11TH GRADE COLLEGE PLANNING: Eleventh grade is year of planning for college-- taking standardized test (ACT and SAT), narrowing your college list, preparing your resume, considering teacher recommendations, reviewing a college application, and investigating financial aid. 5 Questions 11th grade students must ask while college and career planning (from ACT) (see other resources below)
FALL
--Stay on track with your academic course work. Continue taking challenging classes and putting forth the effort needed to earn good grades.
---Register and take the PSAT (Pre-SAT-- 3rd Wednesday in October) for a fee. Prepare to take this test
because it can qualify you for College & Career Promise coursework and scholarship opportunity
through College Board's National Merit Program.
--- Evaluate your post-secondary options. Start making decisions about 2-year college, 4-year college,
trade school, military or employment opportunities. If you are interested in the Military or Military
Academy--begin the process now.
---Continue gathering college information from College Fairs or LUNCH sessions as well as internet
searching.
---Develop a college entrance exam (ACT, PSAT, SAT and SAT 2) testing plan--determine which tests you need/required to take and make a calendar plan including deadlines for registering for these exams.
January of your junior year is a great time to start. All NC 11th graders are required to take the ACT in
March.
---ACT Prep Guide by Best Colleges.com--http://www.bestcolleges.com/resources/act-prep/
---Athletes: make sure you are meeting the NCAA requirements and rules.
WINTER
--Stay involved with your organizations or groups. Make a commitment to leadership or level engagement/activity. It's more important to demonstrate level of engagement than lots of activities.
---Create an organizational structure for your college information: timeline, items, dates, etc.
---Begin narrowing down your college selection by using the criteria you have been developing.
---Prepare for your ACT or SAT using the resources below.
---Continue the family discussion about college application and financing.
---Contact admissions to begin visiting college campuses that you have an interest in learning more
about.
SPRING
---Meet with your counselor to develop your 12th grade course selection. Continue adding rigor to your selections and
consider all of your course options. See High School Course Guide for programs and descriptions.
---Begin your scholarship search using the resources below and other internet tools. Ask your parents about
scholarships available through their employer, church, or organizations they belong to.
--Prepare your resume (including your activities and awards from 9th grade).
---Finalize your list of people to write you a recommendation (teacher, counselor, club sponsor, coach, etc.).
---Apply for a summer job, program, internship, etc. Use your time wisely.
---Continue visiting campus to finalize your college list.
SUMMER
---Begin working on your college essay (if needed).
---Learn more about the colleges your are considering--contact students in attendance or relatives who
attended.
--Continue visiting college admissions and financial aid offices.
--Organize your financial aid information (application opens October 1st).
---Make decision on application timeline (Early Action/Notification, Early Decision, Regular, etc.)
College Entrance Exam Information
**11th graders may register for the PSAT 11 in October
---there is a registration fee ($10--15)
--- Students may only qualify for National Merit Scholarships by taking the PSAT 11 in their junior year
---Students with disabilities must be approved in advance to receive testing accommodations (encouraged to apply in 10th grade year prior to PSAT 10) This is a link for information https://www.collegeboard.org/students-with-disabilities
---Visit www.collegeboard.org for practice and additional information
**11th graders are also encouraged to take the SAT 1: Reasoning Exam during the spring of the junior year and then again in the fall of senior year if looking to improve spring score.
** All 11th graders are required to take the ACT in March
---11th graders are automatically registered (no fee)
---Students with disabilities are required to request approval for accommodations by Nov. 1st Link for additional information http://www.act.org/content/act/en/products-and-services/the-act/taking-the-test/services-for-examinees-with-disabilities.html
--Students can use the following sites for preparation and learn more information
www.actstudent.org or www.cfnc.org
---Students are then encouraged to re-take the exam in the fall of the senior year if looking to improve score.
