College Preparation Checklist for High School Juniors

The real college preparation party begins in the junior year of high school. Print out your list and read along to make sure your student is on track.

college preparation college preparation
  • Have you checked your high school course plan and made sure you are on track to graduate?

    ×

    How to do this task:
    Subtasks:
  • Are you taking the appropriate classes to prepare you for college and to gain college credit hours? Colleges expect to see AP or IB courses on your transcript. These courses can also save you and your parents money because you may receive credit for some of your general education required courses in college. Concurrent enrollment at a community college will also give you credits to transfer.

    ×

    How to do this task:
    Subtasks:
  • Start researching colleges.

    ×

    How to do this task:
    Subtasks:
  • Attend college fairs and sign up for college visits to your high school.

    ×

    How to do this task:
    Subtasks:
  • Are you active in your clubs and extracurricular activities? Colleges want to see that you are engaged in your activities. They especially like to see leadership positions. A list of clubs that you never participate in is not impressive.

    ×

    How to do this task:
    Subtasks:
  • Have you considered a part time job or freelancing some of your skills? Work experience shows responsibility and reliability. 

    ×

    How to do this task:
    Subtasks:
  • Maintain a list of your extracurriculars, leadership positions, and work experience, so that you will be able to quickly prepare a resume to give to the people you ask to write your letters of recommendation. You will also use this resume to complete your college applications.

    ×

    How to do this task:
    Subtasks:
  • Prepare for and take the SAT and or ACT. 

    ×

    How to do this task:
    Subtasks:
  • Identify the teachers, coaches, activity sponsors, and others that you would like to write your letters of recommendation. Ask them before the end of your junior year to give them adequate time to prepare your letter. Many of the popular teachers reach their limit of letters to write early.

    ×

    How to do this task:
    Subtasks:
  • Prepare your resume.

    ×

    How to do this task:
    Subtasks:
  • Have you done any meaningful community service during high school? A repeated commitment to one organization is better than an hour here and there at a long list of places. Keep a good record of your hours.

    ×

    How to do this task:
    Subtasks:
  • Identify the colleges you would like to visit and get the visits scheduled and started.

    ×

    How to do this task:
    Subtasks:

519 copy saved

519 copies saved