College Planning Calendar For Juniors 

FALL:

• Start with you:  Make lists of your abilities, social/cultural preferences, and personal qualities.  List things you may want to study and do in college. 
• Learn about colleges.  Look at their websites ( has links).  Talk to friends, family, teachers, and recent grads of your school that are now in college.  List college features that interest you.  www.collegeboard.com
• Resource check: Visit the counseling office and meet the counselors there.  Is there a college night for students and families?  When will college representatives visit your school?  (Put the dates in your calendar.)  Examine catalogs and guides.
• At school, sign up early to take the PSAT/NMSQT, which is given in October.  If you plan to ask for testing accommodations (because of a disability), be sure your eligibility is approved by the College Board and Special Education team.  Check with your school counselor.
• Make a file to manage your college search, testing, and application data
• If appropriate, (for example, if you’re interested in drama, music, art, sports, etc.), start to gather material for a portfolio.
• With your family, start to learn about financial aid.  Read the Department of Education’s Funding your Education (about federal aid programs).  Use Getting Financial Aid published by the College Board and the financial aid calculator at to estimate how much aid you might receive.www.collegeboard.com

WINTER: 

• Make a family appointment with your counselor to discuss ways to improve your college preparation and selection processes.
• Sign up to take the ACT and/or SAT at least once in the spring and again next fall. Register online or through the school.  Fee waivers are available with financial need. To prepare, download practice booklets from: (for the ACT) and (for the SAT).www.collegeboard.comwww.act.org
• Begin a search for financial aid sources.  National sources include the College Board Scholarship Handbook and electronic sources. Also check out Lake City’s Guidance Webpage.  There will be several Financial Aid links. Don’t overlook local and state aid sources (ask a counselor or check your public library.
• If you’re in Advanced Placement Program (AP classes), register for AP Exams, given in May.  You an earn college credit for courses not given in the AP program by taking CLEP tests at school.  See to learn more.www.collegeboard.com

SPRING:

• Visit some local colleges- large, small, public, and private.  Get a feel for what works for you.   Attend college fairs, too.
• Scan local newspapers to see what civic, cultural, and service organizations in your area   award financial aid to graduating seniors.  Start a file.
• Develop a list of 15-20 colleges that attract you.  Request view books and information about   financial aid and academic programs that interest you.  Visit some colleges over your spring break.
• If you are considering military academics or ROTC scholarships, contact your counselor before leaving school for the summer.   If you want a four-year ROTC scholarship, you should begin the application process in the summer before your senior year.

SUMMER:

• If you are an athlete planning to continue playing a sport in college, register with the NCAA Clearinghouse www.ncaaclearinghouse.com or NAIA.
• Find a full-time or part-time job, or participate in a camp or summer college program.
• Visit colleges.  Take campus tours and at colleges you are serious about, make appointments to have interviews with the admissions counselors.
• Create a resume- a record of accomplishments, activities, and work experiences since you started high school.
• Complete applications for colleges.  Check application dates – large universities may have early dates or rolling admissions.