JUNIORS
Junior year is a very important time for several reasons. First, junior year marks the half-way point in your high school career. As such, it is essential for you to have a strong academic performance during your entire junior year since college applications are only a year away.
Also, in your junior year, many of you will take the SAT in the Spring, which is also part of the college application process. Below, you will find information and links related to these topics as well as additional information on other important information during your junior year.
Generally speaking, four year colleges are looking for at least a 3.0 GPA which means you should set a goal of earning at least an 83 average in all of your course-work. Below is a conversion table that shows GPA values for number grades.
ACADEMICS
Students and parents should be aware how important freshman year grades are in the college admissions process. The grades you earn as a 9th grader will make up 1/3 of the Grade Point Average colleges will look at when you apply early in your Senior year.
Generally speaking, four year colleges are looking for at least a 3.0 GPA which means you should set a goal of earning at least an 83 average in all of your course-work. Below is a conversion table that shows GPA values for number grades.
| GRADE | G.P.A. |
|---|---|
| 92+ | 4.0 |
| 91 | 3.9 |
| 90 | 3.8 |
| 89 | 3.7 |
| 88 | 3.6 |
| 87 | 3.5 |
| 86 | 3.4 |
| 85 | 3.3 |
| 84 | 3.2 |
| 83 | 3.0 |
| 82 | 2.9 |
| 81 | 2.7 |
| 80 | 2.5 |
| 79 | 2.4 |
| 78 | 2.3 |
| 77 | 2.2 |
| 76 | 2.1 |
| 75 | 2.0 |
| 74 | 1.8 |
| 73 | 1.6 |
| 72 | 1.4 |
| 71 | 1.2 |
| 70 | 1.0 |
POST-SECONDARY PLANNING CONFERENCE
Beginning in mid-January each junior and their parents will be invited to meet with the college counselor in order to discuss post-secondary planning. In each conference, a number of topics will be discussed including GPA, PSAT scores, SAT test taking, investigating potential careers, and making the most of your college search.
COLLEGE PLANNING TIMELINE
Winter
- Attend Post-Secondary Planning Conference with your parents.
- Sign up to take the SAT at least once in the spring and again next fall. To register online click here.
Spring
- Visit some local colleges– large, small, public, and private. Try to become familair with what you like and dislike about each school.
- Develop a list of 10 to 15 colleges that attract you. Visit their websites and request information about the academic programs that interest you. Visit some of these schools over your spring break.
- Attend College Fairs and Open Houses.
- Register at www.collegeboard.com to take the SAT either in May or June.
Summer
If you are an athlete planning to continue playing a sport in college, register with NCAA Clearinghouse (www.ncaaclearinghouse.net).
Visit colleges
At schools you have a high level of interest in make appointments to have interviews with admissions counselors. Interviews can be arranged by visiting each school’s Office of Admissions web-page.
TESTING
PSAT/NMSQT Scores
Students’ PSAT/NMSQT scores are printed right at the top of the report. Each score for critical reading, mathematics, and writing skills is based on a scale of 20-80. You can use these scores as a base prediction for SAT scores. But the scores are just the beginning.
Score ranges show how much scores might vary if your student were to take the PSAT/NMSQT repeatedly without learning additional skills. In other words, the scores within this range are considered equal, statistically.
Percentiles compare your student’s performance to that of other students, nationally. Since he is in the eleventh grade, his score is compared to the scores of all eleventh-graders who took the test.
SAT INFORMATION
SAT Information
Students serious about attending a four year college should plan to take the SAT at least twice during high school. Students should take the SAT first during the spring of their Junior year. The advantage of Spring testing is you will have the entire summer to focus on areas of weakness. To register, go to http://www.collegeboard.com.
For SAT Test Dates and Deadlines, click here.
Testing dates will also be available during October, November, and December of your Senior year