JUNIOR YEAR CHECKLIST
These are unprecedented times, but you still have control of your academic future!
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fall
Map out your junior year Buy a calendar and note all known events and activities for the year. Include ACT dates, test prep opportunities, campus visits, deadlines, and college fairs. Collect helpful information Google: "Junior Year Checklist" -- there are thousands of checklists for you to utilize. Sign-up for the ACT Class of 2020 monthly newsletter for helpful articles and important dates sent directly to your inbox. You should also download the Junior Year eBook on the ACT.org website to read helpful tips for the upcoming year. Focus on your favorites Continue to work hard and grow in the extracurricular activities that interest you most. Remember, colleges prefer candidates with leadership experience over multiple memberships. Talk with your college and career mentors Talk to your parents about your career goals, ask your teachers about their college and career experience, and meet with your counselor to learn more about the helpful resources they have to offer. Identify your interests Take free quizzes to pinpoint your unique skills and better understand how your strengths align with your plans after graduation. ACT offers one -> https://www.act.org/content/act/en/products-and-services/act-profile.html Give yourself an edge Consider taking the ACT in September and/or October. Take the test in the fall and use your score report to confirm your strengths and uncover areas for improvement. Knowing where you stand can help you better prepare for the next time you take the test. ACT.org has multiple study guides available for you! wINTER
Attend college fairs Be prepared when talking to college representatives. Identify important factors in choosing a college Two-year or four-year? Location? Cost? Atmosphere? Variety of study programs available? Entrance fee requirement? Create a college list to compare the colleges you’re interested in attending. Register for the right classes Meet with your College & Career Coach or your counselor to help schedule your core classes. Review your coursework and plan for the rest of high school. Take a close look at college prerequisites (particularly around foreign language and science) and make sure your schedule includes the classes you need for college. Take advantage of the Test Information Release If you take the December ACT, you can order a Test Information Release (TIR) and review all the questions and your answers (this opportunity is only available in December, April, and June). You can learn from your mistakes and improve your score the next time you take the ACT. Since it’ll be top of mind, you may want retake the ACT in February. sPRING
Go on college visits You can look at college websites all day long, but until you take the time to visit a campus and experience firsthand what it’s like to be a student, you won’t know if that college is the right choice for you. Read the Campus Visit eBook and print the Campus Visit Worksheet to get the most out of your visits. Identify your support network Getting help from the right people can help you better navigate the college admissions process. Talk to your family members, school counselor, and mentors about your future goals. This is also a great time to start asking for references and letters of recommendation. Consider taking the ACT in April or June If you haven’t taken the ACT yet, this is the time to do it. At this point in your high school experience, you should have completed all the coursework covered on the test. Many colleges send information about admission, advanced placement, scholarship opportunities, and special programs to prospective students during this time. (Remember, ACT offers a fee waiver program for students who are having trouble paying for the ACT test. Learn how to apply!) Get your name in the game By opting-in to the ACT Educational Opportunity Service (EOS), you can get discovered by more colleges. EOS is a free service that can broaden your college search and improve financial aid opportunities. Learn more about EOS. Get certified Whether you’re thinking about continuing your education after high school or launching a career, consider taking the ACT WorkKeys® Assessment and earning your National Career Readiness Certificate (NCRC). sUMMER
Retest 57% of students who take the test more than once increase their score. There’s now an ACT offered in July. This may be a great time for you to spend a few weeks doing test prep before taking the ACT again. Should you test again? View the infographic. Read more about reasons to retest. Start the application process Don’t wait until the last minute! Begin brainstorming essay ideas, contact potential references, and identify people you want to ask for a written recommendation. Use the Ultimate Guide to Applying for College eBook as a guide. Research admissions deadlines Your senior year is going to go fast. It’s important you understand how college admissions deadlines work before you miss an opportunity. * information provided by https://www.act.org/content/act/en/students-and-parents/juniors.html
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