NCS Counseling Department

There are two main tasks that need to happen during eleventh grade: you must complete your standardized testing (ACT) and begin visiting college campuses. A college visit is perhaps the most important thing you can do to find the right match. This point cannot be overemphasized. Students who take the time to visit several campuses and form their opinions of what they do and do not like will tend to have more direction and focus throughout the application process in twelfth grade. They are less likely to procrastinate in completing their applications and generally experience less stress in making their final choice than students who do not visit.

College fairs, which are held in the fall and spring, can be helpful. Each fair typically has admission representatives from 100-200 colleges. Families can pick and choose which colleges they prefer to get information on and decide if the college merits a campus visit. Check the Counseling bulletin board often to get more information about local college fairs. Once you have generated a list of potential colleges, get out there and visit!

In addition to visiting campuses, the other major task of eleventh grade students is to complete the necessary standardized testing. We recommend that you take the ACT at least twice before the end of the school year in order to be prepared for the application process in twelfth grade. NCS also requires students to take the Writing section of the ACT at least once before the end of their junior year.

Check out the College Counseling Handbook (in Downloadable Resources) for more details on the college application process.

Check out the Junior Year Timeline (in Downloadable Resources) for a checklist of what you should be doing during your junior year!!

Related Links:

Nation's TOP 50 Colleges and Universities

http://www.thebestcolleges. org/rankings/top-50/

College Zone

http://www.collegezone.com/counselorzone/1086.htm

Mapping Your Future

http://mappingyourfuture.org/

College Matchmaker

http://collegesearch.collegeboard.com/search/index.jsp

NCAA Eligibility Center