• Above all else juniors should concentrate on doing well in classes. College admissions committees sometimes weigh junior and senior grades more heavily. Nothing takes the place of doing well in a rigorous curriculum. Make no mistake: This is a very important year.

• Attend College Night for juniors offered by the College Counseling Office for an overview of the college process as it applies to juniors and their parents.

• Juniors are invited and encouraged to attend sessions with college representatives visiting Hammond. Visit schedules are included Daily Announcements and are also posted on the bulletin board outside the College Counseling Office. (Student must first clear attendance with subject area teacher whose class will be affected, and the student is responsible for any work missed.)

• Begin to think about preferences in colleges such as location, size, liberal arts or technical emphasis, coed/single sex, reputation, activities available, majors/course offerings, cost, etc.

• Register for either the in-state or the out-of-state college tour which will take place in November.
  
• Begin preparing for the PSAT by reading PSAT/SAT review books on your own.
  
  

  -Top-

OCTOBER

• Following interims juniors should evaluate academic standings in all coursework and make adjustments in study habits and daily routines to ensure peak performance. Meet with faculty to explore their suggestions for personal improvement strategies. Schedule and attend extra help sessions where necessary. Remember: Juniors should concentrate on doing well in classes.
  
• Hammond juniors have the privilege of attending a PSAT Prep Course on campus prior to the October PSAT. Take full advantage of this opportunity by paying close attention and actively involving yourself in the process.
  
• Take the PSAT. Although the freshmen and sophomore year PSAT was given for practice, the junior year scores are used to qualify you as a National Merit Semifinalist and a scholarship candidate. As you complete your PSAT answer sheet, mark that you wish to receive materials from the College Scholarship Search Committee, and colleges will send you information about their schools if your PSAT suggests that you would qualify for admission.
  
• Attend appropriate college rep visits on campus.
  
  

  -Top-

NOVEMBER

• Meet with Mrs. Bickley during a free period for your Fall Semester 1-on-1Conference. Be ready to discuss first quarter grades, yearly goals, GPA, SAT plans, and initial college interests.
  
• Attend appropriate college rep visits on campus.
  
• Take part in either the in-state or the out-of-state college tour sponsored by the College Counseling Office. Make good use of all the tour has to offer. Pay attention, ask questions, listen as others ask questions, learn how to visit a college campus, and develop a feel for what type of campus best suits you as an individual.
  
• Continue to concentrate on doing well in classes. First semester exams are just around the corner.
  
  

  -Top-

DECEMBER

• PSAT Score Reports will arrive around the second week of the month. The College Counseling Office will schedule an information session. You will learn to analyze your score report and how to tailor your preparation for the SAT based on your personal PSAT performance.
  
• Prepare carefully for First Semester Exams well in advance of test dates.
  
• Register for January SAT if you plan to take it.
  
• Talk with first year college students who are home during the holidays. These folks have survived the college application process and can share valuable first-hand experience in making the college choice. Ask them for hints about how to make the college search more productive…and what they would do differently if they were to do it again.
  
  

  -Top-

JANUARY

• Start fresh this semester with strong study habits and a commitment to doing well in all your classes.
  
• Use winter evenings to explore internet resources and identify possible college choices. College web sites hold a wealth of information and many offer virtual tours.
  
• Spend some time reviewing for the SAT.
  
• Take the January SAT if you have planned to do so.
  
• Juniors should begin to plan a significant summer experience.
  
• Register for the March/April SAT.
  
• The College Counseling Office will sponsor two sessions of the JuniorSymposium. The first session will be designed for junior parents. The second session will be designed for juniors themselves. Select several breakout sessions that interest you and use the symposium as an opportunity to learn more about the college admission process.

• Immediately following the Junior Symposium, junior families should schedule a Family College Conference with Mrs. Bickley. You will receive a copy of the Hammond College Information Guide and an overview of the college search/application process. You will also receive a copy of the Getting Started packet that must be completed prior to the fall family conference as the information it provides will be an integral part of that conversation.
  
  

  -Top-

FEBRUARY

• Concentrate on doing well in all your classes. Don’t fall victim to a mid-winter slump.
  
• Continue your college investigations. Begin to formulate a list of schools that interest you. You should have at least three schools at this point.
  
• Juniors will have the privilege of attending a SAT Prep short course sponsored by the College Counseling Office.
  
• Review for the March/April SAT.
  
• Continue planning for a significant summer experience.
  
  

  -Top-

MARCH

• Continue to concentrate on doing well in your classes.
  
• Take the March SAT if offered. If not, juniors should take the April SAT.
  
• Continue to explore college possibilities. Check admission requirements against the academic preparation you have. Your list should be made up of 3-5 college possibilities at this point.
  
• Meet with Mrs. Bickley for your Family College Conference if you have not already done so.
  
• Plan and make a college visit in the not-too-distant future. It’s never too early to begin your search.
  
• Register for the May/June SAT or SAT II’s (if necessary based on your college interests).
  
• Participate in an Application Essay Writing Workshops for juniors in English classes.
  
• Finalize plans for a significant summer experience
  
  

  -Top-

APRIL

• Continue to concentrate on doing well in classes.
  
• Meet with Mrs. Bickley for your Family College Conference if you have not already done so.
  
• Review for May SAT.
  
• Work on college essays. Juniors are required to submit final drafts of application essaysto Junior English teacher (Due date TBA)
  
• Continue researching college options.
  
• Make use of pretty spring weather and plan a college visit.
  
  

  -Top-

MAY

• Continue to concentrate on doing well in classes. Final exams are just around the corner.
  
• Take the SAT or the SAT II’s (if necessary based on college interests)
  
• Work on college essay if you have not already submitted a final draft to your junior English teacher.
  
• Carefully consider course choices for next year. Discuss choices with parents. See Mrs. Bickley before submitting course choice form.
  
• Prepare for and take AP Exams if enrolled in an AP course.
  
• Before school ends juniors should give Mrs. Bickley a list of current college choices.
  
  

  -Top-

JUNE/JULY/AUGUST

• Take June SAT/SAT II’s (if necessary based on your college interests)
  
• Develop your resume using format contained in your college counseling guidebook. Your resume should be completed by August 1.
  
• Visit colleges and continue to refine college list.
  
• Request application materials from individual colleges.
  
• Participate in a significant summer experience. Remember: Colleges want to know how you spent your time.
  
• Read, read, read.
  
  

  -Top-