Refine Your Academic Focus:

Take courses that appropriately challenge you and align with your strengths while continuing to protect your GPA.

Deepen Activity Involvement:

Commit to a few extracurricular activities and look for ways to grow your impact rather than spreading yourself too thin.

Seek Leadership Opportunities:

Begin pursuing small leadership roles to demonstrate initiative and prepare for larger responsibilities later.

Prepare for Testing:

Familiarize yourself with the PSAT, SAT, or ACT and consider light preparation to reduce stress in junior year.

Start College Awareness:

Attend college fairs, explore school websites, and learn the differences between 

Attend Junior Conference:

A strategic meeting that turns college goals into a clear, personalized plan for the future.

Begin Working on Your Résumé:

Start your résumé now to showcase your story, highlight your growth, and stand out when application season arrives.

Begin Scholarship Process:

Access scholarships through SCOIR and trusted platforms, and don’t forget to check each college for additional merit opportunities.

Begin Test Prep for SAT/ACT:

Start SAT/ACT prep early with a routine that fits your learning style to build confidence before test day.

Explore Summer Opportunities:

Students can explore summer opportunities through SCOIR.

Complete Summer Program Application:

Students can find specific information, including program deadlines, through their SCOIR account under the drive.

Begin College Tours:

Start your search now! Colleges offer many different tour options to best suit your needs, including: personal visits, overnights, open-houses, day-in-the-life, and more!

Recommendation Letter Requests:

Speak to the teachers, coaches, etc. who you'd like to write a recommendation letter on your behalf. See if this is something they would be willing to do and get on their list early!

Take Career Assessment:

Discover your strengths and interests with SCOIR’s career assessments to guide your future college and career path.

Summer To-Do List:

Prepare for your senior year by attending college camp, continuing SAT/ACT testing if needed, finalizing application documents with your counselor, applying for scholarships, reviewing application deadlines and creating a timeline, and confirming your schedule meets graduation and honors requirements.

Back to School:

Kick off senior year by finalizing your college list, starting applications, formally requesting recommendation letters through SCOIR, and attending your senior conference to ensure everything is on track.

Deadlines:

Finalize and send SAT/ACT scores, complete the FAFSA and CSS Profile as soon as they open, and meet Early Action application deadlines.

November/December:

Ensure all Early Action materials are submitted, review admissions decisions as they are released, and provide any additional documentation needed for reconsideration.

January–March:

Complete Regular Decision requirements, send mid-year transcripts, review admissions and financial aid offers, submit enrollment and housing deposits, and attend the mandatory senior class meeting.

April–May:

Attend accepted student events, finalize and celebrate your college choice, complete the senior survey, request your final transcript, and review any remaining decisions and financial aid details.

Summer:

Set up your Common App before applications open and send AP scores to your chosen college to secure any eligible credit.