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Planning tips for high school juniors


Summer: Time to prepare for the upcoming year!


Search for colleges.

Junior year is a year of big changes. Alleviate the stress by starting your college search process before you find yourself overwhelmed with school requirements, homework, activities, after-school employment, and the other demands of the year.

  • Visit VT Guidance Central and search for schools in the “School Planner” section of "Choices Planner."
  • Use VSAC's College Selection Process: Factors to Consider handout (PDF) as you start thinking about factors important to you in a college/university.
  • Use the tools and Web sites on VSAC's College Exploration and Beyond pathfinder to help you search for colleges.
  • Visit the Web sites of colleges and universities that interest you, and call the admissions offices for their catalogues and brochures.
  • Call admissions offices to arrange college visits. Use VSAC's Visiting a College handout (PDF) for advice on arranging the visit, questions to ask, and what to see on campus.

Familiarize yourself with the PSAT.

Most students take the PSAT at local high schools in October of their junior year. Use the summer to learn about the PSAT.

  • Take free practice tests.
  • Take practice tests provided in PSAT- and SAT-preparation materials. The VSAC Resource Center library has several books you can borrow either in person or through interlibrary loan at your school or local library. Search the Resource Center library catalog online — http://follettweb.vsac.org:9000/webopac/main?siteid=1.

Understand your course schedule for the upcoming year.

Junior year is an important one in the college admissions process, so make sure you’re taking challenging, college-prep courses that meet graduation requirements. Call your school counseling office and schedule an appointment (if possible) before the school year starts.



September | October | November | December | January | February | March | April | May | summer

 

September: Start the school year off right with these tips.


Meet with your school counselor.

College preparation kicks into high gear this year. Meeting with your school counselor early in the process will get you on the right track! Be sure to discuss the following:

  • Course schedule — make sure that you are on track for graduation and that you are taking challenging, college-prep classes.
  • VSAC’s Paying for College financial aid presentations — these presentations help students and their families understand the financial aid process. Ask your counselor when VSAC is coming to your high school or check out the Paying for College presentation schedule.
  • College fairs — find out where and when college representatives will be visiting. Ask whether your school is planning to provide transportation and/or excuse absences for college fairs.
  • College search — talk to your counselor about the factors you should consider in your college search. Ask him or her to show you how to use VT Guidance Central to identify schools that might interest you.

Prepare for the ACT and/or the PSAT.

Traditionally, students take the PSAT in the fall of junior year to prepare for the SAT in the spring. It’s also common for students to take the ACT during junior year.

  • Learn about the ACT at the ACT Web site. You can also register for the test online.
  • Prepare for the PSAT by visiting the College Board.

Resolve to keep your grades up.

Junior year is often the last complete academic year that colleges see on your high school transcript, so it’s important to prove you can handle challenging schoolwork. If you know you need help with study strategies, test-taking skills, or organization, talk to your teachers and guidance counselors. Be proactive and ask for help in September, BEFORE you fall behind.


Get organized.

You will receive a blizzard of paper that will continue through your senior year. Now is the time to create a system to manage the information.

  • Keep important documents — such as applications and financial aid forms — where you and your parents can find them easily.
  • Schedule all important deadlines on the VSAC Planning Calendar. It is full of important dates, including registration and test dates for the ACT and SAT, and open house dates for Vermont colleges. E-mail info@vsac.org for a copy. Help us route your message to the right area by including the topic in the subject line of your message. 

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October: Continue on your pathway to college.


Register for the ACT or the PSAT.

  • Learn about and register for either a fall or spring test date for the ACT at the ACT Web site.
  • Traditionally, students take the PSAT in the fall of their junior year to prepare for the SAT in the spring. Prepare for the PSAT by visiting the College Board. Don’t forget to sign up for the SAT practice question of the day.

Visit colleges.

The teacher in-service days in October are an ideal time for college visits. College students will likely be on campus, so you can ask them questions about their schools and see what campuses are like during regular session. Check out more tips on campus visits.


Attend a VSAC workshop.

VSAC offers several FREE workshops on everything from the financial aid process to test preparation for the SAT and the ACT.

Review the first month.

How did the first few weeks of school go? Take time to reflect on the successes and struggles of your first month.

  • Successes – What is going well? What should you continue to do to ensure that you earn good grades and stay motivated?
  • Struggles – What isn’t working? How can you get on the right track? Seek help now, before you get too far into the school year.

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    November: Prepare for change.


    Review your PSAT/PLAN scores.

    If you took the PSAT or PLAN in October, talk with your school counselor about your score report. Your school counselor can help you understand the various parts of your score report, and discuss ways you can use your scores to plan and study for the SAT or ACT.

    Familiarize yourself with the SAT and the ACT.

    The SAT is designed to assess a student’s preparation for college. The ACT is more of an achievement test than an assessment. Visit the College Board Web site at www.collegeboard.com and the American College Testing Web site at www.actstudent.org to learn more about each test. Talk with your school counselor about which test(s) you should plan to take.

