Junior Planning 

College Planning- 11th Grade

Junior Planning: Tips for Success

• Develop time-management skills and get more out of your time in high school.
• Establish a routine for completing school work more efficiently and effectively.
• Take on leadership roles in the clubs and sports.
• Challenge Yourself! Consider taking more rigorous courses such as Honors or Advanced Placement.   Learn about the AP Program and how it can lead to college credit, advanced placement, or both at most colleges in the U.S.
• Understand North Carolina College Admissions Requirements!
• Don't fall behind - finish your Junior Year with your best GPA yet!
• Minimum admissions requirements for the 17 UNC System institutions, is a 2.5 GPA and a minimum SAT of 880 on new or 800 on old version (verbal and math) or ACT composite of 17.
• Understand the major College Entrance Exams

Junior Planning: Checklist

Spring

• Meet with your counselor during registration. Make sure you review graduation requirements/credits, ask about Midyear Graduate options or CCP if you're interested.
• All juniors will take the ACT in February or March of junior year
• Students are eligible for SAT/ACT fee waivers if they are on free/reduced lunch and/or meet economic guidelines. See your counselor for more information.
• Research colleges (www.cfnc.org or www.collegeboard.org)
• Sign up for Virtual college visits or college rep visits hosted through East Wake Student Services
• Develop a resume- a record of your academic accomplishments, extracurricular activities, and work experiences since you started high school. 
• Make a list of teachers to ask for recommendations. Send your resume to teachers and counselor by the end of junior year.
• Student Athletes should register for the NCAA Clearinghouse (https://web3.ncaa.org/ecwr3/)
• Talk to our Career Development Coordinator – Ms. Coble – kcoble@wcpss.net. Ms. Coble can connect students to career opportunities, interest inventories and local military recruiters

Summer

• Start college applications - Applications typically open in August. Students won’t submit applications until later in the Fall.
• Complete Residency Determination - https://ncresidency.cfnc.org/residencyInfo/. This is required to determine in-state tuition.
• Start researching financial aid and scholarships (www.cfnc.org, www.collegeboard.org, www.fastweb.com)
• Learn more about financial aid

Fall (Senior Year)

• Ask teachers and counselors for college recommendation letters and send resume to them
• Attend Senior Parent Night & Senior Conferences with counselors
• Complete college applications (Early deadlines are mid-October)
• Review the Senior Planning resources
• Re-take SAT or ACT if necessary
• Financial Aid- Fill out the FAFSA starting October 1