- Hazleton Area High School
- 11th grade - Junior Information
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JUNIOR YEAR TIMELINE
September
- Become reacquainted with your account on PA Career Zone or create an account.
- Prepare for the PSAT which is administered in mid October.
- Practice at the PSAT Prep Center: http://www.collegeboard.com/student/testing/psat/prep.html.
- Take the practice test in the PSAT/NMSQT (National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test) Student Bulletin received when you pay for the test.
- Get more involved with your extracurricular activities especially those that demonstrate your passion.
- Maintain a good/excellent academic record all year.
October
- Take the PSAT/NMSQT, which can qualify you to receive a National Merit Scholarship. Be sure to sign up for Student Search Service to hear from colleges and scholarship programs.
- Attend College Fairs in your area. (Check the Guidance Office bulletin board, local papers, and on-line for information).
- Make lists of your abilities, preferences and personal qualities. List things you may want to study and do in college.
- Jump start your college planning by reading about majors and careers (check resources in the Guidance Office and material online.
- Use “College Search” at: www.collegeboard.com to find colleges with the right characteristics.
November
- Pay attention to assignments and keep your grades up.
- Begin thinking about Financial Aid (talk to your counselor, attend college/financial aid night, and use financial aid calculators (www.finaid.org/calculators/) to estimate your aid eligibility and college costs.
- Maintain extracurricular involvement and community service projects.
December
- Use your PSAT/NMSQT Score Report Plus for personalized feedback on your academic skills, and to help you get ready for college and for the SAT, which you will take in the spring.
- Prepare for the SAT by taking a class, working with printed material and/or by taking a free full-length official practice test at: www.collegeboard.com. Be sure to sign up for “The Official SAT Question of the Day” for daily practice.
- Find out about college first hand from college friends who are home for the holidays.
January
- Search for colleges/majors/careers online that match your skills and interests.
- Take Interest inventory tests (look on guidance website for a few) or login into your Bridges.com account for more searches.
- Plan your spring SAT testing schedule. You may take either the SAT or up to three SAT Subject Tests on one test day
- Speak with teachers and get extra material to practice for the subject tests if you plan to take them
February
- Register for the March SAT if you have done sufficient preparation for the exam. If not, plan to take the SAT I in May or June.
- Plan to visit colleges this spring during President’s week or spring recess when colleges are in session.
- Schedule an interview with admissions officers when you visit campuses.
- Start to explore your college options based on which college characteristics are important to you.
- Develop an initial list of colleges that interest you. You can narrow it down later.
March
- Request admissions and financial aid information from the colleges on your list.
- Ask your counselor and investigate if the ACT test might be appropriate for you.
- Prepare for the AP exams that you will be taking in May.
- Attend your individual college planning meeting with your counselor.
- Begin thinking about senior year courses. Remember to challenge yourself yet leave time for additional activities.
April
- Register for the May/June SAT /SAT II Subject Tests and/or the ACT.
- Search for summer jobs and/or enrichment programs.
- Attend local College Fairs.
- Continue to visit colleges during spring recess.
May
- Take the AP, SAT , SAT II, and ACT exams as appropriate.
- Continue to search for summer activities.
June
- Speak with teachers about writing letters of recommendation for you.
- Take the SAT , SAT II or ACT if appropriate.
July/August
- Visit colleges, take tours, and have interviews.
- Begin preparing a draft of a college essay.
- Continue to refine your list of schools.