It's never too early or too late to take action to become college-ready.
As you develop your academic skills in high school, take time outside of the classroom to start tackling your college readiness checklist. There are a lot of steps to take in your junior and senior year, but we’ve broken them down below. Start talking with your counselor, family and friends and make your Next Stop College!
in your Junior Year:
Spring
- Prepare for the March SAT exam (stay up-to-date on the coronavirus impact on testing here)
- Ask your counselor about College Now and AP classes
- Check out the College Match Tool & draft your college list
- Prep & study for Regents/ retake Regents
- Document your plan for after high school, including the colleges to which you would like to apply
- Determine eligibility for opportunity programs with the help of your counselor
- Gather your family’s financial information
Summer
- Research, schedule and go on college visits
- Prepare personal statement essays
- Research & apply to scholarship opportunities
- Take College Now summer classes
- Talk to alumni & college friends about their college experiences
- Participate in a summer internship (SYEP/ Ladders for Leaders), volunteer or work to gain skills & experience
in your Senior Year:
Fall
- Revise your college list and make sure it includes strong match colleges!
- Retake SAT* (Many schools have temporarily suspended standardized testing requirements including CUNY & SUNY)
- Apply to CUNYs, SUNYs, and private/out-of-state colleges
- Complete financial aid applications (FAFSA, TAP, DREAM)
*Ask your counselor for a fee waiver
Winter
- Complete opportunity program and other supplemental applications (list of schools requiring CSS profile)
- Apply to scholarships in time to meet application deadlines
Spring
- Review and compare college offers with counselor & family
- Attend accepted students events and campus tours
- Select your college & submit your deposit-or have it waived!
- Check college portal for enrollment tasks and financial aid
“When I was in high school, I prepared for college by meeting with my college guidance counselor when I was a sophomore. He was the one who recommended me to take AP and College Now courses to help me save money and get a sense of what it’s like to be in college.”
Nataly T., John Jay College of Criminal Justice
