Advice for Eleventh Graders
Eleventh Grade should be your year to define your focus and direction.
~ Continue to challenge yourself academically: Take rigorous courses in subjects in which you excel!
~ Be a leader: Take a leadership role in your activities and set an example!
~ Take the PSAT again in mid-October: The junior year PSAT is also the National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test! (National Merit Semifinalists are announced in September of the senior year.)
~ Prepare in the winter for the SAT and/or ACT in the spring: Find a test prep service that works for you!
~ Register for the SATs and/or ACTs: Click here for SAT registration information, or here for ACT registration information!
~ Take your SAT and/or ACT exam(s) in the spring: Relax and do your best!
~ Visit a few colleges and universities that interest you: Spring break is a great time of year to take college tours!
~ Attend the Case Study Night in the spring: Serve as a member of a mock admission committee and gain an insider's perspective of the process!
Juniors enter the active phase of their college search process in the spring. Students are assigned to their college counselors in December and begin to meet regularly in a series of group sessions that take place twice a month to address such topics as college search resources, college visits, initiating a college list, and planning meaningful summer activity. Students also meet individually with their counselors to create a personalized action plan for a successful college search, map out strategies for time management, discuss the student's transcript, and discuss their goals for college. Parents also engage in this process by attending information nights geared specifically for parents. Individual family meetings are arranged with the college counselor to discuss family expectations and how they relate to the student's personal action plan.
Eleventh Grade College Counseling Group Session Handouts and Assignments
Class #1
Remember to fill out your Junior Questionaire, turn it in, and make an appointment for your individual junior meeting with your college counselor.
Familiarize yourself with the College Counseling Rules and Guidelines.
If you are able to take standardized tests on Sundays only, drop by the college counseling office to pick up a Sunday Test Authorization letter.
Check out your Junior Syllabus to find out what will be discussed in your group sessions.
Stay on top of events for the coming year by reading the College Counseling Cycle Timeline and Important Dates to Remember.
Start to think about growth opportunities for this coming summer.
Learn what college admission representatives are looking for with Five Most Important Factors.
Class #2
If you need a copy of the big handout of college and university profiles, drop by the College Counseling Office.
Learn about factors to consider when researching colleges with the College Research Guide.
Your College Research Assignment is due by February 19, 2009.
Class #3
What do people really mean when they talk about a college's ranking? Find out more by reading The Truth About College Rankings.
Make sure to fill out Your Self-Generated Initial List of Colleges and turn it into your college counselor no latter than March 15, 2009.
Class #4
Read some Words of Wisdom from the Experts about resume and activities statements.
Make sure your Third Party Narrative is turned into your college counselor no latter than May 1st!
Complete your Brag Sheet form to “collect” a basic listing of all the stuff you’ve done to make your life interesting.
Look at USC's application as well as the Common Application to see examples of how colleges format your personal statement and activities with the Personal Statement and Activity Summary Sheet.
Class #5
Keep yourself organized with the College Contact Sheet.
Know what to expect at college interviews with Interview tips.
Read Going to a college fair... for some good advice on how to make the best use of your time at a college fair.
Here are some Questions to Ask Your Tour Guide when visiting colleges.
Get some pointers for making the most of a college visit with Helpful Hints for a Successful College Visit.