Guidance Info for 11th Grade

FLCS Guidance Department

Preparing for College

"Without preparation, opportunity is an empty promise." - Alan Page, Minnesota State Supreme Court Justice and former NFL player

11th Grade

This is the main year for a student to become serious about his post secondary options. He will start taking college admission tests, visit colleges, and become more involved in the upcoming college application process.

1
Sign up NOW to take the SAT and ACT in the spring: April, May, or June. Plan for both tests because many students find they do better on one than the other.

2
Plan college visits. Visiting a college while it is in session is the best way to get the "feel" of a school and will help your child make some important college decisions

3
Continue to monitor your child's academic progress. Is dual enrollment an option? When colleges look at transcripts, they put a heavy emphasis on junior year grades. If grades are already high, keep them up!

4
Attend the college guidance meeting for juniors and their parents held after Christmas. ( Important information will be given out and discussed about the college application process, financial aid, etc.)

5
If your child is an athlete, they need to register with the NCAA Clearing House by the end of their junior year in order to be eligible to play a sport in college.

6
Finish the student portfolio and resume'. This will be a great tool for college and scholarships applications in the fall. This is a great tool to give to a teacher when a letter of recommendation is requested.

7
Attend college fairs with your child. There are several public/private college fairs in the area each year and a Christian college fair in the fall.

8
Help your child find a meaningful summer job or activity to demonstrate commitment and responsibility.

9
Research colleges of interest: web pages, virtual tours, etc. Make a chart to compare and list pros and cons. Talk with your child about what they are looking for in a college.

10
Make copies of applications for practice. Proof read your child's practice essays.

11
Check into SAT prep classes or independent study - books, computer, etc.

12
Expose your child to professionals in his areas of interest and strength. A day on the job might be insightful.

13
Have your child get to know his counselor. The better she knows him, the better she can help him find the right college. Also, it never hurts when award time comes!

14
Plan a meaningful summer with your child. Many families take trips that are something different, like archaeological digs, backpacking, and bicycling tours in the summer. Most interesting to colleges are trips that show creativity, initiative, and independence.

15
Some universities have excellent summer programs. These programs are a fun way to meet lots of new people, get a taste of college life, and pick up some credits that could be valuable later on.

16
Set up some college interviews early in the summer. Colleges will tell you that interview are optional, but they can be a good idea.

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FLCS Guidance Department
*Preparing for College*
"Without preparation, opportunity is an empty promise." - Alan Page, Minnesota State Supreme Court Justice and former NFL player
11th Grade
This is the main year for a student to become serious about his post secondary options. He will start taking college admission tests, visit colleges, and become more involved in the upcoming college application process.
	1	Sign up NOW to take the SAT and ACT in the spring: April, May, or June. Plan for both tests because many students find they do better on one than the other.
	2	Plan college visits. Visiting a college while it is in session is the best way to get the "feel" of a school and will help your child make some important college decisions
	3	Continue to monitor your child's academic progress. Is dual enrollment an option? When colleges look at transcripts, they put a heavy emphasis on junior year grades. If grades are already high, keep them up!
	4	Attend the college guidance meeting for juniors and their parents held after Christmas. ( Important information will be given out and discussed about the college application process, financial aid, etc.)
	5	If your child is an athlete, they need to register with the NCAA Clearing House by the end of their junior year in order to be eligible to play a sport in college.
	6	Finish the student portfolio and resume'. This will be a great tool for college and scholarships applications in the fall. This is a great tool to give to a teacher when a letter of recommendation is requested.
	7	Attend college fairs with your child. There are several public/private college fairs in the area each year and a Christian college fair in the fall.
	8	Help your child find a meaningful summer job or activity to demonstrate commitment and responsibility.
	9	Research colleges of interest: web pages, virtual tours, etc. Make a chart to compare and list pros and cons. Talk with your child about what they are looking for in a college.
	10	Make copies of applications for practice. Proof read your child's practice essays.
	11	Check into SAT prep classes or independent study - books, computer, etc.
	12	Expose your child to professionals in his areas of interest and strength. A day on the job might be insightful.
	13	Have your child get to know his counselor. The better she knows him, the better she can help him find the right college. Also, it never hurts when award time comes!
	14	Plan a meaningful summer with your child. Many families take trips that are something different, like archaeological digs, backpacking, and bicycling tours in the summer. Most interesting to colleges are trips that show creativity, initiative, and independence.
	15	Some universities have excellent summer programs. These programs are a fun way to meet lots of new people, get a taste of college life, and pick up some credits that could be valuable later on.
	16	Set up some college interviews early in the summer. Colleges will tell you that interview are optional, but they can be a good idea.
Return to Guidance Index