Junior Timeline - Canyon Creek Christian Academy

TIMELINE FOR JUNIORS

Begin to pray for God to give you clarity and direction about your future.
Throughout the school year, excel academically. Be a better student than you think is possible, raising your GPA/numeric average as much as possible.
Start to develop a list of your interests, educational priorities, special talents and abilities, needs, preferences, and personal qualities.
Think about why you want to go to college, clarify your reasons and write them down.
Attend the special campus visitation programs sponsored by many colleges. These programs provide you with opportunities to meet with members of faculty, deans and administrators and meet other students who are interested in the college.
Keep a list of after school and work activities, especially community service; record your time involved.
Use your legal first name on all applications, even if you go by a nickname or your middle name.
Develop a filing system for college materials you are receiving. Throw nothing away until you have decided where you will be attending.
Attend the area college fairs. CCCA will take the junior and senior classes to the college fair at Trinity Chrisitan Academy in Addison in September.
Visit with college admission counselors who visit our campus.
Obtain a social security number (if you do not already have one). Contact your local social security office for an application and instructions.

Carefully go over your PSAT/NMSQT scores this month and use the information in "Report of Student Answers" to interpret and understand your scores and to prepare for the SAT. See your academic advisor if you have questions or concerns.

If you do not have videos, viewbooks, catalogs, applications, and financial aid/scholarship information from colleges that interest you, send off for these materials immediately or access the colleges website for virtual tours, etc.
Begin to evaluate the sources of information about colleges that you have identified. Read publications carefully. Talk with your teachers, academic advisor, parents, and friends in high school and college about your thoughts and expectations.
Match up your list of your interests, educational priorities, special talents and abilities, needs, preferences, and personal qualities started in September with colleges in which you are interested. Begin to narrow your choices.

Meet with your academic advisor and parents to discuss the college selection process, your GPA, class rank and to develop a list of college options. Prepare for your upcoming ACT and SAT tests.
Register for the SAT and ACT. You should take each of them at least once in April, May or June. If possible, take both tests twice.
Start to plan how you will pay for college. Consult your advisor for helpful materials.
Write to the "Director of Financial Aid" at colleges in which you are interested and request information on scholarships and financial aid.
Visit colleges – (1) Arrange for a campus tour. (2) Request information sessions with the admissions counselor responsible for your school. (3) Meet with a professor in the area(s) of interest to you. (4) Visit other campus offices of interest: Housing, Scholarship/Financial Aid, Athletics, Career Placement, Fine Arts, etc.
Identify teachers, administrators, advisors, and other adults (pastor or employer) who could give you good letters of recommendation. Ask yourself how well they know your work, personality, and other characteristics.

Most colleges and families expect students to help pay for college cost. Use your summer to earn money for college and if possible, try to find a job related to your career interests. Consider doing an internship in a field related to your career interest.
If your ACT/SAT scores are lower than are needed for automatic admission; the summer is a good time to strengthen your skills. Consider attending a college preparatory summer program offered by many colleges.
Continue to visit colleges.