1. What Juniors Should Know About Finding Colleges

2. 10 Steps Juniors Can Take to Help Manage Stress as Seniors Start now to lessen next year’s college admission pressure!

3. 1. Start Thinking About College Possibilities Don’t obsess, but think in broad generalities. What kind of college do you want to attend? 2-year? 4-year? Academic? Vocational? What would it look like? Where would it be? What would it offer? Start compiling a list of colleges to research. Think about stretch (or reach), right-on and safe schools.

4. 2.Start Getting Solid Information Ask parents and family friends for suggestions. Talk to your counselor and teachers. Visit the Career and College Center. Get information from friends in college and see what’s working for them. Use online resources (college web sites, AHS Career Center links).

5. 3.Get Serious About Grades Junior grades are the last ones listed in many college applications and a strong showing is valued. You can’t wait until next year to pull up your average. If you must give something up for better grades, this is the year to do it.

6. 4.Establish Good Relationships with Counselors and Teachers Private colleges and many scholarships require letters of recommendations from your counselor and chosen teachers. (UCs, CSUs and community colleges do not require letters.) Think about who would write a great letter or be your best advocate. Ask them if they would write you a letter next year. It pays to plant the seed now. Work on a personal resume to give to your recommenders.

7. 5.Take Time for a Little Self-Assessment What are you passionate about? What do you do well? What makes you unique? What should you be doing this year that you can talk about with confidence next year?

8. 6.Start Taking Notes Now for College Essay Questions Think of a college application as your black and white portrait. Your essay fills in the colors and brings you to life for the readers. Don’t repeat information in your application. Start a journal and record random thoughts. Collect ideas about important moments. How have classes influenced your choice of a college majors? Jot down thoughts about your family, school, community, talents and accomplishments and how they’ve shaped you.

9. 7.Start Preparing for and Taking Standardize Tests Get familiar with the kinds of questions asked on ACT, SAT Reasoning and SAT Subject Tests (if required). Read testing pamphlets, purchase or check- out test prep books or go online for practice questions. Take at least one series of the tests you need your junior year.

10. 8.Look For Colleges That Fit You and Your Interests With over 3000 4-year schools in the US, look beyond the the competitive, high status schools. Consider community colleges that can offer vocational training, as well honors classes and transfer programs to 4-year universities at a great price. Establish a way to compare colleges by visiting local colleges and taking their tours. Once you have a list of schools that you’ve researched, start narrowing that list down during the summer to the ones where you want to apply. Great education can happen in lots of places and the deciding factor is you!

11. 9.Start Making College Visits Check school websites for maps, tours and reservation information. If possible, go when students are on campus. Take advantage of class visits and dorm stays if available. Prepare, if an interview or portfolio of your work is required. Come with questions and take notes. Observe campus life from the student union.

12. 10.Start Thinking About Finances Begin discussing what family resources will be available for your future education. Have at least one safe financial school on your list. With this addition you need not rule out more expensive schools until you receive individual financial aid awards. Learn the financial aid lingo: FAFSA, Cal Grants, the CSS/Profile, fee waivers, PIN numbers, institutional grants, loans, WUE etc. Research scholarships by exploring the links on the AHS Career Center scholarship page.

13. Five Don’ts for Juniors Don’t worry where others are in the process. It’s not a race. Don’t spend much time worrying about majors if you’re undecided. Don’t throw away current class work. Some private colleges may ask to see graded samples. Don’t be overly influenced by good or bad campus tour guides. Make your judgment on more than the tour. Don’t be swayed by status or name brand schools. Always ask is this a place where I feel comfortable, does it have programs that interest me and could I fit in and thrive here?

14. Now Get Organized! Create a file for each college to which you plan to apply. Keep all your testing information in one place. Organize files for financial aid and scholarship information. Ask for help early if you need it. Good luck, don’t stress and enjoy the process! With thanks to Brian Vachon Rutland Herald