High School Academic Counseling

Graduation-Requirements and 4-Year Plan

Continue to build on successes at school

Colleges look closely at your grades during your sophomore and junior years to determine the “current you.” One bad grade during your junior year can be devastating, even if your cumulative GPA is high from your performance during 9th and 10th grades.

Begin scholarship search

Since scholarship deadlines are usually at the same time each year, you can use your junior year to find and save scholarships for which you may be eligible. Create and account on fastweb.com to receive updates on scholarships that you may qualify for or check out the scholarship directory (scholarship link)

Prepare for and take the ACT, PSAT/NMSQT, ASVAB

• Make sure you study and understand what is on the test. Take a practice test. Remember that every cadet at NMMI must take the ACT/SAT preparatory class during their junior year. For ACT/SAT Test Prep, go to actstudent.org for the ACT and www.collegeboard.com for the SAT.
• Prepare for and take the PSAT/NMSQT (fall semester)
• Prepare for and take the ASVAB (spring semester)
• Make sure you study and understand what is on the test. Take a practice test. Remember that every cadet at NMMI must take the ACT/SAT preparatory class during their junior year. For ACT/SAT Test Prep, go to actstudent.org for the ACT and www.collegeboard.com for the SAT

Find 10 colleges that match your interests

• By summer before senior year, narrow your list to maximum 5 colleges.
• Research your colleges and place them into three categories:
  • Safety schools: your grades and test scores are well above the college’s average.
  • Target Schools: your grades and test scores are about the same as the college’s average.
  • Reach schools: your grades and test scores are below the college’s average.

Understand all the necessary parts of the college application

• Not all the college applications are the same, so make sure you pay close attention to the application requirements for each school to which you plan to apply. (Applications fees, transcripts, ACT/SAT test scores, essays, letters of rec.)
• Letters of Recommendation from teachers, counselors, coaches, or employers
• A Personal Essay (written at the end of junior year/beginning of senior year)

Write a draft of your personal essay

Most scholarship applications require a personal essay but not all colleges require an essay, however, it is always good to send one in. Your essay will help you to stand out from other applicants.  These essays are usually an assignment in students’ English and SAC classes.

Create/update personal resume

Update your personal resume so that it highlights your accomplishments and involvement, which should include school activities, work, and volunteering/community service activities in Naviance and Word documents.

Consider who to ask about letters of recommendation

Build a resume and/or complete a letter of recommendation request form and keep them on file so that you can give to teachers, coaches, counselors, employers and/or advisors/mentors during your senior year.

Student-Athletes register for The NCAA Clearinghouse

Register for the NCAA by logging onto eligibilitycenter.org. Registering on this website is a requirement for student-athletes who plan to play collegiate sports at the Division I or Division II level. The clearinghouse, which is a separate organization from the college you plan to attend, evaluates your academic record to determine if you are eligible to play as a freshman in college. (You still have to apply to the college separately for admission, just like everyone else).

Attend College Nights and College Fairs

This is the ideal year to gather college information. If you attend college nights and fairs now it will make your senior year that much easier.