In ETS, we always say that we treat our juniors like seniors.
By starting to prepare junior year, meaning- continuing to focus on academics; but also, by building their college lists and college essays, students can make their senior year and the college process less stressful and more successful! Below is a "graphical" view of junior-year, as well as a map of the entire ETS curriculum for junior year. You are welcome to look through these on your own; and of course, your ETS advisor will review them in your meetings over the course of the school year.
See these important items that your ETS advisor will review during your first meeting:
Junior Year Checklist
Junior Year Financial Aid Information
How to Make the Most of College Visits & College Fairs
September: Getting Started
This first meeting sets the tone for junior year. We’ll talk about why this year matters, go over your Junior Checklist, and make sure you’re signed up for the PSAT. If you’re eligible, we’ll also introduce you to the QuestBridge scholarship.
Focus Areas:
- Kickoff & expectations for junior year
- Review Junior Checklist & website resources
- Discuss QuestBridge Scholarship
- PSAT sign-up with fee waiver
- Begin thinking about careers and majors
October: Setting Goals & Exploring Scholarships
October is about checking in on your academics and introducing scholarships that you can apply for as a junior. We’ll also make sure you’re set up on College Board’s BigFuture, which you’ll use for scholarships, career exploration, and your college list.
Focus Areas:
- Transcript review & grade goals, re-vist 4-year plan
- Discuss Saint Paul’s ASP summer program
- Horatio Alger Scholarship
- College Board BigFuture Scholarships
- Log in to College Board account
- ETS Scholarship List
November: Career & College Search
In November, we’ll begin using BigFuture to explore careers and colleges. You’ll take a short career survey, add options to your list, and start exploring schools that fit your interests. Doing these things will be helpful for you, and also make sure you are eligible to be considered for the College Board Big Future Scholarships!
Focus Areas:
- Check in on grades
- Complete BigFuture career survey & add 3 careers
- Begin college search on BigFuture & add 3 colleges to list
- Re-visit Horatio Alger Scholarship (opens Dec. 1)
December: Test Prep & College Exploration
December’s meeting is about reviewing your PSAT results and getting ready for the SAT in the spring. You’ll also continue to expand your college list and dive deeper into schools that interest you.
Focus Areas:
- Review PSAT scores
- Connect to SAT prep resources (Khan Academy, SAT Question of the Day)
- Continue building college list
- Review St. Paul’s ASP applications
January: Course Planning & Opportunities
January focuses on planning for senior year and exploring summer opportunities. We’ll look at your transcript, talk about course choices, and make sure your schedule will prepare you for college admissions.
Focus Areas:
- Review grades & transcript
- Plan senior year courses (rigorous schedule, NH Scholars requirements)- meeting NH Scholars requirements will help you have more options for college, but can also help earn you a $2,000 scholars to NH 4-year colleges!
- Discuss summer programs: Destination College, QuestBridge Scholars, Saint Paul’s ASP, UNH Tech Camp, UNH IOL Internships
- Talk about college majors & required HS courses
February: SAT Prep
In February, we’ll focus on preparing for the SAT. You’ll get strategies, practice materials, and a plan to balance test prep with your regular coursework.
Focus Areas:
- Review semester 1 grades & set semester 2 goals
- SAT prep workshop with strategies & practice
March: Steps to College
March is when you’ll get the big picture of the college process. We’ll go over the ETS STEPs to College packet, which covers everything from starting early to staying on track, and provide resources to help you understand the admissions timeline.
Focus Areas:
- Review grades
- Go through STEPs to College packet
- Review Granite Edvance College Insider booklet
- Talk about financial aid basics and scholarship planning
April: Applications & Essay Prep
In April, you’ll create your Common App account and see how it works. We’ll also introduce you to essay prompts and talk about how to start brainstorming ideas for your college essay.
Focus Areas:
- Create Common App account
- Add colleges to Common App and review requirements
- Review college essay prompts & start brainstorming
- Discuss affordability & fee waivers
- Talk about safety, match, and reach schools
May: Recommendations & Brag Sheet
May is all about preparing for recommendations. We’ll do a brag sheet workshop to help you outline your achievements, which teachers will use to write stronger recommendation letters.
Focus Areas:
- Review grades & senior course selections
- Brag sheet workshop
- Discuss teacher recommendations
- ETS evaluation
June: College Essay Workshop
In June, we’ll finish the year with a college essay workshop. You’ll draft your essay and leave with a plan to keep working on it over the summer so you’re ready for senior year.
Focus Areas:
- College essay workshop
- Review college list progress
- Summer prep for essays & applications
- Final ETS evaluation (if not already completed)
Ongoing Support
By the end of junior year, you’ll have a college list, test prep experience, a brag sheet for recommendations, and a start on your college essay. TRIO ETS will continue to support you over the summer and into senior year so you stay on track for college.
