Top Eleven for 11th Graders

1. Continue to be focused on your classes by earning the best grades you can and seeking out help (attending tutoring)
from your teachers when needed.
2. ATTENDANCE is key! It is important to be in school every day to receive the valuable material your teachers are
sharing. This will help you to have the necessary information to review/study at night. If you are out of school, e-mail
your teachers about what you missed that day, so you have a jump start when returning to school.
3. Take the SAT and/or ACT. Please keep in mind that you will be taking the ACT during the school day in March for a
state assessment. It is important that you take this test seriously because it can be used for College Admission. Also,
see if any of the schools youre interested in require the SAT Subject Tests, so you will know if you need to take them.
4. Visit College Campuses.
-Example: Would you like to attend a small, medium or large school? Do you want to go to school in the city?
At the beach? Or in the mountains?
-Visiting schools will also help you learn the college admissions requirements.
-It is recommended that you visit no more than two colleges in a day, information will start to run together.
- Attend the Charlotte National College Fair
Charlotte Convention Center
Sunday, March 12th from 12:00 pm 4:00 pm
Fair Registration:
http://www.gotomyncf.com/Registration/EventSelectForState?stateName=All&grdSelectEvents-page=2
-See Ms. Cunningham for all college visit information. The meetings are typically 30 minutes long with the
college admissions representative.
5. Get involved! It is important for you to join clubs, play sports, work, or volunteer; fill your time outside of school in a
productive and consistent manner.
6. Start thinking about ways to pay for college. Many colleges have a variety of scholarships for their students. Ask
about the financial aid packet information on your college visits and review their web pages. Many schools rather
public or private give different amounts of scholarships, grants or loan amounts, dont assume it is the same form
school to school. For scholarship information, please see the Scholarship tab on the Vance Student Services website.
7. Spring registration. Be sure to do your research before you meet with your counselor to choose your junior year
schedule. It would be very beneficial for you to know what classes you are comfortable taking, while at the same time
being challenged.
8. Explore possible careers. Utilize your CFNC account to determine which career you are interested in. This will give you
an idea of what you may want to major in when visiting a given college.
- Volunteer where you are likely to meet someone who has one of the jobs you are interested in.
- Look into a paid or unpaid internship (See Mrs. Henry for all info on internships)
- Job shadow: Accompany someone in the field you are wanting to explore
- Find a mentor who can give you information and advice on the field (family member or friends)
9. Junior appointments! Your counselor will be going into your English and American History class to meet with you
individually. This will help you be more prepared and organized for your senior year.
10. Summer Time! Make sure you complete at least a couple of valuable activities over the summer. These activities can
include: a part-time job, volunteer work, summer camps, and programs at a college/university, internships and job
shadowing.
11. Enjoy your summer while getting together your list of colleges and begin applying by July 1 (applicable for most
schools). Next summer you will be a High School GRADUATE and beginning the next chapter in your life!