Junior Year Timeline

JUNIOR YEAR

October

1. Continue to do your best academic work as this is a critically important year in the eyes of college admissions officers and potential employers.
2. If you have a documented disability and receive special education services or 504 accommodations, please discuss testing options with your counselor (and Special Educator).  Eligibility for extended time and other accommodations must be pre-approved by the College Board.
3. Register for and take the PSAT. It’s scheduled for the third Saturday in October and is only offered once a year. All juniors are encouraged to take the PSAT. It’s a practice test and colleges do not receive your scores. The test also serves as the preliminary qualifying test for the National Merit Scholarship program. Registration information about the PSAT is available online and registration is done through the guidance office. The cost is $30.
4. If you’re interested in applying to one of the military academies, please see your counselor.

December

1. Students receive PSAT scores and review answers to determine areas that may need improvement. The College Board provides all students who take the PSAT with a very informative score report that breaks down the test’s answers by category (i.e. reading, sentence completions, geometry, algebra). All students receive their original test booklet along with this score report.

January-March

1. Continue to take your academic work seriously and do the best you can as you head into second semester.
2. Begin review in preparation for the SAT. Some students may consider taking a test preparation class.
3. If you’re interested in an academic summer program, please visit the Guidance Department and speak to your counselor.
4. Registration for the March/April SAT Reasoning Test/Subject Tests. Register online at www.collegeboard.com.

March

1. March/April SAT Reasoning Test.
2. Register for the May SAT Reasoning Test/Subject Tests.
3. Schedule a Junior/Parent Conference with guidance counselor.

April

1. March/April SAT Reasoning Test.
2. Attend the TEC College Fair at Westwood High School. 
3. Attend the NACAC Boston National College Fair.
4.  Schedule a Junior/Parent Conference with guidance counselor.  Research colleges of interest by reading college handbooks and surfing the web.   
5. Begin to visit college campuses. Many are open on Saturdays for tours.   
6. Register for the June SAT Reasoning and Subject Tests. Many students take SAT Subject Tests in June. Please see your counselor to determine if this is appropriate for you.  

May

1. Take the May SAT Reasoning Test or Subject Tests. CHS Test site.
2. Online registration begins for the October SAT Reasoning Test/Subject Tests. Go to www.collegeboard.com. Apply early to assure a space at CHS.

June

1. June SAT Reasoning Test/Subject Tests
2. Ask for 2 recommendations from teachers who know you well. Recommendation Questionnaires are available in the Guidance Department.
3. Make sure you’re on the mailing lists of the schools that interest you.

Summer

1. Type your resume. See your Guidance Counselor for templates.
2. Register for the October SAT Reasoning Test/Subject Tests to assure a spot at CHS.
3. Visit colleges.

***We recommend students who are applying to college to take the SAT Reasoning Test once in the Spring and once in the Fall of their senior year. The SAT Subject Tests are required by the most competitive colleges in the country. Please see your counselor to discuss if taking the SAT Subject Tests is appropriate for you.