Junior Year Calendar:

What to do When

Jan

Feb

Mar

Monthly tips are provided as a courtesy from CollegePlanning.org.
If you would like to receive these monthly tips via mail call 877-272-4692.

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Jul

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Obtain and begin working on college applications and essays.
Polish your résumé, and if required, assemble writing samples, portfolios or audition tapes.
Beware of credit card offers! It is easy to quickly get in over your head. Talk to your parents. It may not be necessary to have a credit card while in high school.
BEWARE of scholarship search and financial aid service organizations that charge a fee for service. Much of the information you may be seeking is available at no cost. Check with your high school guidance office or search for free on our web site. We can also help you through the financial aid process for FREE.
Get ready for your senior year!

Aug

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BEWARE of scholarship search and financial aid service organizations that charge a fee for service. Much of the information you may be seeking is available at no cost. Check with your high school guidance office or search for free on our web site. We can also help you through the financial aid process for FREE.

Sep

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Check with your guidance counselor to see if you should take the Preliminary Scholastic Assessment Test (PSAT). These scores are used to determine National Merit Scholars.
Discuss with your parents and guidance counselor what is important to you in a college (i.e., size, type, location, programs, facilities, costs, academic quality, etc.).
Attend college fairs in your area and meet with college representatives who visit your high school. The Golden Circle College Fair is Sunday, October 1st, 2006, at the Polk County Convention Complex (501 Grand Ave) in downtown Des Moines from 12:30-3:30 p.m. This is the largest college fair in Iowa. Approximately 150 colleges will be represented from all over the country. Check our web site for other College Fairs in Iowa.
Begin gathering information about colleges that interest you and start a list of those that you may like to attend. You can link directly to Iowa college homepages from our web site www.collegeplanning.org.

Oct

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Fall college fairs are nearing an end. Ask your high school conselor for a date and location of the remaining college fairs across the state.
Have you visited with your guidance counselor on ways to enhance your chances for college entrance?
Have you started to gather information on the colleges you may want to attend? Visit our web site to link to all Iowa colleges or to do an on-line college search.
Explore college and career options related to your interests within Choices Planner by visiting the Iowa Choices portal at www.collegeplanning.org/iowachoices.

Nov

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Review brochures, catalogs, and web sites of the colleges that interest you. Make a list of 10 to 15 colleges that fit your requirements.
Use the College Planning Center College Checklist to track important deadlines for each college. Find a copy of the checklist at www.collegeplanning.org/ChooseCollege/CollegeChecklist.htm or call our office for your copy at 877-272-4692.
Plan to take the SAT and/or ACT exams. Become familiar with registration and test dates. Check the entrance requirements of the colleges to see which test(s) you need to take.
BEWARE of scholarship search and financial aid service organizations that charge a fee for service. Much of the information you may be seeking is available at no cost. Check with your high school guidance office or search for free on our web site. We can also help you through the financial aid process for FREE.
Look into your options for campus visits. Some colleges organize special visit days for juniors.

Dec

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Attend a Financial Aid Night to become familiar with the financial aid process and the different types of assistance available. Ask your high school guidance counselor or check our web site for dates and locations.
Begin to research scholarships. Keep an ongoing file of scholarship and financial aid information (i.e., criteria, amounts, contact persons, and deadlines). Check out www.collegeplanning.org for free scholarship searches.
Need help? Our services are FREE of charge! Call for an appointment at 877-272-4692
Register if planning to take the January SAT test (deadline is 12/26/06) or the February ACT test (deadline is 1/5/07). Take practice tests online or visit local bookstore or library. Excellent study guides are available. Visit The College Planning Center's web site for helpful links.

Jan

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Begin scheduling visits to the three to five colleges at the top of your list.
Get involved. Colleges seek well-rounded students with good grades and those who have been active in school activities or community organizations.
Organize scholarship information according to deadline. Keep a calendar with application deadlines so you will not miss any.
If you plan to take the February ACT test, make sure you Register by January 5, 2007. Take practice tests online or visit your local bookstore or library for excellent study guides. Visit our web site at www.collegeplanning.org for helpful links.
Although financial aid is available from a variety of sources, you and your parents are expected to contribute to your education. Have you been saving for this important investment?
Need help? All College Planning Center's services are FREE of charge! Visit their office at 160 S. 68th St. - Suite 1101, West Des Moines, or call them at 877-272-4692.

Feb

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Investigate careers.
Make sure your senior year includes required credits to meet the college entrance requirements. Talk to you counselor about AP courses and CLEP tests. Consider taking honors or college level classes while still in high school.
Put together a résumé listing your activities, volunteer experiences, academic achievements and employment.
Register by March 9, 2007, if planning to take the ACT test on April 14, 2007.

Mar

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Attend college fairs in your areas. Ask your guidance counselor for more information.
Schedule college visits if you have not already done so. Call ahead to arrange campus tours. Visit CollegePlanning.org to find suggested questions to ask during your campus visit.
During college visits, make sure to meet with an admissions representative and a financial aid officer to find out what type of aid is available.
Consider which teachers, employers or other adults you will ask to write your letters of recommendation. Request letters at least two weeks in advance.
Need help? Our services are FREE of charge! Visit our office: 160 S. 68th St. - Suite 1101, West Des Moines, IA 50266

Apr

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Consider taking the Advanced Placement (AP) exams while information is fresh in your mind. Check with your high school counselor for more information.
Register to take the June 9 ACT by May 4 and/or the June 2 SAT test by April 27.

Still looking for a college? Ask your counselor about how Choices Planner and the School Finder can help you with your search!

Take notes and compare your impressions of each college after your visits. For help in this process, use the College Notes chart on page 15 of our College Planning Center booklet.

Don't forget to update your summer reading list. Relax this summer by reading.

Have questions? Our services are FREE of charge! Visit our NEW office at 160 S. 68th St. - Suite 1101, West Des Moines, IA 50266-9862.

May

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Spend time thinking about what you want out of your college experience and what environment you will find the most comfortable. Take an inventory of what is important to you, review your career plans, and find a college that is a good fit for you.
Obtain a summer job related to your career interest or volunteer for a community service project. Be sure and save some of your summer earnings for college expenses. It's never too early to start saving for college.
Are you still unsure of your career interests? Ask your counselor about how an assessment on Choices Planner can help you choose a career pathway.

If you plan on taking Advanced Placement exams, now is the time to check with your school counselor for more information.
Consider taking a summer course at a local college.
BEWARE of scholarship search and financial aid service organizations that charge a fee for service. Much of the information you may be seeking is available at no cost. Check with your high school guidance office or search for free on our web site. We can also help you through the financial aid process for FREE.

Jun

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If you have not visited all of the colleges on your list, schedule a college visit. Go to www.collegeplanning.org/ChooseCollege/IowaCollegeCosts1.htm to find a list of all Iowa colleges and their phone numbers.
Use the Internet to gather information on your preferred colleges. Visit the "Choosing a College" section of the College Planning Center's web site.
Finalize your college choices and highlight the features offered at each college that are important to you.
Be prepared to begin applying for scholarships during the summer or soon after. Write essays for private scholarship applications. Find links to free scholarship searches in the financial aid section of our web site.
Take the June ACT or SAT exams if you registered for them.