Your Junior year marks the halfway point of your high school journey! This is an important year to focus and get serious about post-high school planning, whether that means college (2-year, 4-year, technical, or vocational), joining the military, or entering the workforce. Now is the time to really think about your future. Visit colleges, find out what your skills and interests are, get an internship, or volunteer.

• Maintaining your grades during your junior year is important! Colleges put a lot of weight on your marks for this year.
• If you're choosing your senior year classes, look for classes that will give you a strong transcript. You’ll also want to look for classes that will fit your college study plans.
• Decide if you are going to apply under any early decision or early action programs. This requires you to submit your applications early, typically between October and December of your senior year.
• Talk to teachers about writing letters of recommendation for you. Think about what you would like to include in these and politely ask your teachers if they can help.
• Make a file to manage your college search, testing, and application data. If appropriate (for example, if you’re interested in drama, music, art, sports, etc.), start to gather material for a portfolio.
• Estimate your financial aid need. Financial aid can help you afford college. Use the College Board’s Getting Financial Aid and the financial aid calculator at bigfuture.org to estimate how much aid you might receive.
• Sign up to take the SAT®. You can register online or through your school. SAT fee waivers are available to eligible students. To prepare for the SAT, you can access free, personalized SAT practice tools at satpractice.org, including thousands of interactive questions, video lessons, practice tests, and more.
• Register with the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) Eligibility Center if you are an athlete planning to continue playing a sport in college (ncaaclearinghouse.net).
• Get your FSA ID: Before you can fill out your FAFSA, you need to get a username and password (also known as an FSA ID).
• Find a full-time or part-time job, or participate in a summer camp or summer college program.
• Visit colleges. When planning your campus visits, make sure to allow time to explore each college. While you’re there, talk to as many people as possible. These can include college admission staff, professors, and students. Take campus tours and, at colleges you’re serious about, make appointments to have interviews with admission counselors.
• Create a résumé — a record of your academic accomplishments, extracurricular activities, and work experiences since you started high school.

Sources: College Board, Big Future, Great Schools.org, Williamsburg Learning, NCAA, Federal Student Aid office of the US Department of Education, Princeton Review and US News and World Report.