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· GET INVOLVED in activities in school AND in the community! Keep a list of activities in which you participate.

· STUDY hard and work to achieve the best grade point average you can.

· Begin thinking about your career choice. Interview and/or shadow professionals in the careers of interest to you.

· Take the Cognitive Abilities (COGAT) and Terra Nova tests seriously. The scores can be used to indicate areas in which you are weak. Also, practicing standardized test-taking skills will prepare you for future standardized tests, like the SATs.

· Your guidance counselor, Sister Carolyn Mullen, is an excellent resource to learn study and test-taking skills, to identify career and activity interests, to help with the transition to high school, and to assist with any personal, social, or academic issues you may be experiencing.

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· STAY INVOLVED! Staying consistently active in school and community organizations looks good to the colleges. Keep an updated list of activities in which you participate.

· KEEP STUDYING! Maintaining a high grade point average will assist you in getting into the college/school of your choice.

· Take the PSATs and Terra Nova tests seriously. Again, use these tests to help yourself improve your test-taking skills and identify weaknesses. The PSATs will give you an indication of how you will do on the SATs.

· Continue thinking about your career path and start to investigate requirements for that career so that you may take the appropriate courses in high school.

· Begin to look into colleges that offer majors related to your career choice. Attend college fairs and open houses. Begin visiting college campuses.

· As you continue your career search and begin exploring college options, you will want to establish a relationship with your new counselor, Mr. Steven Merkel (A-G), Ms. Jennifer Kelly (H-Mc), or Mr. Eric Wilkinson (Me-Z). Besides having a wealth of knowledge and resources, your counselor will play an integral part in helping you attain acceptance into the college of your choice. This will work best if he/she knows you well. Your counselor is available for personal and social concerns as well.

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· STAY INVOLVED! Keep adding to your list of activities. Be sure to note any leadership positions you might have held.

· KEEP STUDYING! This is an important year for your grade point average. Your cumulative average at the end of your junior year is the one that will be reported to the colleges as you begin to apply in the fall of your senior year.

· Take the PSAT test seriously. This year the results of the test may qualify you for the National Merit Scholarship. Also, the PSAT provides another practice run for the SAT test.

· TAKE THE SAT I test at least twice this year. You do not want to be scrambling in the fall trying to bring up your SAT scores. Some scholarships determine eligibility based on junior year SAT scores.

· NARROW DOWN your list of colleges to which you will apply. You should apply to an average of five schools.

· Start thinking about teachers from whom you may request recommendations. You may even want to ask those teachers for recommendations before the end of the school year if you plan to apply to college over the summer or in September.

· Be sure to continue meeting with your counselor to discuss career, academic, social, and personal concerns.

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· STAY INVOLVED! Complete your list of activities and provide a copy to your guidance counselor and to the teachers who will write recommendations for you. Also, keep a copy to provide to the colleges if they request it.

· KEEP STUDYING! Even if you have been accepted to a college, your academic performance this year is important. Colleges have the right to withdraw their acceptance if your academic performance does not meet their standards. Also, your performance this year may result in a scholarship.

· Take the SAT I in October and/or November if you are still not satisfied with your scores.

· Take the SAT II if the college of your choice requires it.

· APPLY to your chosen colleges in September, October, or November. You should apply as early as possible even if the deadlines are not until March or April.

· Schedule an INTERVIEW with an admissions counselor at the schools to which you are applying.

· Keep in contact with your counselor. Your counselor will be able to assist you in completing your college applications and handling any problems that may arise during the process. Your counselor will have information about scholarships and financial aid as well.

· SUBMIT COPIES of your acceptance letters and any scholarship letters that you receive to your guidance counselor so that these may be published.

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