Junior Year is a pivotal year in your school career
Start laying the foundation for your future with these tips:
Fall
- Take a rigorous course load to prepare you for your future career, consider Career Technical Education (CTE) courses for a jump start to your career.
- Sign up for the fall PSAT. Inquire with your school counselor for details.
- Meet with your counselor to discuss college admission requirements and evaluate if you are on track.
- Learn more about training options by talking to college admission representatives & reviewing their websites.
- Continue to be involved with school clubs or athletics. Working a part-time job is also a valuable experience.
- Continue to explore careers and how they are compatible with your strengths, interests & values.
- Update your Educational Development Plan (EDP) with your goals, career & college research.
- Research the training options: apprenticeships, trade schools, community colleges & universities.
- Attend college fairs & open houses.
Winter
- Meet with your counselor to select courses for senior year based on your career goals.
- Continue to research training options. Attend college fairs & open houses.
- Determine the training requirements for the careers that interest you.
- Create a list of colleges, trade schools and/or apprenticeships that interest you.
- Plan college visits in the second semester. Include schools that vary in size, environmental settings, and program offerings.
Spring
- Take the SAT seriously, which is offered by the school; it may be required for some college applications.
- Review some college applications for the colleges of interest. See what information is required. If they ask for letters of recommendation, you can discuss this with your school counselor & teachers before summer.
- Create or update your résumé with your list of paid and unpaid work experience. Include extracurricular activities, awards, & special skills. This will be helpful when you need to complete college applications in the fall of senior year.
- Research summer experiences on college campuses or apply for summer employment.
Summer
- Research career training options: apprenticeships, trade schools, community colleges & universities.
- Make your summer meaningful by volunteering, working, visiting college campuses, or participating in summer experiences on college campuses.
- Sign up and retake the SAT if you are unhappy with your score.
- Create a list of colleges you want to apply to, noting application due date, required tests, letters of recommendation, essays, etc.
- You can start a rough draft of your college applications as early as August.
