Junior year is a big year in the college admissions world. Rigor of course load and grades really do count.
The following is a suggested college admissions calendar for the junior year. Read it carefully so that you are informed about what to do and what is available to you as you go through this important year in high school.
September
-Concentrate on doing well in your classes. Remember that junior and senior year grades are often weighed more heavily than freshman and sophomore year grades in the college admission process.
-Visit with college admission representatives when they visit Briarcrest during Activity Period. They are included in daily announcements..
-Begin thinking about preferences in four-year colleges and universities, such as location, size, public, private, liberal arts, coed or single-sex, activities, majors, housing, scholarships and financial.
-Do a general search using criteria you may be considering. The Naviance program has a great search engine for developing a prospective college list.
-Begin preparing for the PSAT and SAT I. You may read preparation books on your own or visit these online resources: http://www.collegeboard.com/student/testing/psat/prep.html or http://www.collegeboard.com/student/testing/sat/prep_one/prep_one.html
-Consider registering for the October ACT
October
-Take the PSAT. Although the sophomore year PSAT was given for practice, the junior year scores may qualify you for National Merit Semifinalist status and make you eligible for possible National Merit scholarships. Mark on your PSAT answer sheet that you wish to receive materials from colleges. At that point, schools will send you information if your PSAT score suggests that you would qualify for admission.
-Continue to meet college reps during Activity period and attend their information sessions throughout the semester.
November
-Keep up the good work in your classes.
-Explore schools by reading guide books, looking at brochures in the Guidance Office, and accessing information on the Internet and Naviance. If you have the resources to do so, begin going on campus tours. If you cannot go out of town, consider looking at the college campuses in the Memphis area to see what type of campus may be the best fit for you! CBU, Memphis, Rhodes, Baptist College of Health Sciences and Southwest Tennessee Community College are all very different types of schools right in your own backyard!
December
-PSAT scores will be mailed to you this month. Establish what areas you need to work on and organize a study routine to improve those areas.
-Talk with previous BCHS graduates who are home from college for the holidays. They can tell you their likes and dislikes of their college choice, their adjustment to college, and what they wish somebody had told them before they left for college. Enjoy having a break from school!
January-March- Schedule a meeting with your college counselor. Come prepared with a list of colleges you have researched and are seriously considering for application. Your counselor will go over this list with you and possibly offer other suggestions. Come with any questions you may have about the admission process, scholarships or other matters that concern you.
-Start the second semester working hard in your classes. Strong second-semester grades may be a key factor in an admission decision. Remember that junior grades are often weighed more heavily by admission committees and it will be the last grades they see on your transcript as they make their admission decisions.
-You will often receive mail from colleges. Take the opportunity to visit colleges on school breaks. Also use your 3 school-approved college visit days! See Mrs. Gray for more information.
-Register for the ACT in February and/or April
April-May-Begin thinking about your summer activities and consider an internship, summer study, outdoor adventure, travel, etc.
-Attend local college fairs and events such as the NACAC College Fair at the Agricenter
-Formulate a list of schools where you believe you will be applying