February Tasks for Juniors

• Take the SAT and/or ACT—Take the SAT and/or ACT for the first time in the winter of junior year. Most students do better their second time, so plan to test again in the spring of junior year or fall of senior year. If you are unsure about which test is best for you, call us! We can walk you through the differences so you can make an informed decision.
• Start developing your list of target colleges—Identify 10 to 15 colleges of interest with the goal of having several schools at varying levels of selectivity: some “probables” (sometimes referred to as “safety schools”) some “match,” and some “reach” options. Continue updating this list throughout junior year and at the beginning of the senior year. Would you like tips on how to best research colleges? Check our website for tips and advice!
• If possible, set up appointments to visit and speak with representatives at your target colleges—in-person or virtual. Call admissions offices of colleges you want to visit. Continue setting up appointments throughout junior and senior year, but don’t worry if it’s not possible for you to visit your target colleges. College Board provides a helpful campus visit guide at BigFuture.
• Talk to your family about the funds available for your post-secondary education. This is an important conversation to have as you are starting to look at colleges.
• Search for traditional scholarships—Once you are midway through your junior year, it’s time to begin searching for more traditional scholarships that are specifically made available to students in their senior year of high school. Continue searching throughout junior and senior year. College Board provides financial aid tips at BigFuture. A good source of scholarships is fastweb.com
• Start making a list of the experiences and values you would like to communicate in your application.
• Think about this summer! It seems far away but some internships and programs have an early application. Be sure to have a plan B!

Questions? Let’s chat!

Bettina Weil

Weil College Advising, LLC

info@weilcollegeadvising.com