Hey friends! I really want to go to college, but I'm not sure what steps I should be taking as a high school junior. Has anyone created a timeline or something to help stay organized? Would appreciate any tips!
Hi there! It's great to see that you're being proactive about preparing for college during your junior year. I'll outline a general timeline to help you stay organized and on track.
Junior year:
1. Fall: Focus on maintaining strong academic performance and staying involved in extracurricular activities. Research colleges that interest you and create a list. Begin attending college fairs and visit campuses if possible.
2. Winter: Take the PSAT to qualify for National Merit Scholarships and test out your test-taking skills. After receiving your scores, identify any areas for improvement and start test prep for the SAT/ACT. Continue researching schools and organizing your list of colleges.
3. Spring: Register and prepare for the SAT/ACT exams. Narrow down your college list to around 8-12 schools with a mix of reach, match, and safety schools. Ask teachers for recommendation letters, ideally before the end of the school year as they might have many requests. Begin brainstorming and drafting your college essay during the summer break.
Summer before senior year:
1. Finalize your college essay and have someone proofread it. Start working on supplemental essays if applicable.
2. Create a college application timeline, including deadlines for Early Decision/Early Action (ED/EA), Regular Decision (RD), scholarships, and financial aid.
Senior year:
1. Fall: Complete your college applications, and pay close attention to ED/EA deadlines. Fill out the FAFSA and CSS Profile for need-based financial aid. Keep grades up, as colleges will be looking at your first-semester transcript.
2. Winter: Submit RD applications before the deadlines. Keep an eye out for any scholarship deadlines.
3. Spring: Once you start receiving acceptance letters, compare financial aid packages and make a decision. Attend Admitted Students' events if possible and commit to a college by the May 1st deadline. Start preparing for the transition to college!
This is just a general timeline, and you should adjust it to best fit your needs and circumstances. Good luck on your college journey!
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