How to Start Planning for College in 11th Grade

You’re now a high school junior! It’s time to step up your college planning game and make sure you’re on track for applying to colleges.

Here's a breakdown of the steps in our college planning checklist for 11th grade. If you’re a parent, you can also follow the family action plan for 11th grade.

College planning tasks you can do before winter break (September–December):

• Make a list of what you’re interested in studying and explore career ideas
• Learn about colleges and save schools you’re interested in to your College Board account
• Make an appointment with your counselor to ask about upcoming college fairs and which college representatives are visiting your high school
  • Browse the college brochures and catalogs in your counselor’s office—you might find a college you haven’t thought of
• Ask your counselor or a teacher about taking the PSAT/NMSQT scheduled in October
  • You may be eligible for scholarship opportunities after taking the PSAT/NMSQT
  • If you plan to ask for testing accommodations because of a disability, make sure you learn about the request process and start early
• Manage your college search, test scores, and application statuses by saving information in your College Board account
  • If you’re looking at visual and performing arts majors, some colleges require a portfolio or audition, so look into the Major and Career Search tool and find out how you need to prepare
• Estimate how much college might cost and how much financial aid you may need with our free Tools & Calculators
• Register to take the SAT and/or the SAT Subject Tests^™ and practice on Khan Academy^® for free
• Register for AP Exams for the courses you’re enrolled in this school year. Check with your AP teacher or coordinator about your school’s registration deadline.
  • A score of 3 or higher can get you college credit at more colleges than ever before. Check out the credit policies at the schools you’re interested in. 
• Complete college planning steps on Big Future for a chance to win Big Future Scholarships for $500 or $40,000

College planning tasks you can do before the school year ends (January–May):

• If you’re considering military academies or ROTC scholarships, you should begin the application process the summer before your senior year
• Continue to build your college list and explore schools by type, housing options, majors, sports, student organizations, cost, and more
• Take the SAT or consider retaking the SAT
  • Double-check if you’re eligible for a fee waiver—if you are, make sure you review all the benefits
  • Remember—67% of students improve their score the second time around
• Learn 3 different ways of getting financial aid and get a copy of your family’s tax returns
• If you’re considering playing sports in college as a student-athlete, make sure the NCAA^® gets your SAT score and ask your counselor to upload your official transcript to the NCAA Eligibility Center
  • Check out our College Planning Checklist for Student-Athletes for more information
• Take the AP Exams you registered for to show colleges that you’re committed and motivated to succeed 
  • Review the exam schedule and make a plan get ready for exam day 
  • Login to AP Classroom to use free resources, including AP Daily videos, to review content and get prepared 
  • Consider which of the 38 AP courses you want to take next school year 

College planning tasks you can do in the summer and before beginning your senior year (June–August):

• Find a full-time job, part-time job, or internship to gain work experience
• If you can, visit college campuses, attend an information session or a campus tour, and make sure you talk to current students or professors while you’re there
• Create a résumé so you have a record of your academic accomplishments, extracurricular activities, and work experience
  • Brag about your achievements!

Visit bigfuture.org for more free, comprehensive college planning resources.