Junior Year of High School
By Jade Henry
FWIS Contributing
Youth Writer
It is hard to believe we are in August! It is hard to believe school will be starting soon and I will be a junior at Wayne High School! My parents have convinced me that THIS is the year that counts! It is now time to research scholarships, do well on my Scholastic Aptitude Test (SAT), and maintain a good grade point average (GPA) if I want to further my education and attend the Historically Black College and University (HBCU) of my choice.
Since the junior year transcript is the final full set of grades and coursework that admission officers will see on your college application, it should highlight your strong academic performance. Any extracurricular activities, sports, clubs, part-time jobs, and/or volunteer opportunities should all be mentioned when applying to colleges. Having a resume listing your accomplishments is encouraged for easy reference when applying online to colleges/universities.
The junior year GPA is also taken into consideration when applying to colleges. Colleges generally consider achievement during your whole high school year, but since your junior year is the most recent "complete" year prior to your application, they find it more important.
GPAs of 3.0 or above are preferred by most universities. Some community colleges and/or universities may accept passing GPAs of 2.0 or higher (a C average). If your GPA is below 2.0 or close to a 2.0, you should make every effort to improve it. Improving your GPA is not as difficult as it seems. You just must be determined and use every opportunity to improve it. Turning in assignments on time, asking your teachers for extra credit assignments, going to school early or staying late for any additional help could potentially boost your overall grade in the class.
The SAT score is also important when it comes to getting free money or an acceptance letter. SAT scores range from 400-1600. The better the score, the better your chance of receiving scholarship money and acceptance letters to the college/university of your choice. As you move on to each question of the SAT, the questions will adapt to your academic level. For instance, the questions will either get harder for each one you get correct or easier for each one you get wrong. Helping to prepare for this exam can be done using a free online resource, Khan Academy. Khan Academy has practice questions with tutorials and a practice exam to help improve your understanding and ultimately your overall score.
I am more prepared than ever to make my junior year great!
No matter what grade you are entering, prepare yourself for a successful school year!