Ideal Junior Year Timeline

By:
September 30

1. Be certain that your course schedule contains no fluff. You need: English, math science, history, and foreign language. If you are unable to obtain all of these courses at your high school, consider taking one of them at a college or junior college that is nearby.
2. Begin to think about who you are, how you learn, what direction you think that you may wish to pursue...
3. Check with the guidance office to obtain a list of college that will be visiting your high school. If it is necessary to register in order to be able to attend, do so.
4. Even if you have your heart set on attending a college outside of New York, you should still visit one.

October 12

1. Secure a list of the colleges attending local College Fairs and plan ahead of time with which schools you would like to visit during the fair.
2. Attending a College Fair
   1. dress appropriately-appearance and comportment matter.
   2. fill out the inquiry card so that you will begin receiving printed matter from the colleges.
   3. ask "intelligent" questions-not "Where is your school located?"

October 31

1. Secure a box and christen it the college info box. Divide the box into three sections:
   Yes, no and maybe.
2. As you receive information in the mail, review it. After perusing the information, decide whether that particular college falls within the yes, no, or maybe category. Do not dispose of information yet...you may change your mind.

November 30

1. Continue exploring the college options. In many cases you can take a virtual tour over the internet. You can also pull up the course catalog over the Internet; this allows you to compare a major at one college with the same major at a different college.
2. Begin talking openly with your parents regarding your desires. It is important to understand your parents' concerns and what constraints they feel that they need to put on your search.

January 30

1. Define your list of parameters that you want to determine your college search.
2. Review the information that you have received; be certain to place all colleges that meet your criteria in the "yes" section of your box.
3. Perhaps do a computerized search utilizing your criteria to see if there are additional colleges that you should perhaps consider exploring.

February 28

1. Begin preparing for the SAT/ACT. Work several practice tests and review the math concepts. Be certain to time yourself while taking the practice tests. This is important because many students need to learn to work within the time constraints.
2. Make a list of the testing requirements for the colleges that you are considering. For the majority of the colleges, you only will need to take the SAT/ACT.

March

1. Register for the SAT/ACT-given in April. Be sure to pay the additional money to receive your test booklet and answers back. This provides a wonderful study tool, should you need to retake the SAT/ACT next October.
2. Continue practicing for the SAT/ACT.

April

1. Take the SAT/ACT.
2. Review the testing requirements for the colleges from which you will seek admission. If any require the SAT II's, register to take them in May. However, do not take them unless they are required. The term recommended means just that; therefore, if a college states that the SAT II is recommended, forget it.

May 31

1. Take the SAT II's if absolutely necessary.
2. Do your very best in finishing the year.

June - August

1. Review your list of colleges. Be certain that you have a few colleges that you consider a reach, a few colleges that you feel are realistic choices in terms of the possibility of admission, and a few colleges that you are certain will admit you.
2. If you feel that you will be retaking the ACT next October, using your test booklet and answer sheet from the April testing, determine what sections or concepts that you need to review.
3. Practice the ACT.