2 answers
cerenity
Student
Miami Gardens, Florida
1
Question
Asked
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As a junior in high-school, would i be able to start applying for scholarships for college?
And should i start applying for colleges
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2 answers
Houcine Lakhchach
Career Development Specialist | U.S Department exchange Alumnus | EFL/ESL trainer | Program manager
139
Answers
Kenitra, Gharb-Chrarda-Beni Hssen, Morocco
Updated
Houcine’s Answer
Yes, as a junior in high school, you can start preparing for the college application process and applying for scholarships. Here's a suggested timeline:
### Junior Year:
1. **Research Colleges:**
- Begin researching colleges and universities. Consider factors such as location, size, programs offered, and campus culture.
2. **Standardized Tests:**
- Plan to take standardized tests like the SAT or ACT. Consider taking them in the spring or early fall of your senior year.
3. **Extracurricular Activities:**
- Continue participating in extracurricular activities and leadership roles. This can strengthen your college applications.
4. **Build Relationships:**
- Build relationships with teachers who could potentially write letters of recommendation for your college applications.
### Summer Before Senior Year:
1. **College Visits:**
- Visit college campuses, if possible, to get a feel for the environment and academic offerings.
2. **Finalize College List:**
- Narrow down your list of potential colleges based on your research and preferences.
### Senior Year:
1. **College Applications:**
- Begin the college application process in the fall of your senior year. This includes writing essays, gathering recommendation letters, and completing application forms.
2. **Scholarships:**
- Start applying for scholarships. Many scholarship applications open in the fall of your senior year, and some may have deadlines as early as November.
3. **FAFSA:**
- Complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) as soon as it opens in October. This is crucial for accessing federal financial aid for college.
4. **Letters of Recommendation:**
- Request letters of recommendation from teachers or mentors early in the school year.
5. **Interviews:**
- Prepare for any college interviews that may be part of the application process.
6. **Continue Extracurriculars:**
- Stay involved in your extracurricular activities, and if possible, take on leadership roles.
7. **Maintain Good Grades:**
- Continue to focus on your academic performance. Colleges often look at your senior year grades.
8. **Explore Career Paths:**
- If you have a specific career in mind, explore potential majors and career paths. Some colleges may ask about your academic and career goals.
Starting early allows you to manage the college application process more effectively and gives you time to seek out scholarship opportunities. Be sure to check the eligibility criteria and deadlines for scholarships you're interested in. Good luck with your college preparation!
### Junior Year:
1. **Research Colleges:**
- Begin researching colleges and universities. Consider factors such as location, size, programs offered, and campus culture.
2. **Standardized Tests:**
- Plan to take standardized tests like the SAT or ACT. Consider taking them in the spring or early fall of your senior year.
3. **Extracurricular Activities:**
- Continue participating in extracurricular activities and leadership roles. This can strengthen your college applications.
4. **Build Relationships:**
- Build relationships with teachers who could potentially write letters of recommendation for your college applications.
### Summer Before Senior Year:
1. **College Visits:**
- Visit college campuses, if possible, to get a feel for the environment and academic offerings.
2. **Finalize College List:**
- Narrow down your list of potential colleges based on your research and preferences.
### Senior Year:
1. **College Applications:**
- Begin the college application process in the fall of your senior year. This includes writing essays, gathering recommendation letters, and completing application forms.
2. **Scholarships:**
- Start applying for scholarships. Many scholarship applications open in the fall of your senior year, and some may have deadlines as early as November.
3. **FAFSA:**
- Complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) as soon as it opens in October. This is crucial for accessing federal financial aid for college.
4. **Letters of Recommendation:**
- Request letters of recommendation from teachers or mentors early in the school year.
5. **Interviews:**
- Prepare for any college interviews that may be part of the application process.
6. **Continue Extracurriculars:**
- Stay involved in your extracurricular activities, and if possible, take on leadership roles.
7. **Maintain Good Grades:**
- Continue to focus on your academic performance. Colleges often look at your senior year grades.
8. **Explore Career Paths:**
- If you have a specific career in mind, explore potential majors and career paths. Some colleges may ask about your academic and career goals.
Starting early allows you to manage the college application process more effectively and gives you time to seek out scholarship opportunities. Be sure to check the eligibility criteria and deadlines for scholarships you're interested in. Good luck with your college preparation!
I'm excited to put your great advice to good use!
cerenity
Hasnain Joiya
CEO at SeeMake
38
Answers
Pakistan
Updated
Hasnain’s Answer
Yes, as a junior in high school, it's a good time to start exploring scholarship opportunities for college and to consider the college application process. Here's some guidance:
𝟭. 𝗦𝗰𝗵𝗼𝗹𝗮𝗿𝘀𝗵𝗶𝗽𝘀:
Many scholarships are available for high school juniors. These scholarships may be offered by colleges, private organizations, community groups, and more. Look for scholarships that align with your interests, achievements, and future goals. Start researching and note the application deadlines.
𝟮. 𝗖𝗼𝗹𝗹𝗲𝗴𝗲 𝗘𝘅𝗽𝗹𝗼𝗿𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻:
While you may not need to submit college applications just yet, it's a good time to start exploring colleges and universities. Consider factors such as academic programs, campus culture, location, and size. Attend college fairs, visit campuses, and gather information to help you make informed decisions.
𝟯. 𝗣𝗦𝗔𝗧/𝗡𝗠𝗦𝗤𝗧:
Consider taking the PSAT/NMSQT (Preliminary SAT/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test) in your junior year. Doing well on this test can qualify you for National Merit Scholarships and other recognition.
