Junior Planning
College Planning 101
Time To Start Making Plans
Your junior year in high school is one with a lot going on. Starting your college search may not have been on your radar, but it is definitely the time to start preparing your way. If you plan to go to college, you should start making goals, taking college entrance exams, and focusing on your class load to ensure you are taking (and passing!) all the required courses for the schools you would like to attend.
Suggested Calendar for Class of 2020
February 2019
- February 28 - Junior Planning Night, 6:00 pm, K-1
- Prepare for SAT/ACT
- February 4 - February 28: AP Exam Registration
- March 6-8: Tri 2 Finals
- March 6 Late Deadline to register for AP Exams with Late Fee
- March 9 - SAT Reasoning
- Start researching scholarships for next year
- Turn in course requests for Senior Year (CRF)
- April 13 - ACT
- College Tours (during Spring Break)
- Consider summer courses, jobs, activities, internships, or community service
- Get answers to college questions: Check the college websites or contact them
- April 20 - RACC College Fair
- May 4 -SAT Reasoning and Subject Tests
- May 6-17: AP Exams
- May 22-24 Make Up AP Exams
- Register for NCAA Eligibility Center (College Athletes)
- Begin ROTC Application (students interested in the military)
- If interested in Military Academies, begin application process
- June 1 - SAT Reasoning and Subject Tests
- June 8 - ACT Test
- June 11-13: Tri 3 Finals
- Arrange summer college visits
- Aug. 24- SAT Reasoning and Subject Tests
- Visit Colleges
- Attend Summer Programs
- Find Internships
- Prepare for SATs/ACTs
- Get involved in your community!
- Sept. 14- ACT
- Consider retaking SAT/ACT if needed, check dates
- Obtain private school applications; Consider using Common App, if possible
- Request Letters of Recommendation from Counselors; forms available on PHS website.
- College Visits in the Titan Center, check schedule frequently!
- Consider applying for Early Decision or Early Action
- Organize list of essays and outline or draft your essay
- Senior Class College Presentations
- Attend Community College, CSU, UC, and Private School Application presentations in the Titan Center
- Finalize College List
- Oct. 5- SAT Reasoning and Subject Tests
- Oct. 27- ACT
- PUSD College Fair, date tba
- Financial Aid Night
- Request Transcripts: Minimum notice for requests is 3 working weeks
- Teacher Recommendations: See teachers, give them 3 working weeks notice
- October 1: FAFSA Application Opens
- Nov. 2- SAT Reasoning and Subject Tests
- November 30: UC/CSU Application Deadline
- Request Transcripts - Minimum Notice is 3 working weeks
- Make sure you have sent SAT/ACT results to colleges
- Check PHS website monthly for Scholarship Deadline Log
December 2019
- Dec. 7 SAT Reasoning and Subject Tests
- Dec. 14 ACT
- Transcript Requests: Minimum notice is 3 working weeks
- Finish college applications for private and out of state schools
- Submit mid-year reports if using Common Application
- Check PHS website monthly for Scholarship Deadline Log
- Check your email for any updates or requests from UC/CSU applications
- Submit 7th semester (mid-year) transcript to colleges that request it
- Report any changes to your Winter and Spring Trimester schedule to all colleges and universities
- Notify colleges immediately if you received any Ds or Fs for first trimester grades
- Check PHS website monthly for updated scholarship list
College List
You should be actively working to create a college list. The schools on your list should be the schools you plan to apply to next year. Your list should have a combination of Likely, Target, and Reach schools. Be sure to research the schools on your list, so you know the requirements to get in. You don't want to find out in your third trimester of your senior year that you needed to take another class to qualify.
Reach Schools
A reach school (or dream school) is one where your academic profile puts you at the lower end of their admitted student spectrum—or perhaps even below. It is less likely that you will be admitted.
Target Schools
A target school is one where you feel reasonably certain you’d be admitted because your GPA and test scores are similar to the average admitted student.
Likely Schools
A likely school is one where you are almost positive you would be admitted based on your academic profile. Your GPA and test scores will be notably higher than their average admitted student.
Should You Go To A 4-Year School?
Besides getting a deeper and more thorough education, there are many benefits to attending a college or university. You can discover your passions, challenge yourself, expand your worldview, and, meet new people. Frequently, job searches rely as heavily on who you know as they do on your degree.
UC/CSU A-G
UC/CSU Schools (and many others) require students to take a combination of courses that meet what is called A-G requirements. All courses taken for A-G must be passed with a grade of C or better. You can find the A-G Requirements on the UC 'A-G' page. You can find a list of the courses we offer that meet A-G requirements here.
Is Community College For You?
Community College is a great option for many students. Seniors are eligible to attend upon the completion of a high school diploma or GED. The SAT or ACT is not required, however may help with the placement of courses. Many students attend for 2-3 years before transferring to a college or university to complete their degrees. There are several transfer programs available and it is recommended to meet with a counselor at the community college to review your options. Please note that each College has an allotted amount of spots for transfer students and will be considered before another student who may want to transfer from a 4-year University.
College Search Options
Explore California Higher Education
California Colleges
CaliforniaColleges.Edu helps you explore the various higher education institutions in California.
Explore CSU
CalState.Edu is a quick way to explore the California State University System.
CSU Eligibility Index will tell you if you meet the GPA and ACT/SAT requirements
Explore UC
UniversityOfCalifornia.Edu is a quick way to explore the University of California System.
UC Admissions will tell you all the requirements to meet eligibility to the UC System.
Explore California Private Universities
AICCU.Edu is the Association for Independent California Colleges and Universities.
Explore California Community Colleges
CCCApply.Com is a California Community College Application website that has a great search tool for the various Community Colleges in California.
CaliforniaColleges.Edu helps you explore the various higher education institutions in California.
Explore CSU
CalState.Edu is a quick way to explore the California State University System.
CSU Eligibility Index will tell you if you meet the GPA and ACT/SAT requirements
Explore UC
UniversityOfCalifornia.Edu is a quick way to explore the University of California System.
UC Admissions will tell you all the requirements to meet eligibility to the UC System.
Explore California Private Universities
AICCU.Edu is the Association for Independent California Colleges and Universities.
Explore California Community Colleges
CCCApply.Com is a California Community College Application website that has a great search tool for the various Community Colleges in California.
Explore Colleges Worldwide
Big Future/College Board
Big Future helps personalize your college search to find the right fit for you.
Colleges by Rankings
US News and World Report provides rankings on Colleges in the US.
Colleges by Majors
Peterson's offers college searches by major and degree type.
Big Future helps personalize your college search to find the right fit for you.
Colleges by Rankings
US News and World Report provides rankings on Colleges in the US.
Colleges by Majors
Peterson's offers college searches by major and degree type.
College Athletics
The NCAA Eligibility Center should be your first stop if you are interested in playing sports in college.
Poway High Counseling
Counselors
A - Dom: Christy Brown
Don - Kon: Jerrah Smith
Koo - Ramj: Blanca Arreguin
Ramk - Z: Jerilyn Padua-Reyes
Student Services: Joanie Lopez and Karly Wardwell
Support Staff
Counseling Assistant: Jodie Hughes
Counseling Assistant: Lynne Oakes
Registrar: Michelle Bourget
Scheduler: Barbara Longworth
Administration
Assistant Principals:
A-F: Colin Young
G-M: Brianne Froumis
N-Z: Aaron Little
Principal:
Email: johughes@powayusd.com
Website: http://www.powayusd.com/phs
Location: 15500 Espola Road, Poway, CA, USA
Phone: 858-748-0245
Twitter: @PHSTitanCenter