Junior  College Planning Timeline
​​Fall

• Meet with your school counselor. This meeting is especially important this year as you start to engage in the college application process. Learn more about the counselor’s role in applying to college.
• Set goals for the school year. Working toward specific goals helps you stay motivated and focused.
• Stay organized. Make weekly or monthly to-do lists to keep on top of the tasks required to get ready for applying to colleges. For more time-management tips, see 8 Ways to Take Control of Your Time.
• Get ready for the PSAT/NMSQT in October. This is a preliminary test that helps students practice for the SAT and assess their academic skills. Juniors who score well on the test are also eligible for scholarship opportunities. Find out more about the PSAT/NMSQT.

Winter

• Review your PSAT/NMSQT results. Your score report comes with a free SAT study plan. This online, customized plan is based on your test scores and can help you work on areas that need improvement. Learn more about this individualized SAT study plan.
• Prepare for college admission tests. Many juniors take college admission tests, such as the SAT and the ACT, in the spring so they can get a head start on planning for college. See which tests you may need to take.
• Discuss taking challenging courses next year. Taking college-level or honors courses as a senior can help you prepare for college work — and these are also the courses that college admission officers like to see. Learn more about advanced classes.
• Consider taking SAT Subject Tests. Many colleges require or recommend taking these tests to get a sense of your skills in a certain academic area. In general, it’s best to take a Subject Test right after taking the relevant course. Learn more about SAT Subject Tests.
• Take AP Exams. If you take AP or other advanced classes, talk with teachers now about taking these tests in May. Read more about the AP Program.

Spring

• Search for colleges that meet your needs. Once you have an idea of the qualities you are looking for in a college, enter these criteria into College Search to create a list of colleges to consider applying to.
• Research scholarships. This form of financial aid provides money for college that doesn’t need to be repaid. Learn more through College Board’s Scholarship Search.
• Attend college fairs and financial aid events. These events allow you to meet with college representatives and get answers to questions. You can ask the school counselor how to find events in your area. Check out the College Fair Checklist for more information.
• Make summer plans. Summer is a great time to explore interests and learn new skills — and colleges look for students who pursue meaningful summer activities. Look into summer learning programs or find a job or internship.
• Visit colleges. Make plans to check out the campuses of colleges you’re interested in. Use the Campus Visit Checklist to learn how to get the most out of these experiences.


• Denver Scholarship Foundation

The Denver Scholarship Foundation (DSF) nationally recognized three-part program consists of an evidence-based support system, actionable tools, and scholarships to help guide students to lifelong success.
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RYLA (Rotary Youth Leadership Awards) is a life-changing leadership training program for young men and women where leadership skills and principles are learned, developed and enhanced in an atmosphere of trust and respect. The purpose of RYLA is to encourage and assist current and potential youth leaders in methods of responsible and effective leadership. Many past RYLArians have said, "It was the best week of my life!"


TRIPLE-IMPACT COMPETITOR SCHOLARSHIP The Positive Coaching Alliance awards scholarships of $1,000-$2,000 to high school athletes, based on their essays explaining how they meet:

• Personal Mastery: Making oneself better
• Leadership: Making one's teammates better
• Honoring the Game: Making the game better.

Eligibility extends to any high school junior residing anywhere in the U.S. and playing for a high school team or in club sports!

Visit their website for more information: www.positivecoach.org/our-awards/triple-impact-competitor-scholarships



QUEST BRIDGE COLLEGE SCHOLARSHIP The QuestBridge College Prep Scholarship is designed for high school juniors who have shown outstanding academic ability despite facing economic challenges, and show the potential to attend top colleges. We do not have absolute criteria or cut-offs for GPA, standardized test scores, or income and we take a holistic approach in reviewing applications. When selecting College Prep Scholars, we try to answer the following questions:

• "Does this student have the potential to thrive at one of our partner colleges?"
• "Has this student overcome socio-economic obstacles to achieve academic excellence?"

All College Prep Scholars will receive:

• Free test prep to help you get the test scores you need to become a more competitive applicant
• Priority consideration to receive all-expense-paid campus visits and fly-in programs to the nation’s best colleges
• Early access to the National College Match application in order to get a head start
• Priority assistance from QuestBridge to strengthen your National College Match application

Visit their website for more information!                                                                                    

Denver Scholarship Foundation

DSF Junior Directory