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CHECKLIST FOR JUNIORS

Junior Year College Checklist

August – September

· Review your transcript and ensure that it is accurate.
· Keep in mind that colleges look for the following: Rigorous coursework, Strong GPA,Involvement in extracurricular activities such as sports, volunteer hours, or work.
· Obtain a social security number if you don’t already have one. You will need it to apply for college and financial aid.
· Make plans to take the PSAT
· Visit Ms. Duffy, the ADVANCE Specialist, at the College and Career Center.
· Create a list of 10 colleges that you would like to attend. Plan to apply to a least 3-5 schools.
· Talk to your counselor and parents about where you want to go to school.
· Obtain dates and locations for college visits, college fairs, and parents’ nights on family connection (http://connection.naviance.com/bowie) and the Bowie web site.
· Utilize the Coin Career Exploration Assessment program online (link is on family connection).
· Verify that your courses will enhance your preparation for college and that you will be able to graduate, and that they meet college entrance requirements.

October – December

· Take the PSAT to practice for the SAT I and to be eligible for National Merit Scholarship Awards.
· Inquire about AP classes, honors classes or college courses (dual enrollment) that may be available to you.
· Consider attending the Centex College Fair (October)
· Visit the websites of schools that interest you the most and plan visits whenever possible.
· Get to know your favorite teachers well. Start thinking about whom you might ask to write recommendations.
· Attend scholarship workshops.
· Start planning to take the spring SAT and ACT tests.
· Discuss with your parents how you will finance your education.
· Consider enrolling in an SAT preparation course or make a study schedule for yourself.
· Register for the SAT I/ACT and/or SAT IIexams. You will ideally take 1-2 SAT tests in the spring and 1 ACT.

January – February

· During your college visits, make sure you meet with admissions representatives and financial aid officers to find out what type of aid is available.
· Attend the financial aid seminar on January 22, 2008.
· Explore financial aid possibilities with your counselor, through your ADVANCE Counselor, and your parents’ connections (employer, professional organizations, religious affiliations.)
· Memorize your social security number and Bowie’s CEEB number 440-331
· Meet with college representatives who come to campus.
· Start investigating private scholarships and other student aid programs.
· Talk to your counselor about taking the SAT II subject tests in the fall of your senior year. Determine whether or not the schools that you are interested in require the SAT II subject test.

March – May

· Check with Ms. Duffy, the ADVANCE Specialist, for summer programs on college campuses.
· When registering for senior year classes, be sure to select strong college preparatory courses.
· Continue to research colleges of interest.
· Take the SAT or ACT (our school code is 440331)
· Consider taking Advanced Placement (AP) exams in your strongest courses.
· Plan on visiting colleges over spring and summer breaks.
· Begin preparing essays for college admissions and scholarship applications.
· Schedule an appointment with Ms. Duffy to discuss possible schools, majors, etc. (Remember that the counselors will also be writing recommendations for you, so you will need to get to know them!
· Continue compiling information to find out which organizations award scholarships to graduating seniors.
· Create a resume and record all you accomplishments, involvements, and work experiences over the past three years.
· Begin to email colleges to request information.

June – July

· Take the SAT or ACT.
· End the year with strong grades.
· Ask you English teacher for a recommended reading list.
· If you are considering ROTC scholarships, be sure to contact your counselor before leaving for summer.
· Obtain a summer job or volunteering opportunity that may be related to your career interests.
· Save money for college.
· Schedule college visits over the summer
· Stay involved!
· Have a list of 5-8 schools you plan to apply to.