Junior Timeline
Your Roadmap to College Preparation Success
Junior year is crucial for college preparation. This comprehensive timeline will help you stay organized and ensure you complete all necessary steps for a successful college application process.
College Search Strategy
- • Narrow your choices to 3-5 colleges that align with your academic and personal goals
- • Research campus sizes and locations to find environments where you'll thrive
- • Discuss college financing openly with parents to understand budget constraints
- • Schedule personal campus visits to get a feel for each school's culture and community
College Entrance Exams
- • Take SAT and ACT in the spring of junior year for optimal timing
- • Consider SAT II Subject Tests for schools that require or recommend them
- • Start exam preparation early to achieve your best possible scores
Application Preparation
- • Complete your college entrance essay in Junior English class with teacher guidance
- • Select 2 teachers who know you well and can provide stellar recommendations
- • Build relationships with teachers who can speak to your character and abilities
Resume Building & Activities
- • Continue extracurricular involvement and deepen your commitment to key activities
- • Participate in community service to demonstrate your commitment to helping others
- • Maintain leadership roles and seek new opportunities to lead and serve
- • Update your activities list regularly to track achievements and awards
Essential Campus Visit Questions
Ask these important questions during your campus visits:
- • What are the core values of this college?
- • What is the first-year student retention rate?
- • What percentage of students graduate within four years?
- • What support programs exist for freshmen?
- • What are the graduate school admission rates for your program?
Additional Opportunities
- • Apply to Camp RYLA for valuable leadership training and experience
- • Register at NCAA Clearinghouse if you plan to play college sports
- • Request transcript to be sent at the end of junior year for early applications
Kathy Howard
Guidance Counselor
(903) 893-7076 ext. 205
Ready to Plan Your Junior Year?
Schedule a meeting with our guidance counselor to create a personalized timeline for your college preparation journey.