GOALS
Welcome to 11th grade! It’s getting real. By the end of the year you will have:
– Your college list
– Your list of extracurricular activities
– Your tests taken
– Your college essay topics
– Your college application to-do list

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Note 1: Much of this is similar to the 10th Grade Timeline, but I am repeating because kids come to this at different points. I didn’t realize much of this until my junior year. It’s better if you start earlier, but junior year is not too late!

Note 2: I hold monthly group calls for anyone to ask questions or share where they are in their process. Contact me to be put on the email list for the links.
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September
Classes and Grades
1) Selective colleges need to see you take the hardest class load possible at your school AND have a 4.0, or close. So do what it takes. It’s a grind, but this is how you make a better future.
2) If your school doesn’t offer enough* or you can take on more, consider self-studying AP or other courses. You can do this! I self-studied French all through high school and self-studied AP Government my junior year and got a “5” on the exam. Learn more here.
* Good to know: Many suburban schools offer numerous APs that kids start taking their freshman year. APs show colleges you can do high-level work, and also prepare your mind for college work. Even if your school doesn’t offer any, try at least one through an online course or self-study. They are important.

PSATs, SATs, and ACTs
Selective schools are increasingly moving to test-required. Be ready! Scores are IMPORTANT. Learn now how much you need to study for the spring tests.
1) Register for a free College Board account at www.collegeboard.com
– Take a practice test
– If you are below 1300, study all year with free online resources.
2) Register NOW for the PSAT, which you will take in the fall. A high-enough score will qualify you for a National Merit Scholarship in college (about $2,000/year).

Extracurriculars – Deepen and Take on Leadership
Selective colleges want to see major leadership roles in substantive extracurriculars. Many rural schools are limited.
1) To learn more about meaningful and impressive activities you can get involved in outside of school virtually, click here.
2) Meanwhile, seriously maximize what you already have going on. Run for class president. Create a “band president” position, put on a fundraiser, and take the band somewhere for a performance. Actually lead things.
3) Think about what you care about and create something new, like…STRuCC! Warning: It takes tons of time, work, and isn’t easy, but it’s also is rewarding and shows initiative (because it takes initiative).

Start College List
Determine key things you want from college. See this page for details. Feeling overwhelmed? For a quick assessment, drop me a note. This is important to start before the early October college fair!

October
1) This is an important year for college fairs. Google for any within driving distance and go meet any reps from your target or possible target schools. These reps actually read the applications from your region and can give you a sense of the school’s lens on the world–what they love about themselves and love in their students. Great fodder for determining fit and/or shaping your application approach. Dress nicely; prepare questions for each rep.
2) STARS (Small-Town and Rural Students College Network) is also now offering virtual (online) college fairs, which are really great. Click the Events button from their home page here.

November
Think about summer plans. I’m not kidding, research these now. Deadlines are early and applications are sometimes not easy.

Selective colleges increasing have “test drive” summer programs for rural youth, some are free. There are also paid internships and year-long programs with the U.S Government that are prestigious and a huge boost to your application. Get ideas here.

December
College List Draft!
1) Lock in your first draft of your college list. I’m happy to review it with you.
2) Get on the college’s website and do virtual tours and view info sessions. Warning: These are marketing pitches designed to make you die to go to the school, be emotionally ready.
3) If you can, plan a tour of several schools in the same region during spring break. This isn’t cheap, or easy, but it’s a big help. For a driving map, I used Go See Campus.

January
Register for the spring SAT and/or ACT. Register for SAT and/or ACT.

March
College tour!

April
Have a solid college list with mix of reaches, fits, and likelies. Likelies are almost always very hard for ambitious rural kids. There’s a reason you are on this site. Still, one must have…

June-August
Over the summer:
1) Continue moving along your extracurriculars.
2) Self-study more academics, if desired.
3) Working is often necessary and is good, too.
4) Strategize on the “who you are” that you will present in your Common App and application essays.