Just for Juniors!

This page is designed to provide information necessary for juniors to prepare for the college application process. It is not meant to replace the interaction that juniors should have with their college counselors. Rather, think of this as a complement to the student-counselor relationship. As the FCDS College Counseling Staff discovers new information for juniors, we will put it here for your use.

The menu of links under "College Counseling" on the left side of this page will help to get to the information you need. Below is a month-by-month overview of the planning process:

September

Review your academic plans for Upper School and update each quarter the activities list you began as a freshman.
Make use of the college planning resources available in the college counseling office and consider possible dates to visit college campuses with your parents and friends. Take advantage of college web pages, a wonderful option for college exploration.
Attend meetings with college representatives who will visit FCDS this fall. Obviously schoolwork must come first, but try to attend sessions for schools of particular interest to you. Check with your teacher before attending sessions to make arrangements for any classwork you will miss. Listen to the admission officers’ presentations and ask questions about your particular interests. Pick up information about colleges of interest to you and sign the cards provided so that you will be added to the schools’ mailing lists.
Prepare for the PSAT by using the PSAT Bulletin and practice test provided by your college counselor. Juniors who take the PSAT will be considered for participation in National Merit Scholarship competition. The top one-half percent of all test-takers in North Carolina will be invited to compete for scholarships. Other high scorers will be designated as National Merit Commended.

October

Attend the College Fair for Forsyth County students and their families at the Benton Convention Center on October 1, 2007.
Test date for PSAT/NMSQT exam at FCDS (October 17).
Begin to establish criteria for the type of college that you would like to attend. Use college guides to find schools that match your criteria. Talk to families, friends and teachers about their college choices and experiences.

November

Evaluate your first quarter grades and determine what you are doing well and what you need to improve in order to meet your academic goals for the year. The grade point average and class quintile rank provided to colleges when you apply, is cumulative through the end of junior year.

December

PSAT student reports are mailed home to students and parents. Read the information carefully to interpret your performance, paying attention to predicted SAT scores.
Study thoroughly for exams. Attend the review sessions your teachers will offer.
Registration deadline for January 26 SAT and SAT Subject Tests (December 26). This test date is optional for juniors.

January

Test date for SAT and SAT Subject Tests (January 26)
Registration deadline for February 9 ACT (January 4)
Talk to your college counselor about taking the SAT and SAT Subject Tests during second semester. Colleges would like to see both a junior and senior year SAT I. The need to take SAT Subject Tests will depend upon your college interests, admissions/placement requirements, and the level of the courses you are taking as a senior. As a rule of thumb, students should take the Math Level IIC Subject Test when they complete Precalculus. A Foreign Language Subect Test should be taken in the fall of your senior year if you are in the fifth year of a language. While you will take AP exams for AP courses, many students also take a Subject Test in their AP subjects upon completion of the course. If a college requires Subject Tests for admission, the Math IC or IIC and another test of your choosing will usually be required. Some schools require Math and/or Foreign Language for placement only. Your college counselor will help you determine a schedule for taking these tests.
Junior College Night for juniors and their parents November 12 and January 28.
On January 28, 2008, attend the College Night Program for sophomores and juniors for our mock application exercises. Click here to get the information necessary for the program.
College Packets distributed at Junior College Night.
Registration deadline for March 1 SAT (January 29). No Subject Tests are offered in March.

February

Test date for ACT (February 9)
Begin to familiarize yourself with resources available for researching/investigating colleges, starting with the FCDS College Counseling Office and website.
Return completed Student & Parent Response Forms to College Counselor (at least two days prior to first meeting).
Begin researching schools of interest.
Sign-up for individual meeting with College Counselor.
Meet with College Counselor to discuss interests, talents and accomplishments and to develop a preliminary college list.
Make use of practice materials available for the SAT and SAT Subject Tests. Register to take the SAT in March, May or June. The best time to take SAT Subject Tests is June, after you have completed class and taken final exams.
Junior College Visit Days-Juniors are excused from classes (February 28-29, 2008)

March

Test date for SAT only; no Subject Tests are offered (March 1)
Registration deadline for April 12 ACT (March 7)
Those who haven’t, meet with College Counselor; develop preliminary college list.
Continue researching your preliminary list of schools.
Identify characteristics you are looking for in a college.
Visit colleges during spring break. (This is often an excellent time to visit colleges, as they are usually still in session.)

April

Registration deadline for May 3 SAT and SAT Subject Tests (April 1)
Test date for ACT (April 12)
Meet with your College Counselor, as needed, to refine your college list.

May

Test date for SAT and SAT Subject Tests (May 3)
Registration deadline for June 7 SAT and SAT Subject Tests (May 6)
Registration deadline for June 14 ACT (May 9)
If you are enrolled in AP courses, prepare to take the AP exams given in May.
Give serious time to preparing for all of your final exams.
Continue independent research of colleges; keep College Counselors informed
Consider which teachers, coaches and other adults you would like to ask to write recommendations.
Schedule visits to colleges/universities. Make appointments for tours, and for interviews where available.
Register with NCAA Clearinghouse for Division I and II athletics.

June

Test date for SAT and SAT Subject Tests (June 7)
Test date for ACT (June 14)
Continue researching schools that interest you.
Begin to research scholarship opportunities available through clubs, civic organizations and employers. Use internet scholarship sites to explore a wider range of opportunities.

Summer

Spend your summer productively. If you do not have a summer job, plan some volunteer work.
Put together your personal resumé (due to College Counselor in August).
Request and review applications from colleges on your list.
Begin to consider essay topics when applications arrive. Look for opportunities to use an essay for more than one application. Do rough drafts of essay topics. Begin work on as many rough drafts of your college applications as possible. You will be glad you did!
Visit campuses; make notes; consult with family and friends.
Registration deadline for September 2008 ACT (August 14).
READ, READ, READ!!!