    Consider your post-high school plans.

    If you’re not certain about going to college immediately after high school, consider a “gap year.” Popular in Europe, gap years are catching on in the United States. Many colleges will allow you to apply for admission during your senior year and then defer admission for one year. During your gap year, you can pursue an internship, volunteer with an organization such as AmeriCorps (the domestic Peace Corps), or take an educational trip. Many college admissions officers think a gap year is a great idea — as long as you stick to an educational agenda. For more information and resources on gap years, check out VSAC's Alternatives to College/Gap Year Options pathfinder.

    Attend a VSAC workshop.

    VSAC offers several FREE workshops on everything from SAT and ACT test preparation to the financial aid process.


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    December: Gather information.


    Use available resources for college planning.

    • Talk about the “college experience” with friends or siblings who are home on college break. What is college really like? What do they wish they had known sooner? What advice can they offer you as you prepare for senior year?
    • Visit www.mapping-your-future.org for information on career planning, college selection, and financial aid.

    Manage your money during the holidays.

    For many people, managing money this time of year is a challenge. Money management skills will help you avoid overspending on gifts and events.

    • Talk to your parents about their spending/saving philosophies. How did they learn about money management?
    • Research money management on the Internet.

    Attend a VSAC workshop.

    VSAC offers several FREE workshops on everything from SAT and ACT test preparation to the financial aid process.

    • Check out the list of VSAC Resource Center workshops.
    • Plan to attend VSAC’s 2008 College Pathways conference, a free college planning event for high school juniors and their parents. Mark your calendars for Saturday, March 15 at Saint Michael’s College; Saturday, March 29 at Castleton State College; or Saturday, April 12 at Lyndon State College. Visit www.vsac.org in early February for online registration.

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    January: Plan for the new year.


    Consider the SAT or ACT.

    • The SAT and ACT are two very different standardized tests accepted by colleges throughout the United States. Since the tests are so different, you may find that one will showcase your strengths better than the other. Learn about each test before deciding which one to take:


    • Many juniors take the SAT or ACT in April, May, or June of their junior year, and then again in the fall of their senior year. This allows two attempts to improve standardized test scores before college applications begin. Consider signing up for either the SAT or the ACT, and then begin reviewing test materials now.

    • Consider taking SAT subject tests this spring. The tests, required by many selective colleges, assess your knowledge of specific subjects. If you’re taking a course such as biology, chemistry, or world history this year, and don’t expect to take another course in that subject, you might want to take the corresponding SAT subject test now when the material is still fresh in your mind. Keep in mind that you cannot take the SAT Reasoning Test and a Subject Test on the same day, so plan ahead!

    • Many colleges will accept the ACT in lieu of both the SAT Reasoning Test and SAT Subject Tests. This could save you time, money, and stress! Check with the colleges in which you're interested to learn about their standardized test requirements and policies.

    Start researching colleges.

    Though it may be hard to believe, you’ll be packing for college before you know it! Start searching now for schools that match your criteria — and learn about possible criteria to consider — using Vermont Guidance Central’s “School Finder.” To access Vermont Guidance Central, please follow these steps:

    • Click on “Vermont Guidance Central” on VSAC’s homepage: www.vsac.org

    • If you have already created a portfolio, sign in under “Students Sign In.” If you have not, click on “New User” and create a portfolio.

    • Click on “Choices Planner.”

    • Click on the “School Finder” link.

    Attend a VSAC workshop.

    VSAC offers several FREE workshops on everything from SAT and ACT test preparation to the financial aid process.

    • Check out the list of VSAC Resource Center workshops.

    • Plan to attend VSAC’s 2008 College Pathways conference, a free college planning event for high school juniors and their parents. Mark your calendars for one of the following dates:

      • Saturday, March 15, at Saint Michael’s College
      • Saturday, March 29, at Castleton State College
      • Saturday, April 12, at Lyndon State College

      Visit the College Pathways in early February for online registration.


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    February: Stay on track.


    Study for the SAT/ACT.

    If you took the PSAT or PLAN in October, talk with your school counselor about your score report. Your school counselor can help you understand the various parts of your score report, and discuss ways you can use your scores to plan and study for the SAT or ACT. Other ways to study include the following:

    Sign up for College Pathways.

    Plan to attend VSAC’s 2008 College Pathways conference, a free college planning event for high school juniors/sophomores and their parents. Mark your calendars for one of the following dates:

    • Saturday, March 15, at Saint Michael’s College
    • Saturday, March 29, at Castleton State College
    • Saturday, April 12, at Lyndon State College

    Visit the College Pathways site in early February for online registration. Register early for the best workshop selection.


    Use spring break wisely.

