You’re now a high school junior! It’s time to step up your college planning game and make sure you’re on track for applying to colleges.
Here’s a breakdown of the steps in our college planning checklist for 11th grade. If you’re a parent, you can also follow the family action plan for 11th grade.
College planning tasks you can do before winter break (September–December):
- Make a list of what you’re interested in studying and explore career ideas
- Learn about colleges and save schools you’re interested in to your College Board account
- Make an appointment with your counselor to ask about upcoming college fairs and which college representatives are visiting your high school
- Browse the college brochures and catalogs in your counselor’s office—you might find a college you haven’t thought of
- Ask your counselor or a teacher about taking the PSAT/NMSQT scheduled in October
- You may be eligible for scholarship opportunities after taking the PSAT/NMSQT
- If you plan to ask for testing accommodations because of a disability, make sure you learn about the request process and start early
- Manage your college search, test scores, and application statuses by saving information in your College Board account
- If you’re looking at visual and performing arts majors, some colleges require a portfolio or audition, so look into the Major and Career Search tool and find out how you need to prepare
- Estimate how much college might cost and how much financial aid you may need with our free Tools & Calculators
- Register to take the SAT and/or the SAT Subject Tests™ and practice on Khan Academy® for free
- Consider taking AP classes and earning college credits through AP Exams
- Opt in to the College Board Opportunity Scholarships and start earning chances at scholarships for $500–$40,000
College planning tasks you can do before the school year ends (January–May):
- If you’re considering military academies or ROTC scholarships, you should begin the application process the summer before your senior year
- Continue to build your college list and explore schools by type, housing options, majors, sports, student organizations, cost, and more
- Take the SAT or consider retaking the SAT
- Double-check if you’re eligible for a fee waiver—if you are, make sure you review all the benefits
- Remember—67% of students improve their score the second time around
- Learn 3 different ways of getting financial aid and get a copy of your family’s tax returns
- If you’re considering playing sports in college as a student-athlete, make sure the NCAA® gets your SAT score and ask your counselor to upload your official transcript to the NCAA Eligibility Center
- Check out our College Planning Checklist for Student-Athletes for more information
College planning tasks you can do in the summer and before beginning your senior year (June–August):
- Find a full-time job, part-time job, or internship to gain work experience
- If you can, visit college campuses, attend an information session or a campus tour, and make sure you talk to current students or professors while you’re there
- Create a résumé so you have a record of your academic accomplishments, extracurricular activities, and work experience
- Brag about your achievements!
Source: The College Board Blog, November 9, 2018