Your June College Checklist

• Freshmen
• Sophomores

• Juniors
• Seniors

June brings high emotions for sophomores. They are graduating into the halls of the upperclassmen and preparing to fill their shoes on the athletic field, in the concert hall, and on the stage. They are also reaching one of adolescence’s defining milestones: getting behind the wheel (and taking your nerves along for the ride!).

Sophomore Checklist

Academics

• June: Create a final exams study plan
  • Learn more

    In order to plan effectively for final exams, it is important to create a study schedule that begins weeks in advance. This will ensure that you have adequate time to prepare and allow you to visit an instructor, tutor, or peer mentor for extra help if needed. The first task in test preparation is to know exactly what the test will cover, so three to four weeks in advance, stop in before or after school to ask your instructor. With that knowledge, begin sorting through lecture slides, notes, handouts, and past assignments, quizzes, and tests to be sure that you have study material on all topics. If you have maintained effective learning strategies throughout the year, conceptually understanding subjects rather than simply memorizing information, your study schedule should include a review of each concept with time allotted for application exercises, such as turning chapter headings into “how” or “why” questions and providing answers.

  • Discover Academic Tutoring from CATES

Admissions

• June: Further cement positioning for leadership roles in extracurricular and community activities
  • Watch our video on choosing extracurricular activities
  • Learn more

    For your future college and scholarship applications, it is important to establish yourself as a leader in the classroom, school, and larger community. Admissions personnel want to know that they are admitting students who have a documented track record of service in their communities and who will bring that positive influence to their campus. Opportunities abound through school clubs and activities and in the community through non-profit, municipal, and religious organizations.

    Discover Education Advising from CATES

Testing

• June: Take an SAT vs. ACT Diagnostic to determine the best fit
  • Learn more

    CATES offers students a diagnostic exam with sections mimicking both the SAT and the ACT to determine which test best suits a student’s unique strengths. Based on a thorough analysis of the qualitative factors underlying diagnostic score trends, we can determine a student’s best fit and put a test preparation schedule in place. Our tutors will prescribe new strategies and techniques to unlock peak performance and lead students to testing success.

    Schedule a diagnostic test

• June 5: Deadline to register for the July 11 ACT
  • Register for the ACT now
• June 6: June SAT
  • Discover SAT Prep from CATES
• June 13: June ACT
  • Discover ACT Prep from CATES

Juniors are completing their final exams and embracing their new position at the top of the high school hierarchy. They may share stories of how it became real to them as they entered the empty senior hallway and realized that it was their turn. These are perfect moments to capitalize on their excitement for the future and discuss the importance of starting to think about their college application narrative—the deliberate, thoughtful packaging of their high school story.

Junior Checklist

Academics

• June: Create a final exams study plan
  • Learn more

    In order to plan effectively for final exams, it is important to create a study schedule that begins weeks in advance. This will ensure that you have adequate time to prepare and allow you to visit an instructor, tutor, or peer mentor for extra help if needed. The first task in test preparation is to know exactly what the test will cover, so three to four weeks in advance, stop in before or after school to ask your instructor. With that knowledge, begin sorting through lecture slides, notes, handouts, and past assignments, quizzes, and tests to be sure that you have study material on all topics. If you have maintained effective learning strategies throughout the year, conceptually understanding subjects rather than simply memorizing information, your study schedule should include a review of each concept with time allotted for application exercises, such as turning chapter headings into “how” or “why” questions and providing answers.

  • Discover Academic Tutoring from CATES

Admissions

• June: Visit your college counselor and ask teachers to write college application letters of recommendation
  • Learn more

    Once finals are over and classes are winding down, it is a great time to update your college counselor on your spring activities and approach teachers for a letter of recommendation. They will have more availability to write them over the last days of the semester and can devote more time to a detailed letter. Be sure to bring in a printed resume to give them when you request your letter so that they may be reminded of your academic and extracurricular accomplishments with which they might be acquainted.

Testing

• June 5: Deadline to register for the July 11 ACT
  • Register for the ACT now
• June 6: June SAT
  • Discover SAT Prep from CATES
• June 13: June ACT
  • Discover ACT Prep from CATES

Many of your seniors have already marched down the aisles of their high school auditoriums for the last time, turning their tassels with pride and joyously tossing their caps into the air. They are now looking ahead to an exciting summer of freedom and friends before saying their final goodbyes and moving on to the next stage of their lives. Be sure to plan lots of opportunities for your family to enjoy time with each other and relish in the togetherness.

Senior Checklist

Academics

• June: If applicable, create a final exams study plan
  • Learn more

    Some seniors still have finals to complete, and a solid study plan will be essential to finishing out their high school years strong. By creating a study schedule that begins weeks in advance, you will ensure that you have adequate time to prepare and visit an instructor, tutor, or peer mentor for extra help if needed. The first task in test preparation is to know exactly what the test will cover, so three to four weeks in advance, stop by after school to ask your instructor. With that knowledge, begin sorting through lecture slides, notes, handouts, and past assignments, quizzes, and tests to be sure that you have study material on all topics. If you have maintained effective learning strategies throughout the year, conceptually understanding subjects rather than simply memorizing information, your study schedule should include a review of each concept with time allotted for application exercises, such as turning chapter headings into “how” or “why” questions and providing answers.

  • Discover Academic Tutoring from CATES

Admissions

• May: Unsubscribe from college mailing lists and withdraw applications
  • Learn more

    Once you have made the big decision about which college you will attend, it is important to formally withdraw your applications from the others in order to be respectful to the admissions personnel. The process of withdrawing is different for each institution: for some, you must withdraw through the college portal; for others, you must withdraw your application by either emailing or writing a formal letter to the admissions office—be sure to include your name and address and the ID number connected to your application.

• June: Contact your college advisor to create a fall course schedule
  • Learn more

    In most cases, you have already received an email from a major professor or college advisor who will guide you through course selection. Be sure to communicate any interest in other minors or concentrations so that you can begin taking classes in those programs as well.