This document provides a junior college planning timeline and overview. It outlines steps for students in the junior year, including self-discovery, school visits, standardized test planning, a junior college workshop, family meetings, additional scheduled meetings, roles and responsibilities, and how to work with the college counselor.

1. Junior
College
Planning
Timeline
So it begins…

2. What are your ?
“It isn’t about getting
in—it’s about getting
out with a degree,
about being able to
read, write, think, lead
and follow(and know
when to do those
things). It’s about
making the most of your
talents and skills in and
out of the classroom.”

3.  Self-discovery: learning styles, favorite subjects,
possible majors and career paths. What do you
need from a college in order to learn and be
successful? to get out with an appropriate degree
and skills?
 Visits to ”types” of schools: big, small, technical,
liberal arts
Explore
Now

4. Test Planning
 Students can practice by PSAT and PLAN: rational prep rather
than overkill
 SAT/ACT typically spring of junior year and fall of senior year
There are exceptions. Review PSAT scores before testing plan
 Testing too early can cause more anxiety and lower scores.
“Score choice” confusion
 800+ colleges that are test-optional: Bowdoin, Connecticut
College, Denison, Furman, George Mason, NYU, Wake Forest
 Reading is the best test prep: comprehension, speed and
vocabulary

5. Junior College Workshop
 November 30, all day
 Studentsneed to bring 1.5”
binder with 4-5 pocket
dividers
 CollegePlanning Manual,
with handouts and room to
add and store materials and
information

6. Workshop
 Self exploration: How to define your needs
 Generalresearch: How to find colleges that
meet your criteria
 Focused research: How to learn about those
colleges through print and websites
 Campus based research: visits and interviews
 Testing: What, where and when

7. Workshop con’t
 Application:
Common App
Extracurricular/Activities Lists
Transcripts
Profile
Teacher Recommendations
Counselor/Secondary School Report
Student Portal
Mock Admissions Committee with
complete applications

8. Family
Meetings
 Individual questions, concerns, directions
 Review of workshop with parents
 Process for transcripts and recommendations
 Financial Aid
 Visits over spring vacation
 Testing plans
 College list suggestions
 Athletics
 Student Portal

9. Additional Scheduled Meetings
 March/April:Family meeting to review visits,
testing and college list
 May: Essay writing workshop with students
 September: Family meetings to finalize list
 Whenever you need to meet!

10. Roles and Responsibilities
 Counselor: To facilitate student learning and
exploration, serve as information and support
resource for parents and students, coordinate
transcripts and write school reports.
 Parents: Encourage and support your student in this
process. Discuss financial and geographic
constraints now. Arrange campus visits. Allow
student to have control.
 Student: Drives this process, and is ultimately the
one responsible for deadlines, ethical behavior and
final outcomes, whether positive or negative

11. How to use the
College Counselor
 ThroughDecember, I am on campus all day
Mondays and Wednesdays, other times by
appointment. Email is the best way to
schedule an appointment.
 Forquick questions, email is best. But you can
also text at 704-458-8929.