Juniors should be doing the following to prepare for academic and college success:

- Improve your GPA. Even if your grades have not been that good so far it is never too late to improve. Colleges like to see an upward trend.

- Stay involved with your extracurricular activities. Colleges look for consistency, depth, and leadership in activities.

- Access and use the WKHS counselor website regularly.

- Visit with College Representatives in Counseling and Career Center throughout the year.

- Take the PSAT (Practice SAT.) In addition to the National Merit Scholarships, this is the qualifying test for the National Scholarship Service and Fund for Negro Students and the National Hispanic Scholar Recognition Program.

- Consider also taking the Pre-ACT in the fall as a final practice opportunity.

- Make a list of colleges that meet your most important criteria (size, location, distance from home, majors, academic rigor, housing, and cost). Weigh each of the factors according to their importance to you.

- Visit college fairs. (In particular, plan to visit the Columbus Suburban College Fair in October.)  You may be able to narrow your choices or add a college to your list.

- If you want to participate in Division I or Division II sports in college, start the certification process. Check with the Athletic Director or your counselor to make sure that you are taking a core curriculum that meets NCAA requirements.

- Review 4 year academic plan, graduation and college entrance requirements.

- Complete YouScience assessment and explore potential career related matches.

- When creating your senior year schedule, be sure to pick a rigorous schedule and include interesting electives.

- Schedule an appointment in the spring with your counselor.

- If you are interested in one of the military academies, talk to your school counselor about starting the application process now.

- Prepare for the ACT/ SAT tests. (Free online practice tests are available on the test registration sites. You can also investigate test preparation options like books/ CD's or organized preparation courses.)

- Begin narrowing down your college choices. Find out if the colleges you are interested in require the SAT, ACT, or SAT Subject Tests for admission.

- Register for the ACT and/or SAT (and SAT Subject Tests if necessary) which are offered several times during the winter and spring of your junior year. See the "Testing" section of the website for specific test dates. You can take the tests again in the early fall of your senior year to try to improve your scores. The college admissions tests can be taken as many times as you choose since the colleges will consider your best scores.

- Have a discussion with your parents about the colleges in which you are interested. Examine financial resources and gather information about financial aid.

- If you are interested in the military, see your counselor to be referred to a recruiter.

- Set up a filing system with individual folders for each college's correspondence and printed materials.

- Take AP/ IB exams in May.

- Consider whom you will ask to write your recommendations. Think about asking teachers who know you well and who will write positive letters about you. Letters from a coach, activity leader, or an adult who knows you will outside of school may also be valuable if the college will accept them.

- Update your Resume/ Interests information with Junior year activities.

- Visit the campuses of your top college choices.

- Talk to people you know who have attended the colleges in which you are interested.

- Compose rough drafts of your college essays. Have a teacher read and discuss them with you. Polish them and prepare final drafts. Proof-read your final essays at least three times. Ask an English teacher to proof-read them as well.

- Explore summer jobs, internships and volunteer opportunities.

Print Email