Junior

What to do in Eleventh Grade

Academic Success Skills

Intensive Essay Writing: Now is your chance to put your essay writing skills to the test. As you apply for summer enrichment programs, work with your teachers and tutors to help you craft the very best essays on the required subjects.

Tutoring/Homework Help: If your GPA is 85 or below in Math, Science, U.S. History or English, you should be meeting with a tutor two times a week.

Standardized Test Prep: Our goal at SEO is to have our students finished with the SAT and ACT by the end of their junior year. This usually means taking the test two times. There is no reason to put off taking the SAT if you have done the PSAT and some preparation work – your senior year will be stressful enough without the wait of a big test looming over you. While colleges will receive all SAT scores, most will likely count the three best scores you receive in each section (Math, Verbal, Writing), so there isn’t a penalty for “re-taking” the test. All standardized tests are not created equally! Some states require standardized tests like the Regents exams in New York. In addition to PSAT preparation, you should enroll in prep classes for any other standardized tests you may have to take.

College Guidance

Advisement: 11th grade is the time to perfect your college strategy. You should plan three-way meetings with your guidance counselor and someone from your family in the fall and spring, and meet with just your guidance counselor in the winter and any time you want to discuss your progress. Meetings should be used to start identifying colleges and summer enrichment programs, and to keep track of your academic progress in case you need extra help in any area.

College Trips/College Fairs: If your school doesn’t host a college fair, find out if there are college fairs at other schools in your area that you can attend. Select colleges that seem interesting to you and request their viewbooks. Then narrow your search to nine schools that meet the following criteria:

  • Three "stretch" schools - at which the median GPA, SAT/ACT scores are above your current scores/average;
  • Three "stable" schools - at which the median GPA, SAT/ACT scores match your current scores/average; and
  • Three "safety" schools - at which the median GPA, SAT/ACT scores are below your current scores/average.

Schools should be selected with an eye toward their rate of on-time graduation, type of advisement, types of programs, size, whether they are in an urban, suburban or rural environment, and characteristics of the student body, including diversity, income level, geographic origin and male to female ratio. Visit at least two local colleges and make overnight visits to two colleges that really interest you – admissions officers can pair you with students who you can stay with and who will act as your guide during your visit. When you visit college, make sure to stop by the admissions office and let them know you were there! Many colleges give extra consideration to candidates who have visited the school.

Note: If cost is a factor for visiting colleges, contact the school and ask for assistance. Many selective schools have special visiting weekends for prospective students during which they will pay for your room and meals.  Also, Amtrak offers a special program in the fall in which a student can get a free roundtrip ticket when a parent pays full price.

Family College Admissions/Financial Aid Workshops: Make sure your family knows what you are looking for in a school. Share the information you have about the schools that you are interested in, and let them know what the application process is. Research scholarship opportunities together and find out about the financial aid application at the schools you are interested in applying to.

College Admissions Mentoring: Sometimes the most valuable person on your road to college is someone who has been through the college selection and application process, and can spend time with you regularly to help you make a plan and see it through. There are mentoring programs in many areas that can pair you with someone who can meet with you twice a month to answer your questions, help you with your summer program applications, and guide you through all the information you find out about colleges.

Leadership Development

Summer Enrichment Programs: When colleges review your applications, your involvement in extracurricular and enrichment activities is as important as your academic success. You should apply to at least three summer travel or study programs, most of which have scholarship opportunities, and plan to spend at least part of your summer at one of these programs.