11th GRADE This year the college search process begins in earnest. Exploration and testing should help you and your child to start developing a list of target schools by spring. Poor grades will not be as easily forgiven as those from previous years, and colleges will look for commitment and accomplishment outside of the classroom. September: ___ Note the date the PSAT/NMSQT will take place and make sure your junior registers in the Guidance Office to take the test, even if s/he took it as a sophomore. Only junior scores are used for National Merit qualification, and this is the last chance for a practice SAT. At NHS, juniors will need to register and pay a $10 fee. ____ Ask the Guidance Department about college fairs in your area and college admissions representative visits to the school. Encourage your child to attend fairs and sessions with reps at school. _____You and your child should begin to familiarize yourself with Guidance Office resources, such as college catalogues and information about how to obtain them; information about applications, financial aid, scholarships, college fairs and open houses; and test registration information and materials. Scheduled visits from college representatives can also be found in the Daily Announcements on www.hamphigh.org. ____Obtain a Social Security number for you child, if you have not previously done so. October: ____ Consider a day trip to visit nearby colleges. (Eager beavers will be ready. Other garden-variety college prospects can wait until next spring or summer.) Don't worry if these are places where your child won't apply. The goal is to explore different types of schools. Aim for variety. Discuss which characteristics are appealing and which aren't. December: ____PSAT scores will be returned usually in mid-December. If you have questions about your child's scores, contact the Guidance Counselor. If necessary, discuss strategies for improving weak areas. Evaluate different SAT prep options, as needed. ____Begin informal brainstorming about possible target colleges, with test results in mind. ____Take advantage of college students home for vacation. Ask them questions. Ask their parents questions. Ask your child to ask even more questions. ____Take an introductory look at financial aid forms just to see what you'll need by this time next year. January: ____Evaluate academic progress so far. Are grades up to par? Are course levels on target? Do study habits need improvement? ____Begin thinking about worthwhile summer plans (job, study, camp, volunteer work, travel, etc.). ____Mark projected SAT I & II or ACT test dates on family calendar. Also mark registration deadlines. February: ____Look ahead to SAT or ACT registration deadlines for the tests your child plans to take. Are you about to miss one? Mark appropriate dates on your calendar. (Some juniors take the SAT I in March. If your child will do so, heed February registration deadline.) ____Buy a general guidebook to U.S. colleges and universities. March: ____Consider and plan spring vacation college visits. ____Ask your child to begin thinking about the teachers from whom s/he will want to request recommendations. We suggest several (2 - 3), with an emphasis on quality and relationship; one, at least, should be academic. ____Begin listing target colleges in a notebook ("The College Bible") ____Visit college Web sites. Begin calling, writing, or e-mailing target colleges to request publications. ____Set aside an area for college propaganda. Invest in folders for materials from front-runner schools. ____Look ahead to SAT or ACT registration deadlines for the tests your child plans to take. ____Make sure your child discusses plans to take Advanced Placement exams with teachers and/or guidance counselor, as needed. ____Discuss senior year classes. Urge your child to include at least one math course or lab science, as well as the most challenging courses possible. Recognize that colleges weigh senior classes and grades as heavily as the junior record. April: ____Look ahead to SAT or ACT registration deadlines for the tests your child plans to take. ____Update Activities Record. May: ____Look ahead to SAT or ACT (or AP) registration deadlines for the tests your child plans to take. Are you about to miss one? Mark appropriate test and registration dates on your calendar. ____Assess the need for and affordability of special services such as standardized test prep courses, independent college counselors and private group tour programs ____If your son/daughter has a teacher or teachers from whom he/she will ultimately want to request a letter of recommendation, this is a good time to ask the teacher, before the crunch time of senior year. ____Does your child need to take the TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language)? Select date and oversee registration. ____Attend Junior Parents' Night. June: ____Look ahead to SAT or ACT registration deadlines for the tests your child plans to take. ____Take advantage of the summer slow-down by visiting scholarship search and financial aid Web sites or checking out comparable library resources. Summer: ____Make sure your child has a job or constructive activities throughout most of the summer. Study, jobs, and volunteer work always rate high with admission officials. ____Consider and plan summer and fall college visits. ____Oversee standardized test preparation, as needed. ____Request publications from additional target colleges. ____Plan and execute supplemental submissions such as audition tapes and art slides/portfolios, if required and/or appropriate. ____Review and update target college list. Include pros and cons. Make tentative plans for fall visits.