Junior Year Calendar
There is a lot you can do junior year to improve your success in the college process:
- Remain focused on your classes. Continue a record of demonstrated academic achievement.
- Timely register for all standardized tests.
- Attend college representative meetings and college fairs.
- Begin an assessment of your strengths, learning style and personality to identify what to look for in a college.
- Talk candidly with your parents about the cost and financing of college.
- Visit colleges, including local campuses.
- Participate in individual and parent/student meetings with your College Counselor.
- Plan a summer experience which explores or develops an interest.
Fall
College representative visits occur regularly. Don't skip an important class, but do try to attend the visits of schools in which you are interested.
Attend local college fairs. Details are available in The College Guidance Office.
Take the PSAT.
Parents attend Junior Parent College Night #1 at Laurel School.
PSAT results will be available by mid-December. The College Guidance Office will schedule individual conferences for students to discuss their results.
Winter
Schedule a Junior Parent/Student Conference with your College Counselor. The Parents' Questionnaire and Parental Permission for Release of Information should be turned in at the conference. The student should also finish their Letter of Introduction and Pre-conference Survey prior to the College Conference.
Begin developing a list of potential schools. Organize some college visits. Begin locally and try to see one large, one small, one urban and one suburban or rural school.
Register for the ACT and SAT.
Research summer programs, volunteer opportunities, internships and jobs. Students with particular interests (e.g. medicine, veterinary medicine, engineering, communications) should try to be involved in a related field. Information on summer programs is available in The College Guidance Office.
Discuss college costs and financing options as a family.
Spring
Attend the Hawken College Fair. An announcement will be made of the date.
Plan college visits during spring break.
Complete your resume, listing extracurricular activities, honors, community involvement and employment.
Finalize summer plans.
Ask teachers for recommendation letters.
Athletes who want to play Division I or Division II sports in college you should register with the NCAA at the end of the year or during the summer. Register online at www.ncaaclearinghouse.net. Notify the College Guidance Office when you register.
Summer
Schedule college visits.
Review the college guidebooks; do internet searches of colleges.
A well designed proposal may be added to, and distinguish, your application.
Work on your college essays.
Start filling out your Common Application when it becomes available, usually after August 1st. www.commonapp.org
