FALL (August – November)

☐ Maintain strong grades – Junior year is crucial, and your final transcripts is the one used to apply to college.

☐ Challenge yourself with rigorous courses if available (We use your PACT and PSAT to qualify for AP, Honors, Dual Enrollment)

☐ September: attend the Parent & Student College Readiness Meeting (mandatory)

☐ Attend the College Fair in October with your class (parents welcome)

☐ Meet with your Junior Counselor to discuss academic goals and future plans. Ask for help when needed. Your teachers, counselors, campus ministry team, and Carroll family are here to support you.

☐ Keep track of graduation requirements & credits (use College Readiness PowerPoints, Checklists & Website to stay on track)

☐ Complete ANY credit recovery classes pending in CAVA or FLVS before end of Junior year.

☐ Check school email daily & follow us on social media: @CarrollBulldogs and @CarrollCollegeCorner

☐ Take the PSAT/NMSQT in October – may qualify for National Merit Award

☐ Take Career Assessment Quiz provided by Counselor and in BigFuture to explore interests

☐ Attend Carroll College Fair and other College visits during lunches & after school

☐ Continue to researching colleges using Naviance, College Board and BigFuture

☐ Visit college campuses (virtual or in person)

☐ Track extracurriculars for applications and add to Naviance Resumes & your Brag Sheet

☐ Stay involved! Focus on quality over quantity by exploring clubs, sports, activities, leadership opportunities, and service projects

☐ Applying for scholarships and make sure to update your Raise.Me account

☐ Update your Service hours in X2Vol – must be “Approved” hours to count for graduation (minimum 100 required)

☐ Have you been in a Service project or are you a Scholar? Apply for a Silver Knight Nomination and Award

WINTER (December – February)

☐ Register and take the SAT/ ACT (recommended: take at least one of each before Spring ends in May)

☐ Study for in-school March ACT (Free for Juniors)

☐ Schedule a meeting with the College Advisor, Mrs. Hernandez to discuss college & career plans for guidance

☐ Consider a cram course/ boot camps test prep courses or practice tests to improve scores if needed

☐ Continue college research and refine your list in Naviance (Reach, Match, Safety schools- pick at least 2 in each category)

☐ Understand Bright Futures & Florida scholarships (know required GPAs/test scores & how to Superscore)
☐ Discuss financial aid & payment plans with your family- How will we pay for college? Staying in Miami or open to leave?
☐ Research summer programs, internships, volunteer opportunities, and summer jobs early- this looks good on applications. Some more competitive programs close out as early as April (Apply early)

SPRING (March – May)

☐ Plan on taking/retake of SAT/ACT in March of Junior yr. thru September of Senior yr. if needed to boost scores.

☐ Take the March in-school ACT (study in advance)

☐ Start brainstorming college essay topics and ask your English teacher for guidance (use Common App prompts)

☐ Watch “College Essay Guy” on YouTube and others like him for writing tips, strategies and topic ideas

☐ Finalize senior year course selections with a focus on rigor and college readiness ** Consider advanced science courses if interested in STEM pathways for example in majors such as pre-med, dental, engineering, Biology or Chemistry, nursing etc.

☐ Plan on attending the 2 day “Rising Seniors College Readiness Bootcamp” in June…. Registration email will be sent in May. Learn how to create your Common App, apply for scholarships, essay writing help, FAFSA, transcripts, Scholarships and more.

SUMMER (June – August)

☐ Attend the “Rising Seniors Workshop” in June to begin your applications etc.

☐ Create your Common App and link with Naviance (Waive FERPA) and add your colleges to match Naviance

☐ Create your FSA ID used to apply for financial aid (for FAFSA next fall)

☐ Write/revise your college essays and supplemental essays

☐ Learn how to order transcripts and letters of Recommendation ( all steps are in PowerPoint provided by Mrs. Hernandez)

☐ Take or retake the SAT/ACT if needed and superscore !!

☐ Continue applying for scholarships…you can stack them ($$)

☐ Stay productive during the summer- these experiences will help build your resume for college applications but apply early by April