You've reached the midpoint of your high school experience. Many of the decisions you made in the past were very important but from now on, your decisions take on an even greater significance. The choices you make over the next year and a half will determine what your options are when you apply to colleges. Here is a timeline and some tips to help you plan your junior year.

Throughout the Year

·         Now is the time to buckle down and really focus on academics. The grades you earn this year are very influential in the admission process and especially if you are planning to apply Early Decision somewhere. Keep in mind that your junior year will be the last full academic year before applying to colleges so keep studying! You still have time to ensure more college options for yourself.

·         Develop positive relationships with your teachers. The best recommendation is one written by a teacher who knows you well, someone who can attest to both your academic and personal qualities. Teachers are generally impressed by students who participate thoughtfully in class, who seek them out for extra help, and who consistently do their work and do it well.

·         Read widely: books, newspapers, and magazines. This is good preparation for the SAT, which is largely a test of your vocabulary and reading skills. The knowledge you gain over the year will also help in your college interviews. This will make you infinitely more interesting.

·         Collect examples of your work. Some colleges require a graded writing sample. Be sure to keep copies of your best papers. If you are a serious artist, you should begin to think about creating a portfolio of your work that can be submitted with your college application. Musicians and athletes should consider putting together "highlight tapes" that they can send to professors and coaches.

·         Find out about local college fairs and parent nights. Register for and attend these events. Be sure to fill out the college inquiry cards at these fairs because this lets colleges know you are interested.

Fall

·         Meet with your college counselor. Explore the resources that are available in the guidance office.

·         Get a Social Security number if you don't already have one. You will need it for standardized tests and college applications.

·         Admission officers from various colleges will be visiting Wayland throughout the fall. You should attend these informational meetings. Be sure to show your interest and ask questions in order to make a good impression on the admission officer.

·         Engage in some personal reflection. What have you liked about your high school experience? What is your learning style? Do you need the excitement of a big city? Do you want to be close to home? Do you want to be a big fish in a small pond? Do you want to make a difference on campus? The answers to these and other questions will help you determine the qualities you are looking for in a college.

·         Identify colleges you are interested in. You will be receiving a lot of information from various colleges. Use this information, along with that gathered from your college guidance office, college fairs and other resources to develop a list of colleges you like. Keep in mind that your list should include reach schools, 50-50 schools, and likely schools.

·         Prepare for and register to take the PSAT/NMSQT. Even if you took this test as a sophomore, you must take it again during your junior year to be considered for the national merit scholarship competition. The test is offered in October so be aware of registration deadlines and instructions.

Winter

·         Many college first-years will be coming home for Winter Break. If you know people going to schools you are interested in, this is a good time to catch up with them and find out about their experience.

·         Athletes who want to continue playing in college should consider compiling a highlight tape that can be sent to college coaches. For students who play a fall sport this can be done in the senior year but students who compete in the winter and spring should make tapes in the junior year so that theirs can be submitted before admission decisions are made in the spring.

·         Become aware of the registration deadlines for the SAT and ACT. Colleges have different testing requirements. Be familiar with which tests you need to take.

·         Plan to visit colleges over Spring Break. Determine where you want to go, find out when tours, information sessions, and interviews are offered. Call ahead to schedule interviews. You should find out whether your interviews are informational or evaluative. Evaluative interviews will play a larger role in the admission process. Some colleges may have their Spring Break at the same time you do. Be sure to ask in advance whether this will be the case.

Spring

·         The SAT is offered in January, March, May, and June. You should plan to take it for the first time on one of these dates. Keep in mind that you want to take the SAT II exams after you have completed the subject on which you are going to be tested. The best date to take the SAT II tests is in June, while the information is still fresh in your mind. Therefore, you probably want to take the SAT on one of the other dates.

·         Over Spring Break, make those visits you planned in the winter. This is a good time to see schools while there are still students on campus.

·         If you are taking an Advanced Placement course, take the exam in May.

Summer

·         Visit colleges. Although many colleges won't have students on campus for the summer, this is probably the best time for you to visit. In the fall, you will undoubtedly be too busy with classes, sports, standardized tests, and applications. Call well in advance to schedule interviews, as most interview slots fill rapidly.

·         Do something productive with your summer. Here are just a few suggestions for what you can do.

Spend time on a college campus. Many colleges host summer programs, some even offer college credit. This can be a great way to experience college life firsthand.

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Get a job, volunteer, travel.

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If you are not on track to take advanced courses in your senior year then consider taking a prerequisite class over the summer which would allow you to move into one. The most competitive applicants are those who take four years of each academic discipline and who challenge themselves by taking advanced, honors, AP, and IB courses.

Whatever you do over the summer, be able to articulate what you gained from the experience. This will be helpful in college interviews.

·         The summer is a good time to review your math skills for the SAT. It isn't necessary to enroll in a commercial test preparation course but a test prep book can be helpful. Keep reading as well. This will increase your reading speed and vocabulary. Preparing for the SAT is just like practicing your instrument or sport - the more familiar you are with the material, the easier it is going to be.

·         By the end of the summer, have your list of colleges narrowed down to the final group to which you want to apply so that you can focus on other things in the fall. Six to eight colleges should make your final list. You should have two reaches, two 50-50's and two likelies. If you truly want to attend each of your schools, you will not be disappointed in the spring. By now, you should have applications from all of these schools. Look them over to get a sense of what types of information they require.

·         Begin to think about essay topics and put all of your ideas down on paper. Try to have a rough draft by the end of summer.

·         If all of your schools accept the Common Application, consider using it. You can fill out one copy over the summer and in the fall, you will only have to deal with the colleges' supplements.