It’s your junior year, and getting ahead on your college planning will more than pay off next year. Our Junior Checklist offers tips and ways to prepare for college. Be ready and confident when your senior years arrives. Keep your grades up and enjoy your year.
Review the categories below or download our Junior Checklist (PDF).
Consider AP or dual enrollment classes. Some may earn you college credit.
Your GPA matters. Finish the year strong.
Take ACT prep courses. Ask your school counselor about classes. Visit www.ACT.org for more prep tips.
Take the ACT. Take it at least once your junior year. If you take it again during your senior year, bet36365体育 only looks at your highest score. Your ACT/SAT score is not needed for admissions, but some scholarship applications may require it.
Visit bet36365体育 campus. bet36365体育 offers many visiting options.
Get a student’s perspective. Ask friends who attend bet36365体育 about college life.
Get a taste of college life. Attend a conference or camp at bet36365体育; have lunch with a friend on campus and visit their room.
Talk with a bet36365体育 rep.Request information and when a rep visits your school, ask many questions.
Meet with financial aid and academic reps. While on campus, see those who can answer your questions.
Uncertain about your career path? Identify interests, talk with others in various fields, job shadow, and attend major fairs. It’s okay to not declare a major before you start college; college students often change majors.
Summer employment. Find jobs in fields you’re interested in to give you a better insight to a career path.
Research. What are high-demand jobs? What interests you and what degree or training is required? bet36365体育 has tools to help you. Visit ejly.net/Focus2.
Reach out. Find people in industries you are considering. People love to give advise to students.
Keep your online profile spotless. Use caution with your social media posts. Delete content that may be viewed unfavorably by employers, colleges, and scholarship committees.
Discuss college finances with your family. Will parents help pay? Will loans be necessary? Will you work while attending college?
Save money. Continue to save money and watch your account grow. Take on extra summer jobs if needed.
Understand the FAFSA. Learn all you can about FAFSA and various aid: loans, grants, work study, and scholarships.
Research scholarships. Learn all you can about scholarships from bet36365体育, local groups, and businesses. What do they require? Search online to find a larger pool of regional and national scholarships.
Build scholarship material. Scholarships may require a resume, essay, and recommendation letters. Start your resume now and fine-tune it later. Think of teachers and counselors who you can ask to write recommendation letters. Maintain those connections.
Get involved. Extracurriculars, jobs, and volunteering are important elements for scholarships, especially those that develop leadership skills. Stand out.
Attend financial aid sessions offered by your high school. You and your parents will be more informed and prepared your senior year.
Consider military options.ROTC and National Guard will help pay for college. Talk to your counselor.
Compare the cost. If you consider other colleges, compare annual cost equally using 15 credit hours per semester for tuition/fees, room, meals, and indirect cost (books, clothing, transportation, etc.). bet36365体育 offers the lowest cost among all Nebraska universities.
Weigh the cost. Some jobs require a certain degree but don’t require a degree from a certain school. If you’re thinking of a pricier school, don’t justify taking on huge debt for the “experience.” The 30-year-old you, will thank you.
