Junior-Senior -PCCRs
Senior Year
September
Meet with high school counselor to discuss college plans. Go over ACT and SAT scores to determine if you should retake these tests.
Meet with Barbara Goff to discuss financing college.
Check on application deadlines for colleges. Make a list of application requirements.
Check in the CounselingCenter for information and applications for private scholarships.
October
Attend the Rocky MountainCollege Admissions Fair.
September – November
Complete all college admissions, financial aid and scholarship applications.
Complete CSS PROFILE, if required (check with your college).
Apply to at least one “safe” college (a college you know that you will be admitted to, and one that you can definitely afford.)
Re-take the ACT and/or SAT II tests if needed and if scores will still apply for college entrances. The October test is the last test that will give results in time for most scholarship and entry deadlines.
Out of state college applications are due.
November – December
Apply for your electronic pin number for the FAFSA application at www.pin.ed.gov.
Check the Scholarship Bulletin every 4 weeks for new private scholarships (in English teacher classrooms and on the counseling center bulletin board).
January
Fill out the FAFSA as soon as possible after January 1.
Attend the Financial Aid Seminar at the high school with your parents.
Keep applying for private scholarships. Applications are in the CounselingCenter.
February
Most in state college applications are due.
March
Private scholarships just for West Jordan High School students become available.
Check deadlines and pay for AP Exams.
April – May
Compare financial aid packages and decide which college to attend.
Send in housing deposits, sign and return award letters.
Notify other colleges of your decision.
CounselingCenter will send final transcript to the college.
Continue applying for private scholarships.
GET A SUMMER JOB!
Junior Year
September
Start thinking about college choices.
Attend your PCCR with your Counselor.
Apply for Junior Scholarships.
Continue (or start) to be involved in school and community service activities.
Increase leadership skills (become an elected officer or volunteer to chair a committee).
October
Take the PSAT test and start studying for the ACT and/or SAT.
Attend the Rocky Mountain College Admissions Fair at Juan Diego High School on Oct 11.
January
Watch for meaningful summer enrichment programs. (Found in Scholarship Bulletins.)
February
Take the ACT and/or SAT test.
Plan a challenging senior year. Students who take challenging courses are better prepared for college.
April
Take (or re-take) the ACT and/or SAT test. Does my college require the SAT II test? If yes, take the test!
Do I want to participate in Division I or Division II sports? If yes, fill out the NCAA Clearinghouse form at www.ncaaclearinghouse.net.
June
Take (or re-take) the ACT and/or SAT test.
Develop a resume (use your Accomplishment Chart). Get a job.
June – August
Visit college campuses and ask friends in college for their advice.
Become familiar with the internet sites of your top college choices.
Did I bomb the ACT test? Study for the October test.
Select a meaningful activity and GET INVOLVED! Volunteer somewhere, anywhere.
Read, read, read!
Scholarship Information
Sophomore & Junior Scholarship Bulletin
http://wjhscounseling.weebly.com/sophomore--junior-scholarship-bulletin.html
Senior Scholarship Bulletin
http://wjhscounseling.weebly.com/senior-scholarship-bulletin.html
Conferences, Open Houses & Summer Sessions
http://wjhscounseling.weebly.com/conferences-open-houses--summer-sessions.html
TOP TIPS FOR WINNING SCHOLARSHIPS
P APPLY ONLY IF YOU ARE ELIGIBLE. Read all the scholarship requirements and directions carefully and make sure that you are eligible before you send in your application.
P UNDERSTAND THE SCHOLARSHIP’S MISSION. Know why they’re giving out the money.
P REMEMBER WHO YOUR AUDIENCE IS. Think about who the judges are likely to be.
P SHOW HOW YOU FIT WITH THE SCHOLARSHIP’S MISSION.
P BE PROUD OF YOUR ACCOMPLISHMENTS. Don’t be afraid to brag. Judges want to see how your achievements impact you personally.
P FOCUS ON LEADERSHIP AND CONTRIBUTIONS.
P MAKE YOUR APPLICATION STAND OUT. Set yours apart with unique accomplishments.
P START EARLY. Take time to read the stories and essays of previous years’ winners.
P COMPLETE THE APPLICATION IN FULL. If a question doesn’t apply, note that on the application. Don’t just leave a blank.
P PAY ATTENTION TO DETAILS. Get every required signature.
P AVOID USING UNKNOWN ABBREVIATIONS.
P FOLLOW DIRECTIONS. Provide everything that is required. But don’t supply things that aren’t requested – you could be disqualified. Be accurate.
P NEATNESS COUNTS. Make a couple of photocopies of all the forms you receive. Use working drafts as you develop your application packet. Always type the application.
P WRITE AN ESSAY THAT MAKES A STRONG IMPRESSION. A strong essay is personal and specific. Include concrete details to make your experience come alive: the ‘who,’ ‘what,’ ‘where’, and ‘when’ of your topic. The simplest experience can be monumental if you present honestly how you were affected. Keep the essay relevant.
P WATCH ALL DEADLINES. Impose your own deadline that is at least two weeks prior to the official deadline. Use a calendar to keep track of all deadlines.
P TAKE STEPS TO MAKE SURE YOUR APPLICATION GETS WHERE IT NEEDS TO GO. Make a copy of the entire packet and keep it on file. If your application goes astray, you can always reproduce it quickly. Make sure your name (and social security number, if applicable) appears on all pages of the application. Pieces of your application may get lost unless they are clearly identified.
P GIVE IT A FINAL ‘ONCE-OVER’. Proofread the entire application carefully. Be on the lookout for misspelled words or grammatical errors. Ask a friend, teacher, or parent to proofread it as well.
P ASK FOR HELP IF YOU NEED IT. If you have problems with the application, do not hesitate to call the funding organization.
P REMEMBER – YOUR SCHOLARSHIP APPLICATION REPRESENTS YOU! Your ability to submit a neat, timely, complete application reflects on you. It’s your face to the sponsor. Play to your strengths. Take pride in yourself by submitting the best application you can.
TOP TEN ADVICE BY STUDENTS
1. Treat looking for scholarships as if it were your job. Put in the time and you will get paid.
2. Do as many scholarship searches as you can. Finding them is half the battle.
3. Being involved in school, church and community activities are the best ways to make an application stand out.
4. Study hard and get good grades. ACT/SAT scores count. Study at least 80 hours for the test.
5. Treat every scholarship application like a jewel. Make the application perfect.
6. Do some volunteer work.
7. Check all of the local chapters of national organizations. Rotary, Lions, Elks, etc.
8. Pick the right people to write your recommendations.
9. Don’t shy away from scholarships based on difficult essays. Write the essay; ask your English teacher to proof read it for you.
10. Above all, BE HONEST. Don’t lie about finances, grades, work experience, or anything!