Information for Juniors
The following documents were distributed during Mr. Cabel's presentation to parents of Junior students:
Reminder - All juniors get one excused college visit day per semester to visit a college/university of their choice. Students must pick up a form in the Attendance Office, bring it to their scheduled college visit, have the admissions representative at the college/University sign off on it, and then bring it back to school the next day for the absence to be cleared.
NACAC Step by Step - This is an excellent site with information to prepare students for their post secondary endeavors: http://www.nacacnet.org/research/PublicationsResources/Marketplace/student/Pages/GuidingEducation.aspx
The following calendar of events below can be of good use for junior students in order to be proactive to prepare for their post-secondary endeavors:
Calendar of Events For Junior Students
August
- Talk to your parents and your school counselor about where you want to go to college
- Review your college savings plan—start saving money if you haven’t already done so.
- Keep your grades up. Colleges look at your OVERALL GPA through all four years of high school as well as your attendance.
September
- Review college and career resources at your high school.
- Register for the PSAT/NMSQT. This test will be used to determine National Merit Scholars
- Visit the College Board in the Counseling Center to visit with college admission representatives that come to Moline High School
- Visit with your counselor and explore options and careers that are of interest to you.
- Log onto www.careercruising.com
- Attend Black Hawk College Night. Usually the last week of September in Building 3 from 5:30 - 7:30. This year the date is: September 27.
- Go online to: www.collegezone.com and review college and career resources.
October
- Continue to search college using www.collegezone.com
- Take the PSAT/NMSQT
- Visit with your school counselor to learn of ways to increase your chances of being admitted into colleges/universities of your choice.
November
- Start planning to take the ACT and/or SAT. Speak with your counselor to learn of upcoming dates, or visit www.actstudent.org for the ACT and visit: www.collegeboard.com for the SAT.
- Review college catalogs, websites and other pertinent information to familiarize yourself with admission requirements
December
- Register NOW (if you have not already done so) to take the ACT or SAT in February
- Start to research scholarships. Visit the tab on the left hand side of the counselor website to start searching of available scholarships that are available.
- Study hard for final exams if you are required to take them.
January
- Start to visit colleges and universities. Many institutions will have College Visit Days when MHS in not in session.
- Register now if you are planning on taking the March SAT.
February
- Start to become familiar with the FAFSA
- Enroll in senior classes that fulfill the credits you will need for college.
- Start to compile a list of activities, academic achievements to prepare for scholarships and applying for colleges and universities.
- Attend ISAC seminars held during parent teacher conferences regarding Financial Aid.
March
- Schedule college visits—make sure you meet with both admissions counselors as well as financial aid counselors
- Register for the ACT or SAT if you have not already done so.
April
- Register for the June ACT or SAT.
- Keep researching scholarships.
- Start preparing for the end of the year—final exams are just a month away.
- If you are enrolled in AP courses, make sure you strongly consider taking the AP exam.
May—July
- Study for final exams.
- Take AP exams if applicable.
- Visit college campuses.
- Start to prepare for your senior year.
- Consider taking the ACT/SAT.
- Start to look at college applications online to see what colleges and universities require as part of their admissions.