeting will give you and your parents’ useful information in filling out the FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid). You will receive other information on financial aid pertinent to state, public and private colleges, out of state colleges, opportunities in the military and other financial aid resources. ü Continue researching colleges/careers/military options. ü Continue searching for scholarships. ü Begin to make plans to take the ACT and/or the SAT in the spring. Meet with Mrs. Knuppe to discuss the pros and cons of taking these exams in the spring versus waiting until April, May or June to take the exam. START PRACTICING!
 * Go to [|www.act.org] to get information on test dates and to register for the ACT exam.
 * Go to [|www.collegeboard.com] to get information on test dates and to register for the SAT exam.

** SPRING: **
ü Spring is the college visitation period. Many colleges have “Junior Days,” so make plans to attend. You should call ahead and ask for appointments with departments of financial aid, admissions, academic advisors, professors, and other students. The guidance office has a list of questions and other agenda items that you can take with you to help assess which college will best meet your educational and career needs. ü Take the ACT and/or SAT exams. You should be looking to take the exam in at least April or June, so you have time to take it again fall of your senior year, if needed. You should be practicing and preparing for the test. There are numerous websites that offer free test prep, check out the Useful Resources link on Mrs. Knuppe’s wikispace. ü Continue searching for sources of scholarships. ü If you are enrolled in Advanced Placement courses, take the AP tests. ü Meet with Mrs. Knuppe to discuss your senior year, courses that you are taking, colleges that you are considering, to help ensure that you are squared away with what you need going into your final year of high school. ü Begin work on your resume. The school(s) to which you will apply to in the fall will already know your grades and test scores, but they need to know more about you. Your resume should include school activities, community activities, community service, sports, awards and recognition, hobbies and work experience. ü Begin thinking of teachers, counselors or other adults who you would want to write letters of recommendation for you. Even if you are applying to colleges that may not require a letter of recommendation, you may run across scholarships that do, so it is always good to have a couple letters of recommendation ready.