Parents’ Timeline for a College-Bound Junior
We have created the most comprehensive timeline available. If you think your teen would benefit from any part of this, please direct them to the appropriate year of the “Student Timeline” under “Student Resources.” The same information is there but directed specifically to the student. Some of our resource links are repeated because they help in several categories and apply for more than one year. Go here for over 100 resources:
+100 College Flight Plan Resources
JUNIOR YEAR
Academic Achievement
- Students need to continue to pursue a quality curriculum with AP and Honors courses. They should work hard to earn competitive grades. The quality of their curriculum and their GPA are the first two qualifications universities require to be considered for admission. Their extracurricular activities and their essays will be what can keep them in the “yes” pile.
- Students need to study for and take the PSAT (in October), which qualifies students for National Merit Scholarships. Ask their counselor for dates if they don’t have them.
- Students need to get help EARLY from professionals for SAT and ACT preparation. There are specific strategies to follow when taking these tests. They need to take as many practice tests as possible to learn where they need to improve. Plan which dates they will take the SAT or ACT. Register before the deadlines to avoid late fees.
- When students are sure about their college lists, they can use the college codes to send their results directly to the universities when they register. They need to become knowledgeable about the Super Score option first.
- Students should set up a meeting with their counselor to ask about AP (Advanced Placement) and Honors courses they should take.
- Students should take AP subject tests after completing each course while the information is fresh in their minds.
- Students should schedule meetings with their college counselor, but remember, counselors are very busy. Students must take charge of this application process and be proactive in getting answers to their questions. (The national student-to-counselor ratio is 424:1, and in California, it is 900:1. The recommended ratio is 200:1.) Get outside help, if possible.
- If a student still plans to play a sport in college, they need to meet the NCAA requirements. They should stay in close contact with the coaching staff of the schools they want to attend. The student needs to let the coaches know they are still very interested in their school. Research the requirements of the NCAA.
Personal Development
- Students need to keep all their social media accounts positive and clean. Expect college admissions officers to look them up.
- Students should take more assessments to narrow in on the careers they will pursue.
- Students need to stick with their plan to maximize their strengths and minimize their weaknesses. Take assessments to clarify them. They need to learn to live by their values and pursue their purpose in life. College admissions officers are looking for students who know what they stand for and have a plan for their lives. They will need to show this in their essays.
- Students need to hone their time-management skills and eliminate bad habits. (Time management is one of the main struggles of first-year college students.)
- Students should ask professionals about their jobs. Do they like what they do? How much education is required? They should be bold in asking if they can shadow these professionals for a few days sometime in the future.
- If the student hasn’t done so already, they need to order personalized note cards to send thank-you notes during the next few years. They need to develop the skill of writing thank-you notes to show gratitude: a much-admired trait.
Extracurricular Activities
- Students need to stay involved in extracurricular activities. They should strive for leadership positions in the activities that best suit them. Remember: Colleges are looking for a student with a dedicated interest in a few specific activities rather than a surface interest in many.
- Students should work with friends to develop entrepreneurial endeavors and find volunteer opportunities that meet a need in their community or another location. It doesn’t have to be anything elaborate or time-consuming.
- Students need to plan ahead for their summer activities. They shouldn’t wait until the last minute, or many opportunities will be lost. They need to look for college programs in the areas they want to study and apply for summer internships, job shadowing, college camps, etc.
Application Prep
- The student needs to set up an email account with their full name on it to be used for all college-related correspondence.
- Students should attend college fairs and ask the representatives interesting questions.
- Students should start to narrow their list down to 10-15 schools with the majors they want to study.
- Students need to visit universities in their area and places they might be vacationing over the summer or for sports competitions. They should ask intelligent questions to show their interest in the school.
- Students should get contact information from each tour guide, admissions person, professor, or coach that they meet during their visit. The student should:
- Keep a journal with all the details of their visits to compare them later.
- Send hand-written thank-you notes on personalized stationery (a rare effort these days) to those who helped them better understand the university.
- Refer to their visit details in their application essays using the notes in their journal.
- Students should research the universities they cannot visit.
- Students should continue to record all activities, jobs, awards, honors, etc., from the summer before freshman year. Keep them in a safe place to use for college, scholarship, and job applications.
- Students need to continue to strengthen their relationships with teachers and faculty. They will be asking some of them to write recommendation letters for their applications, so they need to know the student well.
- Students will start to brainstorm ideas for their 650-word Personal Statement for the Common Applications. They will begin writing their Personal Statement at the end of their junior year and finish by August 1st. This gives them time to focus on the supplemental essays many universities require.
- Students will utilize their high school college application software, but they shouldn’t rely on it exclusively.
Financial Plan
- Families need to determine the total cost of attending each of the colleges. (Include tuition, books, lodging, and travel.) This information can usually be found on the colleges’ websites.
- Families should talk about college funding. Create a plan. The student should get a job and save money, if necessary. Continue to explore possible scholarship opportunities. Find professionals who can help in these areas.
