FALL

  • Continue challenging yourself academically with higher level AP, dual credit, or advanced classes.
  • Keep your grades up. Junior year grades are the last ones some schools will see before making an admissions decision.
  • Stay consistent with your non-­academic extracurricular activities if your values and priorities haven’t changed. If they have, try something new. Continue to look for ways to explore and deepen your interests in these activities. Try a leadership role if you haven’t already.
  • Continue to update your resume of with any new activities, accomplishments, or leadership roles.
  • Start your college search by doing some of the following activities:
  • Attend a local college fair and a few college admission rep presentations.
  • Explore your college interests by updating your preferences on CollegeVine.com.
  • Plan serious college visits with your family.
  • Take a career assessment and check to see that the schools you are interested in offer majors in the area that you want to study. See the Careers page of this website for some exploration ideas. 
  • Talk to your academic advisor about some schools that might be a good fit for you​
  • Take the PSAT/NSMQT in October. This test qualifies students for the National Merit Scholarship.
  • ​If you are an athlete:
    • ​Double-check that  your classes meet the NCAA Clearinghouse requirements 
    • Complete online athletic recruitment forms for each college you're considering. You'll find these on the college's website under "athletics."
    • Once you’ve completed the online recruitment forms, make your sports resume and recruitment videos.
    • Spread out your correspondence with coaches by sending the resumes and video a few weeks after you complete the online forms.
  • If you are a fine or performing arts student: 
    • ​Sign up for Performing & Visual Arts College Fairs.
    • Create an admissions requirements spreadsheet for fine and performing arts programs.
    • You most likely need to create a portfolio and audition materials, so spend junior year working on pieces.
  • Research and apply to scholarships—at least one per week!

Winter & Spring

  • Investigate and apply for summer experiences.
  • Register for senior year classes. Remember colleges will want to see a strong senior year course load including five academic core classes.
  • Continue visiting colleges. Use local colleges to sample certain types of schools (single-sex, small liberal arts, larger university, etc)
  • Research and apply to scholarships—at least one per week!
  • Use your resume or the senior brag sheet below to request letters of recommendation from two academic teachers from junior year.
  • Testing
    • Select testing dates. Most likely your first ACT or SAT will take place between December and May.
    • Take the AP exams in May. Send your scores to your top colleges.​
  • If you are an athlete: Send your sports resume and video to college coaches and fill out the athletic recruitment surveys on the college websites.
  • If you are a fine & performing arts student:
    • Explore how the audition and portfolio process works for college admission.
    • Build your portfolios and audition videos.

Summer

  • Participate in summer experiences (research, reading, internships, fun stuff).
  • Update your college application tracker (linked above).
    • ​​Refine and finalize your college list. Be sure it reflects a balance of admission probabilities (likely, possible, and reach schools). 
    • Research and write down the type of applications required for each school on your list, as these vary. 
    • Research and write down the admission requirements and deadlines for schools on your list. 
    • Research to see if an interview is offered or required at each school. Link the appropriate appointment page. 
    • Visit more colleges. Write down the unexpected pros and cons of each school. 
  • Research and apply to scholarships—at least one per week!
  • Complete the Common Application, Coalition Application, or ApplyTexas for the schools that you selected. 
    • Apply to 1-2 schools that are considered "Reach" or "Hard Target" 
    • Apply to 2-4 schools that are considered "Match" or "Target"
    • Apply to 2 schools that are considered "Safety"
    • If given a choice, use the Common Application or Coalition Application over the ApplyTexas Application. It will allow your counselor to send your documents more efficiently. 
  • Write the Common Application personal statement or Essay A of the ApplyTexas application.