JANUARY/FEBRUARY: Building Your Foundation

• Subject selection time is coming soon...
  Choose your senior classes wisely. If you are interested in STEM, be sure to take Chemistry or Physics and align your courses with your future goals

• Explore your future interests; University, Community Colleges, Trade School, or Military using Navance & Big Future

• Start your scholarship search early- use Naviance, Big Future and our Carroll database to apply 

• Semester 2 started and grades and GPA will realy matter!!! 

MARCH: Getting Organized and Informed

• Attend the Junior College Readiness Student and Parent Meeting- flyers are sent by email, posted in school and by test as a reminder.

• Schedule your first meeting with your College Advisor, Mrs. Hernandez for guidance- parents are welcomed.  (Use Calendar link to book beginning March 1)

• Log into NAVIANCE
  Make sure your account is accessible and your profile is updated

• Complete NAVIANCE all quizzes
  Begin working on your Brag Sheet (to be finalized by end of early senior year)

• Start college research
  Use NAVIANCE, Common App, and BigFuture to explore colleges and scholarships

• Begin drafting your college essay / personal statement with goal to finish by early August.

• Start planning college visits for  spring and summer
  Explore virtual tours now and schedule in-person visits for the summer

• Create a testing plan
  Decide which exams you will take (SAT or ACT), register early, and plan your test dates through September of senior year

• Begin SAT or ACT testing
  Plan to test at least twice and aim for your highest score by September of senior year

• Consider a summer test prep program or tutoring to boost score

• Have an honest financial conversation with your family
  Understand what is affordable

MID-APRIL: Take Action

• Register for the Rising Seniors Summer 2 Day Bootcamp held in June- emails and text will go out in April to register

• Start drafting your activities list- Remember, leadership matters to colleges.
  Include all clubs, sports, service, and organizations from all four years

MAY: Finalizing Junior Year

• Request recommendation letters through NAVIANCE
  Ask two of your junior year teachers by the end of May if they would write you a letter early senior year

• Match your college list ( Start draft)
  Add your colleges to both NAVIANCE and Common App (they must match on both platforms)

• Create a professional email address
  This will be used for all college applications and communication to schools

• Build your resume in Naviance
  Organize your activities, leadership roles, awards, and service hours

• Finish strong academically
  Your junior transcript is the one colleges will see

SUMMER: Preparing for Senior Year

• Attend the Rising Seniors Bootcamp in June

• Continue working on your college essay

• Create your Common App account (opens August 1)

• Save all essays and important information in a separate document
  The Common App resets on August 1

• Visit colleges (in person if possible)

• Find a meaningful experience
  Internship, part-time job, or volunteer work related to your interests

• Begin or continue your Passion Project
  Especially important if pursuing the Silver Knight Award

• Keep applying to as many scholarships as possible- stack them up!!!

• Complete all credit recovery by the end early August, prior to starting Senior year - No exceptions

ONGOING THROUGH JUNIOR YEAR AND SUMMER

• Follow colleges on social media for the latest news and sign up to receive school text messages.

• Continue to explore your interests and college major along with  career path

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