MONTHLY PLANNER FOR JUNIORS

February

• Make plans to visit some of the colleges you’re interested in this semester. Make necessary arrangements with the colleges. Take notes and pictures to record your impressions.

• Start to research and plan summer community service, employment/internships, classes and extracurricular activities.

• Check SAT and ACT test dates, select which date you’ll take the test and register.

• If you apply to colleges where your SAT or ACT scores put you in the top 20 percent of applicants, you will increase your chances of getting a merit scholarship.

• Decide if you want to take AP tests in May.

March

• Research possible careers of interest and discuss with your parents, counselors and teachers.

• If you are applying to a school where you are not as strong a candidate, consider applying within the school to a department that is not as popular if you are interested in the subject matter.

• Check SAT test dates and registration deadlines, select the date you’ll take the test and register for it.

• Check with your high school for AP test registration deadlines and register.

• Prepare for the AP exams.

April

• Begin to research scholarships online through your counselor, etc. (www.finaid.org, www.fastweb.com and www.collegeboard.com).

• Register and study for Subject Tests.

• Study for AP exams.

• Take the ACT (April or June).

• Contact your counselor for information if you are considering attending a military academy.

• Consider visiting a potential college during the school year to see the atmosphere and personality of the college.

May

• Take the Subject Tests.

• Take the SAT (May or June).

• Take appropriate AP tests.

• Decide who you’ll ask for teacher recommendations.

• You can set up interviews after your junior year (at some colleges) if visiting a school in the summer.

June

• Read at least one good college guide.

• Discuss college selection criteria with your parents to identify what you are looking for in a college.

• Visit college Web sites and keep notes about colleges that interest you.

• Look for opportunities to visit college campuses that are close. Drive by a potential college on your family vacation to get a feel for the college experience.

• Involve yourself in worthwhile summer extracurricular activities and take advantage of leadership opportunities.

• Update your record of activities, awards, extracurricular activities and employment (including hours).

• Develop a financial plan for college with your parents. (Don’t forget to factor in “food and fun” money.)

July

• To assist in financial planning, you and/or your parents should do a preliminary estimate of college costs and financial aid eligibility using the financial aid
  calculator at www.collegeboard.com.

• Read required books from the summer reading list.

• Study for the ACT and SAT.

• Get with friends to create a study group for additional practice.

• Receive AP grade reports.

August

• Familiarize yourself with entrance requirements (test scores, GPA, etc.) for schools that interest you.

• Remember to save your best work in academic courses and the arts for your portfolio this year.

• Update your résumé.

• Start to plan school-year community service and extracurricular activities.

• Study a sample PSAT from a counselor, online or through test prep materials.

• If you are a student-athlete, talk to your coach about potential college playing opportunities. If you’re not competing at varsity level, be sure to check out intramural programs and student fitness centers.

Don’t Forget:

• Take the SAT.

• Take the ACT.

• Take Subject Tests.

• Take AP exams for any AP classes completed in May.

SAT Regular Registration Deadlines

• February 2, 2007, for the March 10 test (late registration February 14)

• March 29, 2007, for the May 5 test, also Subject Tests (late registration April 11)

• April 27, 2007, for the June 2 test, also Subject Tests (late registration May 9)

ACT Registration Deadlines

• March 9, 2007, for the April 14 test (late fee required March 10-23)
  
  
• May 4, 2007, for the June 9 test (late fee required May 5-18)

The monthly to-do’s and college tips are excerpts from COLLEGE ADMISSIONS STEP-BY-STEP PLANNING CALENDAR. It is college planning made easy, and it is currently being used by students, parents and counselors who consider this one of the best tools and resources for college preparation. Reprinted with permission from DreamMakers 4U, LLC, www.dreammakers4u.net or call toll free at 877-DRM-MKRS (877-376-6577). All rights reserved.