Students:

• Maintaining your grades during your junior year is especially important. You should be doing at least 2 hours of homework each night and participating in study groups.
  
  
• Talk to your school counselor (or teachers, if you don't have access to a school counselor) about the following:
  
  
  • Availability of and enrollment in AP and other honors-level classes
  • Schedules for the PSAT, SAT, SAT Subject Tests, ACT, and AP and other honors-level exams
  • Discuss why you should take these exams and how they could benefit you.
  • Determine which exams you will take. (You can always change your mind.)
  • Sign up and prepare for the exams you've decided to take.
  • Ask for a preview of your academic record and profile, determine what gaps or weaknesses there are, and get suggestions on how to strengthen your candidacy for the schools in which you are interested.
  • Determine what it takes to gain admission to the college(s) of your choice, in addition to GPA and test score requirements.
  
  August:
  
  • Obtain schedules and forms for the SAT, SAT Subject Tests, ACT, and AP and other honors-level exams.
    
  
  September:
  
  • Register for the PSAT exam offered in October. Remember that when you take the PSAT in your junior year, the scores will count towards the National Achievement Program (and it is good practice for the SAT I).
    
  
  October:
  
  • Take the PSAT.
    
    
  • Narrow your list of colleges to include a few colleges with requirements at your current GPA, a few with requirements above your current GPA, and at least one with requirements below your GPA. Your list should contain approximately 8-12 colleges you are seriously considering. (You may want to visit our Select a School section for more information on the colleges in which you're interested.) Start researching your financial aid options as well.
    
    
  • Begin scheduling interviews with admissions counselors. If possible, schedule tours of the school grounds on the same days. You and your parent(s) may want to visit the colleges and universities during spring break and summer vacation, so that you do not have to miss school. Some high schools consider a campus visit an excused absence, however, so you may be able to schedule interviews and visits during the school year without incurring any penalties.
    
    
  December:
  
  • You will receive your scores from the October PSAT. Review your PSAT results with your counselor, in order to identify your strengths and to determine the areas that you may need to improve upon. Many high schools offer short-term preparatory classes or seminars on the various exams, which tell the students what to expect and can help to boost their scores.

Dual Enrollment:

Dual enrollment is a program that allows high school students to simultaneously earn college or vocational credit at a Tennessee public institution that will also count as credit toward a high school diploma. Through the Tennessee Dual Enrollment Grant, qualifying students may receive funds to complete a dual enrollment course, therefore decreasing the amount of time and money needed to attain a postsecondary degree. Click here to learn more about the Tennessee Dual Enrollment Grant.

Parents and Students:

• Attend college information programs and meet with college campus representatives when they visit your high school.
  
  
• Visit campuses. Contact the Outreach Office at the campus to schedule a tour and get information about academic programs, admission requirements, and financial aid. Bring your student transcripts or a list of courses completed since the 9th grade.
  
  
• Prepare for the SAT or ACT (American College Testing) by reviewing test preparation books with sample questions. Attend a workshop on how to prepare for these entrance exams. Financial Aid may be available for some workshops or for the test fee; check with your counselor.