Plan Your Path To College: Junior Year

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Plan Your Path To College Junior Year
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Checklist Junior Year

• Students should meet with their school counselor
  at least once a year. Students and their parents
  are encouraged to review requirements for high
  school graduation, TOPS, and the Louisiana Public
  University Minimum Admissions Criteria as set
  forth by the Louisiana Board of Regents.

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College Entrance Requirements

• Check the minimum acceptance requirements for
  entering freshman at the colleges you are
  considering. Note requirements related to high
  school grade point average (GPA), specific number
  of college preparatory courses needed, and
  acceptable ACT or SAT scores.

4
ACT or SAT

• Students should begin taking the ACT or SAT in
  the spring of their junior year. A list of test
  dates may be found on our schools website
  www.smhsbr.org. Go to the Guidance webpage, and
  then click on ACT/SAT for a list of 2008-2009
  test dates.

5
Test Registration

• When registering for the ACT or SAT, be sure to
  have the testing agency send scores directly to
  LA Tuition Opportunity Program-Students (TOPS),
  Agency Code 1595 as well as each college or
  university the student is considering.
• Note Some colleges, including LSU, require the
  ACT be taken with Writing at least once. Please
  make note of this when registering for the test.

6
Course Selection for 2009-2010

• In February, students will be selecting classes
  for next fall. Juniors are encouraged to
  continue taking challenging courses, while
  maintaining a competitive GPA. Students who set
  challenging, yet realistic, goals for themselves,
  and carefully select courses with a high academic
  content, generally perform better at the
  post-secondary level.

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Establish an Email Account for College Admissions

• Students should establish an e-mail account for
  college admissions purposes prior to their senior
  year. Colleges and universities often send
  periodic updates on the application process and
  the students admission status. Having an e-mail
  account established just for this purpose will be
  valuable when students are considering multiples
  colleges and universities. However, for this to
  be effective, the student must check their
  account often!

8
ConnectEDU

• ConnectEDU is a web-based, guidance management
  system that allows students and parents to
  explore college and career choices, as well as
  learn more about scholarships and the financial
  aid process.
• ConnectEDU allows students to compare, contrast,
  and connect with post-secondary member
  institutions.

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Comparing Colleges

• Juniors should begin reviewing colleges official
  websites and save information that could be
  useful in the future.
• Students may request print materials from college
  and universities that interest them.
• Students may compare colleges under
  consideration. Using ConnectEDU, juniors may
  create a comparison chart for the colleges and
  universities they are considering as well as
  begin their college list.

10
Academic Resume

• Prior to the senior year, students should create
  an academic resume using the academic profile
  section found on ConnectEDU.
• Academic résumés are useful when requesting
  letters of recommendation from teachers,
  administrators, or counselors when completing
  college and scholarship applications when
  visiting with college representatives or when
  applying for a part-time job, apprenticeship, or
  internship.

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College Visits

• One of the best ways to determine if a college is
  right for you is to visit the campus. Consider a
  college visit this summer. Many families visit
  college campuses during their vacation travels.
  Call the admissions office in advance to schedule
  a tour of the campus. Also explore the campus
  and surrounding community on your own.

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Preparing for Your College Visit

• Prepare a list of questions to ask on your
  college visit.
• Bring a notebook to record your thoughts and
  impressions of the campus and school community.
• Take photos during your campus visit.
• Schedule an appointment with an undergraduate
  admissions counselor. Bring an unofficial copy
  of your 6th semester transcript and list of your
  course selections for senior year to share with
  the counselor.

13
Preparing for Your College Visit (Contd)

• Make an appointment to meet with a professor or
  undergraduate advisor in the major(s) which you
  are considering.
• Determine if you will need to submit portfolios,
  audition tapes, writing samples, or other
  evidence of talent for the major(s) you are
  considering.
• Schedule an appointment with a representative
  from the Office of Scholarships and Financial
  Aid.

14
Ask Questions

• Students who are successful in the college and
  scholarship application process are those who pay
  attention, ask questions, and take the
  initiative! If you are having difficult locating
  the information you need concerning the college
  admissions process, dont be afraid to ask for
  help. Begin with your school counselor. He or
  she will assist you in navigating the sometimes
  confusing, often challenging, and frequently
  exciting road ahead.

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Sources Cited

• (2008). College Planning Checklist. Retrieved
  January 19, 2009, from The ACT Website
  http//actstudent.org/college/11.html
• (2208). LSU 08-09 Counselors Handbook. Baton
  Rouge, LA LSU Office of Communications
  University Relations.

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Sources Cited

• (2008). Opportunities 2008-09 Preparing For
  Higher Education Guide and Workbook. Baton
  Rouge, LA Louisiana Office of Student Financial
  Assistance.