· Continue to earn good grades! Maintaining your GPA during your junior year is especially important.

· Review the schedules for the SAT Reasoning, ACT with writing, and SAT Subject Tests as well as the AP/IB exams. CSU schools do not require the writing portion of the admission tests.

· Determine if you should take these exams and how they could benefit you, and sign up and prepare for the exams you decide to take. Most colleges and universities will accept either the SAT or ACT, which you should sign up to take in the spring. The UC schools and some private schools require the SAT Subject Tests in addition to the SAT or ACT. In June, sign up to take the SAT Subject Tests while the course material is still fresh in your mind and the course is completed.

· Use code 3594 to send SAT scores to all CSU’s. Use code 9999 to send your SAT and ACT scores to NCAA if you are planning on planning Division I or Division II sports in college.

· Review your academic record and profile, determine if you have gaps or weaknesses, and get suggestions on how to strengthen your candidacy for the schools in which you are interested.

· Determine what it takes to gain admission to the college(s) of your choice, in addition to GPA and test score requirements. Keep in mind that colleges look for the following: challenging coursework, strong GPA, and involvement in extracurricular activities such as clubs, sports, and volunteer work.

· Have a life outside of school! You should participate in extracurricular activities that you truly enjoy - finding your passion in life is important and college admissions officers like candidates that are well-rounded.

August

o Register for the SAT Reasoning, ACT, and SAT Subject Tests for the Spring of your junior year. Fee waivers are available in the guidance center if you qualify.

o Update your portfolio in your COIN 3 account.

September

o Register for the PSAT exam offered on a Saturday at Granite Hills in October. Remember when you take the PSAT in your junior year, the scores will count towards the National Merit Scholarship Program. It is also great practice for the SAT Reasoning Test.

o Look for scholarship opportunities. Most scholarships will be offered in your senior year.

October

o Attend the Grossmont Union High School District’s college and career night – “Got Plans”.

o Take the PSAT.

o Use COIN 3 to narrow your list of colleges to include a few with requirements that coincide with your current GPA, a few with requirements above your current GPA, and at least one with requirements below your GPA. Your list should contain approximately 8-12 schools you are seriously considering. Start researching your financial aid options as well.

o Consider going on some campus tours. You and your parent(s) may want to visit the colleges and universities during spring break and summer vacation, so that you do not have to miss school.

o Sign up for International Baccaulaureate (IB) exams if you are taking an IB course.

November

o Continue to refine your college list and to study the websites of the colleges that you are seriously considering.

December

o Study for final exams!

January

o You will receive your scores from the October PSAT. Attend the Princeton Review feedback session in the Little Theater (date TBD), in order to identify your strengths and to determine the areas in which you may need to improve. Depending on the results, you may want to consider signing up for an SAT preparatory course. Granite Hills offers a short-term preparatory class.

February

o Find out from each college which tests are required to apply. Make sure your test dates give colleges enough time to receive test scores. It is a good idea to take the SAT and/or ACT in the spring to allow you time to review your results and retake the exams in the fall of your senior year, if necessary.

o Register for Advanced Placement (AP).

March/April

o Refine your college interest list.

o Take the ACT and/or the SAT Reasoning Test.

o Attend the National College Fair at the San Diego Convention Center downtown.

May

o Take the AP exams if you are enrolled in any AP classes.

o Talk to teachers about writing letters of recommendation for you. Think about what you would like included in these letters (how you would like to be presented) and politely ask your teachers if they can accommodate you.

o Take the SAT Reasoning Test

June

o Add any new report cards, test scores, honors, or awards to your file. Take the ACT if you have not done so already or if you want to retake it to improve your score.

o Take the SAT Subject Tests if you are planning on applying to a UC school or if the private school you are interested in requires it. You can take up to three SAT Subject Tests in one sitting. Otherwise, sign up to take the SAT Reasoning Test if you have not already done so or if you want to retake it to improve your score.

o If you go on interviews or visits, do not forget to send thank you notes.

o If you are an athlete planning to continue playing a Division I or Division II sport in college, register with the NCAA Eligibility Center (www.ncaaclearinghouse.net). Print 2 copies of your signature page and turn them in to Mrs. Velasco in the guidance center. You will also have to send your SAT or ACT scores to NCAA. You can do so by using the code 9999.

o Start to look for scholarship opportunities.

Summer Before Your Senior Year

o Clean up any D’s and F’s during summer school.

o Visit colleges. Take campus tours and, with your top college choices, consider making appointments for interviews with admissions counselors. During your visits, find out if you can talk to professors, sit in on classes, spend a night in the dorms, and speak to students about the college(s). Some colleges have preview programs that allow you to do all of these; find out which of the schools you will be visiting offer these programs and take advantage of them.

o Practice writing online applications, filling out rough drafts of each application, without submitting them. Focus on the essay portions of these applications, deciding how you would like to present yourself. Do not forget to mention your activities outside of school.

o Review your applications, especially the essays.

o Decide if you are going to apply under a particular college's early decision or early action program. This requires you to submit your application early, typically between October and December of your senior year, and offers the benefit of receiving the college's decision concerning your admission early, usually before January 1. If you choose to apply early, you should only do so for the college/university that is your first choice. Many early decision programs are legally binding, requiring you to attend their college.

o Refine your college list.

o Find a full-time or part-time job, or participate in a camp or summer college program.