11th Grade Checklist for Students and Families
From applications to decisions, check out our junior year checklist.
Fall (September – November)
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Sign up and take the PSAT (October). Strong scores may qualify you for the National Merit Scholarship.
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Look into different careers and how much they usually pay to help connect majors to job opportunities.
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Learn how to choose a college that fits you and begin comparing your options.
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Go to college fairs, info sessions, or take campus tours to start building your college list.
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Make a list of colleges you might want to apply to and note their admission requirements.
Winter (December – February)
- Review your PSAT results to identify strengths and areas to improve before taking the SAT/ACT.
- Start looking for scholarships you can apply for now — some open early.
- Create your StudentAid.gov account so you’re ready for senior year financial aid applications.
Spring (March – May)
- Continue visiting colleges (many offer spring open houses).
- Start writing your personal statement (college essay) — draft early so you have time to revise.
- Meet with your counselor to confirm you’re on track with graduation requirements and college readiness.
Summer (June – August)
- Decide if you’re going to apply Early Decision, Early Action, or Regular Decision so you’re ready for fall deadlines.
- Refine your college list into “reach, match, and safety” schools.
- Continue scholarship searches and keep a list of deadlines.
- Work on your personal statement and finalize drafts.
- Keep learning and building experiences (through jobs, volunteering, or summer programs).
By the end of junior year, you’ll have explored careers, researched colleges, started your essay, and set yourself up for a smooth senior year application process.
Advice for Parents, Guardians, and Families
- Review your finances to see how much support you can provide for college costs.
- Learn about federal student aid programs and how they work.
- Create a StudentAid.gov account
- This account is required to complete your portion of the FAFSA®.
- Important: Parents and students must each create their own account to avoid delays.
- Talk with your student about the colleges they're interested in and why. Help them think through their goals.
- Attend college fairs and campus visits together—but let students do the talking. Be there to support and listen.
- Encourage your student to research and apply for scholarships.
Get the Checklist: