Junior Year -

Arguably your most important year. You should plan out a timeline to take the SAT, ACT, and SAT Subject Tests. In the fall will be the PSAT, which you should treat seriously (at the least it's a chance to earn money through the National Merit Scholarship Program). Continue taking more advanced classes including APs if applicable.

At this point you should also begin moving up the leadership ladder in your extracurriculars so long as you stay committed. You may also want to start looking into colleges and applying for a few scholarships where you fit the criteria. Spring break would be a good time to look at colleges. The spring of junior year is also a great time to begin writing your college essay and letting teachers have a look at them before summer ends.

Meet again with your college counselors or teachers and assess your growth.

Senior Year -

The summer before senior year should be flurry of action as you finalize the list of colleges that you are looking to apply to as well as the scholarships you are considering. At the same time you may be trying to understand how college financial aid will work.

The moment school starts, you need to meet with counselors and make sure that you see eye to eye. Depending on the type of application you are pursuing (e.g. Early Action, Early Decision) you will have to fill out the forms and send them in. Your essay should be written well in advance of the due date and you should ask for recommendations at least a month in advance.

Browse other sections of Scholar Holler for more in-depth info on Essays, Recommendations, Application Options, and the like.

To go back to the first part of the high school time table, click here.