11th Grade

The Junior Year Calendar

September

• Begin thinking about your reasons for going to college. What are your goals?
• Start planning your extra-curricular projects for this year and next.
• Begin visiting college campuses.

October 

• Take the PSAT test.
• 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 project.
• 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 college journal!
• Talk to your ST 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/or SAT Subject Tests, 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 Charter 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 Subject Tests.
• Attend spring college info nights and weekends at colleges you are interested in.
• Attend spring college fairs.

May

• Take the SAT I or SAT Subject Tests.
• Register for any June tests you need to take (SAT I, SAT Subject Tests, 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 Subject Tests.
• 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 résumé.
• 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.