Junior Year College Timeline 

 

• Late August/September: 

  • Make an appointment with your counselor to ensure that you're on track to graduate (check for core credits, CAHSEE, state requirement - Health class, and community service hours).  Make sure you're in the appropriate course level.  Evaluate your transcript.

  • Ask your counselor to enroll you in credit recovery/grade improvement programs such as Apex (Adult School), Brigham Young University (Online Independent Study), and/or community college. 

  • Explore the Early Graduation Petition or the CHSPE (California High School Proficiency Exam) if you're interested in completing your high school career by the end of your junior year.

  • If you're goal is to go a four-year college, make sure you're in the right classes to meet the A-G requirements.  Honors and AP courses are highly recommended to take in junior year to make you competitive for college admissions.  Academic rigor is what college universities like to see.  

  • Sign-up for the PSAT/NMSQT in September.  Cost is $15 and paid at the Activities Office.  Fee waivers are available to students who qualified for free/reduced lunch.  You should review your PSAT results if you took it in the previous year.  This is a good way for you to practice for the SAT.  You may even have an opportunity to be recognized and access scholarships through The National Merit Scholarship program.

  • Make it a goal to earn A's and B's this year.  Your GPA and your class rank is important.  Maintain good grades since college admission representative pay close attention to junior year .  If you're in the top 9% of your graduating class, you might be eligible for the University of California ELC (Eligiblity Local Context) program.  This is a good opportunity for you to get into a UC if you don't get accepted to one of your college choices. 

  • Consider taking Career Technical Education courses if you see yourself in one of the following industries: Construction Technology, Biotechnology, Sports Medicince, or Culinary Arts.  

 

• October

  • Get involved with sports and clubs.  Colleges like to see extra-curricular activities in addition to academics.  

  • You're recommended to attend college application workshops (during Access or at night).

  • Attend a senior workshop to get familiar in writing your personal statement if planning to go to a UC.  Check out the writing prompts prior to attending.    

  • Start your volunteer hours to meet graduation requirements and to also show that you're making a commitment to something other than academics.  Colleges and employers like to see you work that will benefit another person's life.  If you need help finding an opportunity, please go see your counselor.  

  • Be aware of colleges visiting our campus by looking on Echo and Naviance.  This is your opportunity to explore your options.  Attend the College Night Event in the first week of October.  Attend college fairs around the Bay Area.  

  • Make a college list based on the following considerations: location, academic majors, sports, size, & cost.

  • Explore college majors and career paths that would interest you.  Log onto your Naviance - Family Connection account for more info.  Utilize your coursework planner to help guide your college decision.  

  • Ask from your coaches and counselor about scholarships.  Visit: www.fastweb.com for scholarship opportunities.  

  • Create a free account on the following websites to acquire information on career paths, colleges and financial aid options: www.collegeboard.com, www.californiacolleges.edu, www.collegeweeklive.com, and www.fafsa.ed.gov.  Make sure you're using an appropriate email account when signing-up for website above.

  • Start deciding what your educational goals are after high school.  Will you pursue a full-time job, the community college, UC, CSU, private school (in and out of state), military, or vocational-technical school?  Depending on what it is, talk to your counselor about the process on how to pursue your post-secondary goal. 

  • Take the PSAT in mid-October.  Be ready and take it seriously even though it's practice.

 

• November/December

  • Learn about college prep programs: QuestBridge, Summer Search, and Students Rising Above.  Ask your counselor for more information about each one. 

  • If you're a college-bound student athlete, register for the NCAA Elibility Center to learn more about the requirements to attend a Division I or II school.  Meet your counselor to review your transcript to evaluate if you're on track to meet the 16 core courses.  

  • Prepare for the SAT after taking the PSAT.  Go to the library, bookstore, or College Board for study guides and resources.  

  • Consider taking the ACT.  Register for the ACT.  Know the difference between both the SAT and ACT.  

  • Retake the CAHSEE if necessary.  You must pass this in order to qualify for a Cal Grant. 

  • Visit the Napa Valley College counselor at the NVC office in the A-bldg to learn more about the community college.

  • Consider taking college courses at the community college in the Spring or Summer semester.  Talk to your counselor about the process in how to sign-up.  Earn college credits that will allow you to transfer the units to the college university you plan to attend.  Junior college courses will help you receive priority registration for classes.  It's highly recommended that you take a Math or English course.  

  • Sign up for FAFSA4Caster to get an early estimate of eligibility for federal student aid.  

  • Begin to think about the teachers, coaches, employer, counselor, etc. to write a letter of recommendation for you.  Pick up a letter recommendation form from the counseling office.

  • If you haven't done so already, start creating a resume or portfolio of all extra-curricular activities, employment, transcript, letters of recommendation, etc.  

 

• ​January/February

  • ​Meet with your counselor again to check status of graduation and college eligibility requirements.  Sign up for online credit recovery or grade improvement programs if necessary.  Talk about what courses you need to take for Senior year.  Consider taking rigorous classes.

  • Attend the Cash for College Workshop scheduled in February to learn more about the FAFSA and Cal Grants.

  • Retrieve your PSAT results from Mr. Shurmantine in the E-building office.  Sign up for SAT prep if necessary and continue to stuy for SAT.  Register for the SAT and take it on the May or June test date. 

  • Continue your college/career and scholarship search from Naviance - Family Connection.  Start including your parents into a conversation of your plans after high school.

  • Maintain your grades throughout the semester.

  • Register for community college courses in January.  Visit your counselor the for necessary forms.  Check www.napavalley.edu for the class schedule.  Take the Math and/or English placement test if necessary.    

 

• March thru June

  • Start asking for letters of recommendation from teachers, counselor, coaches, and administration.  Give them time to prepare your letter.  

  • Plan for college visits just before junior is over.  Narrowed down from your list of colleges, and contact campuses for group or individual tour.

  • Continue with researching scholarship.  Visit the College Board website for more resources.  

  • Keep up your grades.  Your junior year in particular is important for college admissions.

  • Start looking for a summer job, workshops, or internship to keep you busy during the summer.

  • Take the SAT or ACT in May or June.  Make sure you don't have any conflicts with test dates, including the AP exams during the month of May.

  • Maintain participation in sports and/or clubs.  

  • Request a copy of your transcript to use for Early Decision college applications. 

 

• Summer 

  • Make college visits to the top five campuses on your list.  Take a tour and talk to admission representatives and financial aid offices.  Talk to students along the way.

  • It's a good idea to talk with friends and family who attended college.  Get some advice about majors and college life experiences from them.  It's also important to hear about another student's perspective.

  • Start working on your college application.  Create a rough draft of your personal statement and get it proofed by others before writing final drafts.  Have a teacher read it if he/she is available.  

  • Finanical aid options need to be explored and organized.  Record your timelines for when financial aid documents are due.

  • Before you commit to Early Decision for college admissions, be sure you explore the college thoroughly.  Start preparing for your college applications to be submitted.