Junior year marks a turning point.
While most of your college applications will be completed and submitted during your senior year of high school, your junior year is crucial to college planning. There are many factors to consider when preparing for college. To help you get started on your educational journey, we’ve provided some essential college planning tips. Since preparing for college takes time and effort, we have created a detailed guide to keep you on track beginning in your junior year of high school.
We are here to assist you at every step. Contact our college planning experts for a free consultation.
Fall Junior College Planning Timeline
You are making great progress in building your academic skills, participating in extracurricular activities, and possibly trying a new sport. It’s now time to focus on planning and preparing for college.
September
Attend College Fairs
Meet with admissions representatives from various local and out-of-state colleges and universities to determine which schools may be the best fit for you.
October
Get Informed
Check-in with your guidance counselors to confirm that your courses meet college admissions requirements. Is there a college night planned for students and their families? When will college representatives be visiting your school? Add dates to your calendar!
- Register and take the PSAT/PLAN.
- Prepare to take the ACT/SAT in the Spring.
November
College List
Many students create a college list considering academics, affordability, location, and size. Consult friends, family members, teachers, and recent graduates from your school who are now in college. Make a list of the college features that interest you.
Winter Junior College Planning Timeline
December
Get Excited!
Your PSAT scores are on their way and this is an important moment for your academic journey. Don’t miss out on valuable college planning events available at your school to help you prepare and succeed!
January
Meet with High School Counselor
February
Open to Possibilites
To find the best college for you, it's important to apply to a range of colleges with different levels of selectivity. Selective colleges accept only a portion of the students who apply, with some being highly selective and others less so. Be sure to include a mix of public and private institutions and in-state and out-of-state schools to make sure you have plenty of options.
Spring Junior College Planning Timeline
March
SAT & ACT
April
Plan a Road Trip
Discover if the colleges on your list are right for you! Visiting colleges is a wonderful opportunity to learn more about yourself and your aspirations, helping you find institutions that truly align with your goals.
May
Recommendation Letters
Summer Junior College Planning Timeline
June
Summer Job
July
Create Your Resume
Create a compelling résumé that showcases your academic achievements, highlights your extracurricular activities, and details your work experiences since freshman year. This will reflect your skills and dedication, opening doors to exciting opportunities ahead!
August
Register
- Remember! Before completing your FAFSA, you need to create your FSA ID—a username and password that will make the process smooth and enjoyable!
- Register for the commonapp.org
The Big Guide
Offers free tools and resources, a timeline to help parents and students stay on track, as well as financial aid guidance for FAFSA and FSA ID.
RISLA Scholarship Hub
Helping parents & students pay for college.
Did you know college scholarships are free money to help pay for college expenses? Well, it's true! And the RISLA Scholarship Hub is here to help students and parents find extra funds to help pay for college.
💸 The best kind of funds . . . the kind you don't have to pay back!
Enter to Win!
Knowledge for College Scholarship
Check out the Knowledge for College Scholarship! We award $2,000 each to four deserving students every month. Whether you need help covering tuition, books, or living expenses, our scholarship can help ease the burden.
🤩 Take your chance to win - enter every month for your prize!
rischolarships.org
A free scholarship search tool!
Discover an abundance of local scholarships waiting for you. The search is fast and simple, making it effortless to find your perfect match!
We are with you for the journey.
College Planning
A free service aimed at helping students achieve their goal of attending college and paying for it. The CPC assists thousands of students and families each year in planning for higher education.
Scholarship Hub
Check out how to prepare for college—access free tools and resources. Find local scholarships for college, and parents and students can enter to win $2,000 in college scholarships!
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Student Loans
Our student loans offer flexible repayment options, competitive interest rates, and a simple application process, making them an ideal choice for parents and students.
Refinancing
With our refinancing options, you can enjoy the benefits of low fixed interest rates, no fees, and an auto-pay discount. Take advantage of this opportunity to save money and simplify your finances.
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