Junior Year Checklist
forfor
College Application Planning
Start preparing now and get a head
start on your college applications
College List
Having a balanced college list is one of the most important steps in
the entire application process.
Categorize colleges into 3 groups: safety, match, and reach
schools.
Schedule College Visits
It is time to start narrowing down your college selection and
scheduling visits for your top choices.
Have a game plan for the summer.
Spring /
Summer
Take a numbers approach when categorizing. Examine the GPA
and standardized test scores from past students.
Spring /
Summer
College Tours
Be prepared before you go. Plan to:
Speak with an admissions representative
Bring a list of questions - show you have done your homework
Walk the campus, ask questions, and see if you can envision
yourself spending the next four years here.
Register for SAT/ACT
Review your PSAT and ACT PLAN results and register to take 1 SAT
and 1 ACT in the early spring.
Set up a study plan and stick to it.
Spring /
Summer
Spring
SAT/ACT - Pick a test
SAT Subject Tests
Do any of the colleges on your list requires them?
Are they "considered", "recommended" or "strongly
recommended"?
Spring
After receiving your SAT/ACT results, decide which test highlights
your strengths and register for the next exam.
Not happy with your first score? One-on-one test prep can help
to bring up that score.
The fall is a hectic time with a full course load plus applications,
wrap up standardized testing before senior year starts.
Spring /
Summer
Start planning which ones you are going to take and register for
the exam. Don't just select tests at random, they should match
with your application strategy plan.
Letters of Recommendation (LOR)
Start preparing the material you will give each teacher to help
them write the best LOR possible.
Choose two/three teachers and ask them for LOR, ask them
before junior year ends so they can work on them over the
summer.
Spring
Gap Analysis
Are your activities and experiences strong enough? Are your test
scores within the range of accepted students?
If not, additional work should be done over the spring and summer
to increase your student profile.
Spring /
Summer
Application Prep
Document the requirements and critical deadlines for each college
you are applying. Get organized; the application process has many
moving pieces.
Spring /
Summer
Start on your college application
Get started on the college applications. Setting goals and
accomplishing tasks over the summer will alleviate some of the
stress senior year.
Great progress can be made during the summer with a proper plan
in place.
Summer
Personal Statements
A narrative form of writing is required. One of our favorite openings
is an anecdote.
Complete final draft before senior year begins.
Summer
Understand the ways to apply to college early
Decide if you want to go for binding early decision or restrictive
early action.
Examine admit rates and know how applying early will affect your
odds.
Fall
Oct-Nov
Complete and turn in applications for colleges with Early
Admission: Early Action (EA), Restrictive Early Action (REA), or
Early Decision (ED).
College Sports
A narrative form of writing is required. One of our favorite openings
is an anecdote.Register for the NCAA Clearinghouse if you plan to
compete in Division I or II college sports.
Summer
(August)
Resume & LinkedIn
Create a student resume that highlights your leadership and
accomplishments. A student resume is different than your parent's
resume.
Use LinkedIn as your online portfolio. Make it interactive. This will
help humanize you to the admissions staff.
Summer
Complete final drafts before senior year begins.
Regular Admission
Didn't get accepted early? Got deferred? Now is the time to follow
the game plan for regular admission colleges and Early Decision II
(ED II) colleges.
Fall
Nov-Jan
Complete and turn in applications for schools with Regular
Admission or ED II.
FAFSA
Complete the FAFSA and all financial aid applications - FAFSA goes
live Oct 1.
Check if your college also requires the CSS Profile.
Fall
Oct-Jan
Check your application status
Log into your portal for each college you applied and check your
application status weekly.
Fall /
Winter
SENIOR YEAR
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Moon Prep
www.moonprep.com