Junior year

Everyone knows the Junior year is one of the most important years in one's educational experience. There are numerous decisions made during this year that can have a direct impact on the next 5-10 years of one's life!

Sure, there is a lot going on. You have begun to take more challenging classes that require more of your time and more of your brain-power. You may be involved in all sorts of extracurriculars, clubs and sports. And all of this while trying to hold a job and earn your driver's license. Time-management and self advocacy are going to become top priorities on your list of skills to master.

Obviously, there is going to be a lot going on, and a lot of growing during this year. Sometimes, you may just have to take it a day at a time to get through, but you still always have to be thinking about the future that lies ahead of you, and be thinking about how you are going to reach your goals.

Here are the five areas that high-school juniors must focus on to increase their chances of success in the post-secondary planning process and beyond.

1. Classes and Grades - The junior year selection of classes, and the grades you receive in them are very important because it is the last full year of grades that admissions representatives will review while deciding to admit you or not. You'll want to take more challenging classes, including some advanced-placement or other honors classes, if possible. Don't completely overwhelm yourself, but keep in mind the courses and grades you earn this year are extremely important. You will also want to get to know some of your favorite teachers, as you will be asking them for recommendations during your senior year.
2. College Planning - Believe it or not, but the junior year is THE time to begin your college search and to get organized for the whirlwind that is about to head your way. There are many factors to consider when choosing a college and this is the year to begin researching various colleges and narrowing down your search. By the end of the junior year you should have a list of no more than 10-12 colleges. There are several resources you can utilize to research colleges: Publications, the Internet, college fairs, alumni, friends etc. However, I firmly believe you should not commit to or choose a college without first getting yourself of the campus. You wouldn't buy a car without test driving it, and you shouldn't choose a college before visiting it! Sometimes that visit alone can tell you more than what you will read or find on the Internet.
3. Career Exploration - Careers that have sparked your interest may have a big impact on the colleges or post-secondary plans you consider. Throughout your time in high school you will have opportunities to engage in career exploration activities. You do not need to know what you "want to be when you grow up" just yet, but it is important to start thinking about the future. Take advantage of other opportunities like career shadowing, internships and exploring posts during the junior year to help you with this exploration.
4. Development of a Resume/Activities Sheet - If you haven't been doing this already, you need to begin documenting your education, extracurriculars, community service, leadership and accomplishments, and work experience. If you have room, you can include hobbies and interests. Gathering all the information is the hard part. Once you have everything you need, you can use the Resume Builder in Family Connection to help you design it. Counselors are available to help you with this if needed. You will need this document for your senior appointment in the fall of your senior year.

5. Standardized Tests - Many schools are trying to move away from the huge emphasis placed on standardized testing and to put the primary focus on course selection and learning. However, standardized testing still does play an important role in the post-secondary planning process. The junior year, is filled with standardized tests. Starting early in the year with the PSAT/NMSQT (Preliminary SAT/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test). This test is good practice for and a good indicator of how one might perform on the SAT. Students should first take the SAT and/or ACT in April-June of the Junior year. Students in Advanced Placement courses will also be preparing for AP exams in May and all students will be preparing for several Regents exams in June.

Below is an outline of what Juniors should be doing throughout the year. As always, if you have any questions, comments or concerns, please do not hesitate to call!

September/October

• Challenge yourself. Be sure you are taking the most rigorous course load you can handle
• Begin documenting your education, extracurriculars, community service, leadership and accomplishments and work experience in Naviance Family Connection
• If you think you might be a NCAA Division I or II Athlete, see your Counselor to make them aware and to ensure you are taking the proper sequence of courses
• Take the PSAT
• Attend the Marketplace Mall College Fair and attend a few college visits when representatives come to the school
• Explore opportunities for college classes at U of R or RIT. See your counselor for details

November

• Sign up for Job Shadowing or join an Exploring Post
• Begin thinking about what your post-secondary plans might be
• Academic Progress Checks after Q1 - Keep focused on your academics
• Begin having conversations with teachers about what courses/level they are interested in taking next year

December

• Meet with your Counselor to go over your PSAT results
• EMCC Visitation Day - For Juniors interested in attending senior year only
• Begin to generate criteria for investigating colleges
• Look ahead and begin to map out dates for college visits and standardized testing
• Financial Aid Night (attend in Junior or Senior year)

January

• Annual Guidance Reviews: Individual appointments with students to discuss post-secondary plans and course selections for Junior year. Contact the Counselor if you would like to be a part of this discussion
• Utilize the College and Career Center to gather information about colleges and careers
• Check the Counseling Connection for potential scholarship opportunities for Juniors.
• Academic Progress Checks after Q2 - Keep focused on your academics

February

• Annual Guidance Reviews Continue
• Visit colleges during February Recess
• If interested in the military, meet with the various branches during their lunchtime visits
• If interested in any of the military academies (The Navel Academy, West Point etc.) see your counselor to discuss application procedures

March

• Finalize schedule choices for your Senior year. Remember to challenge yourself
• Explore Opportunities for college classes at U of R or RIT. See your Counselor for details
• Attend the National College Fair at the Rochester Riverside Convention Center
• Utilize resources and opportunities the College and Career Center has to offer:
  • Very Large Lending Library
  • Career Exploration
  • College Search/College Major Search
  • Scholarship Search
  • Workshops/Conferences
  • College/Career Related field trips
• Register to take the SAT and/or ACT - Pay close attention to registration deadlines
• Continue updating your resume/activity sheet
• Begin preparing for the SAT and/or ACT

April

• If registered, take the April SAT or ACT
• Visit Colleges during Spring Recess
• Continue to prepare for the SAT and/or ACT
• Academic Progress Checks after Q3

May

• Attend college nights and college fairs in the area
• Continue to refine your list of priorities to assist you n the college search
• Start to think about teachers and other adults who might write letters of recommendation for you

June

• Study hard to prepare for final exams! Remember, what you do this year can directly impact your post secondary plans
• Continue to refine your college list
• Summer School Registration

July/August

• The fall of your senior year will be a busy time. Accomplish as much as you can over the summer so you can focus on academics in September
• Athletes who plan on competing at NCAA Division I or II colleges should see their counselors regarding registering with the NCAA Eligibility Center.
• Continue to visit colleges