Resources
--College Foundation of NC-- Visit www.cfnc.org and then click PLAN for COLLEGE
--College Board--Visit www.collegeboard.org for Big Future and other college related areas
---ACT--visit www.actstudent.org for planning and preparation information
---5 Questions 11th grade students must ask while college and career planning (from ACT)
--Petersons-- Visit www.petersons.com for college related information
--Stay on track with your academic course work. Continue taking challenging classes and putting forth the effort needed to earn good grades.
---Register and take the PSAT (Pre-SAT-- 3rd Wednesday in October) for a fee. Prepare to take this test
because it can qualify you for College & Career Promise coursework and scholarship opportunity
through College Board's National Merit Program.
--- Evaluate your post-secondary options. Start making decisions about 2-year college, 4-year college,
trade school, military or employment opportunities. If you are interested in the Military or Military
Academy--begin the process now.
---Continue gathering college information from College Fairs or LUNCH sessions as well as internet
searching.
---Develop a college entrance exam (ACT, PSAT, SAT and SAT 2) testing plan--determine which tests you need/required to take and make a calendar plan including deadlines for registering for these exams.
January of your junior year is a great time to start. All NC 11th graders are required to take the ACT in
March.
---ACT Prep Guide by Best Colleges.com--http://www.bestcolleges.com/resources/act-prep/
---Athletes: make sure you are meeting the NCAA requirements and rules.
WINTER
--Stay involved with your organizations or groups. Make a commitment to leadership or level engagement/activity. It's more important to demonstrate level of engagement than lots of activities.
---Create an organizational structure for your college information: timeline, items, dates, etc.
---Begin narrowing down your college selection by using the criteria you have been developing.
---Prepare for your ACT or SAT using the resources below.
---Continue the family discussion about college application and financing.
---Contact admissions to begin visiting college campuses that you have an interest in learning more
about.
SPRING
---Meet with your counselor to develop your 12th grade course selection. Continue adding rigor to your selections and
consider all of your course options. See High School Course Guide for programs and descriptions.
---Begin your scholarship search using the resources below and other internet tools. Ask your parents about
scholarships available through their employer, church, or organizations they belong to.
--Prepare your resume (including your activities and awards from 9th grade).
---Finalize your list of people to write you a recommendation (teacher, counselor, club sponsor, coach, etc.).
---Apply for a summer job, program, internship, etc. Use your time wisely.
---Continue visiting campus to finalize your college list.
SUMMER
---Begin working on your college essay (if needed).
---Learn more about the colleges your are considering--contact students in attendance or relatives who
attended.
--Continue visiting college admissions and financial aid offices.
--Organize your financial aid information (application opens October 1st).
---Make decision on application timeline (Early Action/Notification, Early Decision, Regular, etc.)
College Entrance Exam Information
**11th graders may register for the PSAT 11 in October
---there is a registration fee ($10--15)
--- Students may only qualify for National Merit Scholarships by taking the PSAT 11 in their junior year
---Students with disabilities must be approved in advance to receive testing accommodations (encouraged to apply in 10th grade year prior to PSAT 10) This is a link for information https://www.collegeboard.org/students-with-disabilities
---Visit www.collegeboard.org for practice and additional information
**11th graders are also encouraged to take the SAT 1: Reasoning Exam during the spring of the junior year and then again in the fall of senior year if looking to improve spring score.
** All 11th graders are required to take the ACT in March
---11th graders are automatically registered (no fee)
---Students with disabilities are required to request approval for accommodations by Nov. 1st Link for additional information http://www.act.org/content/act/en/products-and-services/the-act/taking-the-test/services-for-examinees-with-disabilities.html
--Students can use the following sites for preparation and learn more information
www.actstudent.org or www.cfnc.org
---Students are then encouraged to re-take the exam in the fall of the senior year if looking to improve score.
Resources
--College Foundation of NC-- Visit www.cfnc.org and then click PLAN for COLLEGE
--College Board--Visit www.collegeboard.org for Big Future and other college related areas
---ACT--visit www.actstudent.org for planning and preparation information
---5 Questions 11th grade students must ask while college and career planning (from ACT)
--Petersons-- Visit www.petersons.com for college related information