𝟰. 𝗕𝘂𝗶𝗹𝗱 𝗬𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗥𝗲𝘀𝘂𝗺𝗲:
Continue to build a strong resume. Participate in extracurricular activities, community service, and leadership roles. Colleges often look for well-rounded students with diverse interests and experiences.
𝟱. 𝗖𝗼𝗹𝗹𝗲𝗴𝗲 𝗘𝗻𝘁𝗿𝗮𝗻𝗰𝗲 𝗘𝘅𝗮𝗺𝘀:
Plan to take standardized tests like the SAT or ACT. Many students take these tests in their junior year. Check the requirements of the colleges you're interested in to determine which test is preferred.
𝟲. 𝗚𝗮𝘁𝗵𝗲𝗿 𝗟𝗲𝘁𝘁𝗲𝗿𝘀 𝗼𝗳 𝗥𝗲𝗰𝗼𝗺𝗺𝗲𝗻𝗱𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻:
Identify teachers, counselors, or other mentors who can write strong letters of recommendation for your college applications. Building positive relationships now can make this process smoother later.
𝟳. 𝗥𝗲𝘀𝗲𝗮𝗿𝗰𝗵 𝗙𝗶𝗻𝗮𝗻𝗰𝗶𝗮𝗹 𝗔𝗶𝗱:
Begin researching financial aid options. Understand the types of financial aid available, including grants, loans, and work-study programs. This will be crucial when making decisions about college affordability.
𝟴. 𝗖𝗿𝗲𝗮𝘁𝗲 𝗮 𝗖𝗼𝗹𝗹𝗲𝗴𝗲 𝗟𝗶𝘀𝘁:
Develop a preliminary list of colleges you're interested in. Consider safety schools, match schools, and reach schools based on your academic profile.
𝟵. 𝗔𝘁𝘁𝗲𝗻𝗱 𝗖𝗼𝗹𝗹𝗲𝗴𝗲 𝗣𝗹𝗮𝗻𝗻𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗪𝗼𝗿𝗸𝘀𝗵𝗼𝗽𝘀:
Take advantage of any college planning workshops or information sessions offered by your school or local community. These can provide valuable insights into the application process.
Remember that the college application process can be dynamic, and it's beneficial to start early. By taking these steps in your junior year, you'll be better prepared for the college application process in your senior year. If you have specific questions about scholarships or colleges, your school counselor can also provide valuable guidance.
𝟭. 𝗦𝗰𝗵𝗼𝗹𝗮𝗿𝘀𝗵𝗶𝗽𝘀:
Many scholarships are available for high school juniors. These scholarships may be offered by colleges, private organizations, community groups, and more. Look for scholarships that align with your interests, achievements, and future goals. Start researching and note the application deadlines.
𝟮. 𝗖𝗼𝗹𝗹𝗲𝗴𝗲 𝗘𝘅𝗽𝗹𝗼𝗿𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻:
While you may not need to submit college applications just yet, it's a good time to start exploring colleges and universities. Consider factors such as academic programs, campus culture, location, and size. Attend college fairs, visit campuses, and gather information to help you make informed decisions.
𝟯. 𝗣𝗦𝗔𝗧/𝗡𝗠𝗦𝗤𝗧:
Consider taking the PSAT/NMSQT (Preliminary SAT/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test) in your junior year. Doing well on this test can qualify you for National Merit Scholarships and other recognition.
𝟰. 𝗕𝘂𝗶𝗹𝗱 𝗬𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗥𝗲𝘀𝘂𝗺𝗲:
Continue to build a strong resume. Participate in extracurricular activities, community service, and leadership roles. Colleges often look for well-rounded students with diverse interests and experiences.
𝟱. 𝗖𝗼𝗹𝗹𝗲𝗴𝗲 𝗘𝗻𝘁𝗿𝗮𝗻𝗰𝗲 𝗘𝘅𝗮𝗺𝘀:
Plan to take standardized tests like the SAT or ACT. Many students take these tests in their junior year. Check the requirements of the colleges you're interested in to determine which test is preferred.
𝟲. 𝗚𝗮𝘁𝗵𝗲𝗿 𝗟𝗲𝘁𝘁𝗲𝗿𝘀 𝗼𝗳 𝗥𝗲𝗰𝗼𝗺𝗺𝗲𝗻𝗱𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻:
Identify teachers, counselors, or other mentors who can write strong letters of recommendation for your college applications. Building positive relationships now can make this process smoother later.
𝟳. 𝗥𝗲𝘀𝗲𝗮𝗿𝗰𝗵 𝗙𝗶𝗻𝗮𝗻𝗰𝗶𝗮𝗹 𝗔𝗶𝗱:
Begin researching financial aid options. Understand the types of financial aid available, including grants, loans, and work-study programs. This will be crucial when making decisions about college affordability.
𝟴. 𝗖𝗿𝗲𝗮𝘁𝗲 𝗮 𝗖𝗼𝗹𝗹𝗲𝗴𝗲 𝗟𝗶𝘀𝘁:
Develop a preliminary list of colleges you're interested in. Consider safety schools, match schools, and reach schools based on your academic profile.
𝟵. 𝗔𝘁𝘁𝗲𝗻𝗱 𝗖𝗼𝗹𝗹𝗲𝗴𝗲 𝗣𝗹𝗮𝗻𝗻𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗪𝗼𝗿𝗸𝘀𝗵𝗼𝗽𝘀:
Take advantage of any college planning workshops or information sessions offered by your school or local community. These can provide valuable insights into the application process.
Remember that the college application process can be dynamic, and it's beneficial to start early. By taking these steps in your junior year, you'll be better prepared for the college application process in your senior year. If you have specific questions about scholarships or colleges, your school counselor can also provide valuable guidance.