    • Congratulations—you’re halfway through the school year! Take time to reflect on your successes and challenges, and talk with your parents/guardians about your plans to improve.
    • Visit college campuses. A visit is the single best way to find out if a college is right for you. Contact colleges for schedules of campus tours and information sessions, and try to arrange overnight visits. If you cannot travel, try virtual campus tours at www.ecampustours.com and www.campustours.com.
    • Read! Below is a selection of books from the VSAC Resource Center library. You can borrow these books in person at the VSAC Resource Center in downtown Winooski, or through interlibrary loan at your local school or public library.
      • 101 Ways to Become the Perfect College Applicant by Jeanine Le Ny
      • The Road to College: The High School Student’s Guide to Discovering Your Passion, Getting Involved, and Getting Admitted by Joyce Suber
      • Too Stressed to Think? A Teen’s Guide to Staying Sane When Life Makes You Crazy by Annie Fox and Ruth Kirschner
      • Financial Literacy for Teens: The Teen’s Guide to the Real World of Money by Chad Foster and Misty Elliott

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    March: Look to the future.


    Sign up for College Pathways.

    Plan to attend VSAC’s 2008 College Pathways conference, a free college planning event for high school juniors/sophomores and their parents. Mark your calendars for one of the following dates:

    • Saturday, March 15, at Saint Michael’s College
    • Saturday, March 29, at Castleton State College
    • Saturday, April 12, at Lyndon State College

    Visit the College Pathways site for online registration. Register early for the best workshop selection.


    Study for the SAT/ACT.

    • Attend a free SAT or ACT class after school
    • Borrow an ACT or SAT preparation book from your local library or the VSAC Resource Center
    • Practice online with sample tests at the official SAT or ACT sites
    • Check out TestGEAR, available free on VT Guidance Central.
    • Visit Learning Express, a free online test prep program. Access it by using the link on VSAC’s homepage — www.vsac.org. Click on the “New User” button, and use Account ID Number = 10254

    Think summer!

    Don’t let your summer become boring! With a little planning now, you can enjoy one or more amazing opportunities designed specially for high school students. Opportunities include:

    • MedQuest — Spend an intensive week on a VT college campus learning about health care careers and talking to people in the health care profession.
    • Lake Champlain Maritime Museum — Enjoy learning opportunities and sailing expeditions.
    • Volunteers for Peace — Join an international volunteer work camp in the United States or abroad.
    • Putney School Summer Programs — Pursue your interest in visual and performing arts, writing, or ESL in an independent and creative environment in Putney, VT.

    Learn more about summer opportunities for Vermont students.


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    April: Planning for change.

      Ask for college recommendation letters.

      Now is a great time to ask your teachers to write a college recommendation letter. Teachers are not swamped with recommendation requests in the spring, so they’ll be able to devote more time to your letter. Also, your junior-year teachers have known you for several months, and this will help them write a longer, more detailed letter.


      Think ahead to summer!

      Don’t let your summer become boring! With a little planning now, you can enjoy one or more amazing opportunities designed specifically for high school students. Opportunities include:

      • MedQuest — an intensive week on a VT college campus learning about health care careers and talking to people in the health care profession
      • Lake Champlain Maritime Museum — learning opportunities and sailing expeditions
      • Volunteers for Peace — international volunteer work camps in the United States or abroad
      • Putney School Summer — programs in visual and performing arts, writing, or ESL in an independent and creative environment in Putney, VT

      Learn more about summer opportunities in Vermont.


      Prepare for AP Exams.

      If you are enrolled in any Advanced Placement (AP) courses, now is the time to gear up for AP exams. Learn more about the tests, including ID requirements and testing locations, at the College Board’s Web site: www.collegeboard.com/student/testing/ap/about.html.


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      May: Time to prepare for summer and fall


      Think ahead to summer!

      With a little planning now, you can enjoy one or more educational opportunities designed specifically for high school students.

      • MedQuest — an intensive week on a Vermont college campus learning about health care careers and talking to people in the health care professions
      • Lake Champlain Maritime Museum — learning opportunities and sailing expeditions
      • Volunteers for Peace — international volunteer work camps in the United States or abroad
      • Putney School Summer — programs in visual and performing arts, writing, or ESL in an independent and creative environment in Putney, Vermont

      Learn more about summer opportunities in Vermont.

       

      Learn about résumé writing.

      Your résumé needs to clearly communicate your strengths and convince a prospective employer that he or she should meet you. Once you’re through the door, it’s your job to convince this person that it’s worthwhile to hire you.

      Use one of the books below to learn about writing résumés and cover letters. You can borrow these titles from the VSAC Resource Center library by visiting the center, or by requesting an interlibrary loan from your local school or public library.

      • Your First Résumé: For Students and Anyone Preparing to Enter Today’s Job Market by Ron Fry
      • Goof-Proof Résumés & Cover Letters by Felice Primeau Devine
      • Résumés for First-Time Job Hunters edited by McGraw-Hill

      Ask for college recommendation letters.

      Now is a great time to ask your teachers to write a college recommendation letter. Teachers are not swamped with recommendation requests in the spring, so they’ll be able to devote more time to your letter. Also, your junior-year teachers have known you for several months, and this will enable them to write a longer, more detailed letter.


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