HS juniors: start the application

use may before summer to view and start the application

May is a great time to start your college application. It would be a good time to draft your essays, contact teachers who can write your recommendation, and complete the common app for later submission.

By completing these tasks before the fun of summer begins, you will be ready to get your college application completed when you return as a senior.

Below are four (4) quick summary tasks for the month of may:

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scroll to summary tasks

for HS seniors

Quick Monthly Checkup

A brief checklist:

You should have completed your list of colleges that you would like to attend. Your college list should include a profile of college costs, admission requirements, and study programs.
Compare the colleges of your choice with each other. Do a virtual tour of the college campus.
Have you consider a major or field of study? Get the information you need to make the right collegiate decision.
If you taken the college entrance exams, you need to register and sit for exams in the fall.

may tasks for HS juniors

Review the College Application

Time to get things ready for college admission. You will need to have the following items ready when you submit your application.

So start early to avoid the last minute rush:

Early Admission:
deadlines are in early November
Regular Admissions:
deadlines are in January-February

What's needed:

Request an application form from each of your colleges.
Your college admissions application will most likely require 1- 2 essays. Use the weekends to write and edit your essays.
Most college admissions require 1-2 recommendations from teachers and/or community leaders. Select who should write your recommendation.
Study for your college entrance exams if you are taking them this fall. Colleges require different college entrance exams. You need to check with your college to determine which exam to take.
Double check your transcripts when you start your senior year. You will need to forward these transcripts to colleges for admission review.
Take a swim, tennis, karate or other class over the fall semester (either with your school or community group). You want to show well-roundness in your application.

may tasks for HS juniors

Plan Campus Visits

You should schedule time during the Summer months to visit your colleges of choice. Make the trip during a weekend or as a family event. These visits will give you a good indication whether or not you would like to attend.

What to do when you make a visit:

Plan to visit the college for a full day. Attend when the school is in session, if possible.
Arrange an interview with the admission office.
Meet with the financial aid office to get all related financial aid information offered by that school.
Check out the library,student unions,sporting facilities, and academic centers. Walk the campus to familiarize yourself with the layout.
Review housing facilities and dormitories to determine whether to live on-campus or off-campus housing. Note the college rules for housing. Some colleges require first-time Freshmen to live in dormitories.
Schedule time to speak with students and faculty visit the clubs and societies that are part of the campus life. Check campus rules, safety programs, and facilities that maintain the safety of the campus.
Drive around the surrounding community to familiarize yourself with restaurants, theaters, rec areas, job opportunities, etc.

view your college online
	start with a virtual tour

may tasks for HS juniors

Get a Summer Job

Use the summer to raise money you will need for college. That money can be used for tuition, housing, transportation and even entertainment.

If you worked last summer with a job that you liked, go back and see if you can work with them again. Or try to find a different summer job that fits your career goals: