1. Junior Year Make it count!

2. TIMELINE - Early Fall
*What’s your post high school plan? 2 year school, 4 year school, trade school, military… there are many options!
*Review high school coursework and activity plans.
*Remember, colleges are looking for the following: Challenging coursework, strong GPA and involvement in extracurricular activities.
*Consider taking an ACT/SAT prep course to prepare for the exams. Khan Academy is a free resource at
PrepMe in Naviance is also free.
*Develop a list of 10 colleges in which you are interested. Plan to apply to at least 3-5 schools. (Try Naviance to search)
*Take the PSAT/NMSQT on October 19th . You could qualify for the National Merit Scholarship program.

3. What is National Merit?
To participate in the National Merit Scholarship program a student must:
Take the PSAT their Junior year.
Receive a qualifying score that places them in one of the following categories:
Program Recognition
Commended
Semifinalist - less than 1% of all high school graduating seniors
Finalist – approximately 7500 students each year
**Great PSAT scores can turn into big $$$$ for college!!

4. November/December
*Collect information and contact colleges you are interested in attending. Request information and research their admissions requirements, financial aid and scholarship information and deadlines.
*Attend the NISD College Fair at Byron Nelson HS on November 3rd;
6 PM – 8 PM.
*Meet with college and military reps that visit our campus.
*Talk to college students who are home for the holidays about their experiences in college.

5. January/February
*PSAT score reports should arrive. Use the guide to interpret and understand your score. Make plans to focus on and study particular areas you may need to work on before taking the SAT/ACT. Check out Prep Me in the Naviance program.
*Register to take the SAT, SAT subject tests, or ACT exams. Check with colleges to which you are applying for specific testing requirements.
You will get to take one SAT for free at Eaton on March 1st!!
*Begin making plans to visit colleges for which you are interested in attending.

6. March/April *Register for Advanced Placement (AP) exams if applicable.
*Create a personal file and high school resume with items such as community service hours, awards/honors (with dates), clubs, extracurriculars, jobs, leadership positions, etc. Continue to update!
*College visits during Spring Break.
May
*Take the SAT/ACT.
*Take any AP exams for which you registered.
*Keep your grades up!!

7. June – August
*Obtain a summer job or internship relative to your career interests.
*Look for volunteer opportunities.
*Save money to help pay for college costs.
*Schedule college visits if possible.
*Select the 5-10 colleges you believe best meet your needs, keep a record of the advantages and disadvantages of each.
*Begin thinking about personal statements for college admission essays.
*Update your personal file/high school resume.

8. What’s a transcript?? Continue to pass your classes!
One of the first things colleges and scholarships will review is your high school transcript. The transcript that will be sent in the fall of your Senior year reflects your Junior year courses. Work hard for the best possible grade.

9. GPA reminder Unweighted Weighted
*On a 4.o scale *Used to compare you with students from other schools *an “A” is an “A”, a “B” is a “B”, etc. – no extra points for advanced courses *all courses count
*On a 7.0 scale *Used for ranking at EHS *Reflects the weighted classes you take in high school, extra points for PreAP/Dual/AP *In NISD, only core, electives that fall under core and foreign language count

10. College Visits
Juniors have the opportunity to take two days and visit college campuses. The days will count as excused absences. Every college has a website and brochures but the best way to learn about a college is to visit campus. You need to bring back a dated note from the college admissions office stating that you were there on a college visit and turn it in to the Attendance office.

11. *You could qualify for federal money based on family income.
Need $$$ for school??
FAFSA-Free Application for Federal Student Aid. Start your application for FAFSA in October of your Senior year.
*You could qualify for federal money based on family income.

12. Need Money for College?? Check out the EHS Counselor
Website for a link to hundreds
of scholarships. Some are open
to Juniors.
Login and Password are northwest

13. Career Search
Naviance!!!!! Great tool for both college and career searches.
Visit career websites that help match you to possible careers that fit your personality and interests. and are two of many different websites.

14. Resume and Recommendation Letters
Start your resume now!
List all of your activities, accomplishments, awards, leadership roles, extracurriculars, community service, etc. for your entire high school career. This will come in handy when completing applications.
Most colleges and scholarships ask for recommendation letters. You might ask some of your teachers for a recommendation letter in the Spring and when you fill out applications in the summer you will already have the letters ready to send. It is a good idea to give the teachers a copy of your resume for reference.

15. Community Service
Not only does it help your community and those in need but it can help set you apart for scholarships and college acceptance.
Keep track of your hours and the person in charge of the organization/event you are helping. Make earning a Green Cord your goal – 100 hrs per year.
Add this to your resume!!

16. SAT and ACT What’s the biggest difference? The ACT has Science!
We suggest that you take your ACT/SAT in the spring of your Junior year. (Students begin applying to colleges and submitting test scores in August of Senior year.) This allows you time to retake it if you would like to improve your scores. To submit your SAT/ACT scores to colleges, visit collegeboard.org or actstudent.org.
Does your college of choice Super Score?
Super Scoring allows you to combine your highest score on each subtest from different test dates.
*you may qualify for a fee waiver, see your counselor!

17. Check your college of choice’s admission requirements!!
For example, the state of Texas no longer requires 4 SS credits with certain endorsements. But, the University of Texas says they still want to see applicants with 4 SS courses on their transcripts!!!!
Rank and GPA can matter for admissions:
Example from Texas Tech:

18. Are you interested in playing college sports?
You will need to register at the NCAA Eligibility Center. Make sure you are enrolled in approved classes and meet the qualifying scores on your SAT/ACT.
*There are different academic requirements for Div 1 and Div 2.
More information and links on the EHS Counseling page.

19. FAQ’s
Should I take the SAT or ACT? Most colleges take both, check their website.
How do I find the colleges that offer my major? Search websites or use the “College Match” option in Naviance
How do I apply for college? Apply Texas, Common App, or some schools have their own application. Check their website for applications and due dates. Start applying the summer before and early fall of your senior year.
What is TSI? Texas Success Initiative. Determines if you are ready for college level work in reading, writing and math. Required to take before beginning college, unless you are exempt based on SAT/ACT scores.
Should I apply if my admission-test scores or grades are below their published ranges? Yes. The colleges consider many factors and you may be able to get in by retaking your SAT/ACT or on a probationary status.
Should I even bother to apply if it is out of my price range? Absolutely! After financial aid packages are determined, most students will pay far less than the “sticker price” on the college website. You don’t know if you can afford a college until after you apply and find out how much aid you are offered. Fill out the FAFSA as early as possible to qualify for the most aid.
If I go to a junior college do I have to take the SAT/ACT? Most will not require it but it can make you exempt from TSI. (TSI is required at all Texas public schools) Some scholarships may ask for an SAT/ACT score.
How do I get information about joining the military? Visit with the recruiters that will be coming to the Student Union during lunches or see your counselor.

20. Important Dates, Events and Information!!!

21. Save the date November 3rd, 6 pm to 8 pm
Save the date November 3rd, 6 pm to 8 pm .District College Fair at Byron Nelson High School

22. *Join REMIND. Text @eatoncoun to 81010
*Interested in NCTC dual credit for Spring?
Come to the Go Center on Thurs, Eagle Time.
*Check your school !!
A counseling center newsletter is ed out every two weeks with valuable information.
*Utilize G-Force – UNT mentors that help with college/financial aid, etc.
*Log on to Naviance. The link is on our counseling website. The username is firstname.lastname. Password is your student ID number.
*Join REMIND. to 81010
*Take a look at the EHS Counseling website!!
Go Eagles!!

23. REMEMBER…
Your counselors are here to help! Please contact us by , online request or stop by before/after school, Eagle Time or lunch. Again, check your regularly because we may be contacting you!
You are not alone!!!!
GOAL=
*This power point will be available on the EHS Counseling page, under Juniors.