News for Juniors
Juniors Can Sign Up for the PSAT | Posted 8/28/25
Attention Juniors: The PSAT test will be given at Newark on October 15 from 8:00 - 11:00. If you do well it could qualify you as a National Merit Scholar. Several scholarships use PSAT/NMSQT scores to find eligible juniors. Please sign up by putting your name on Mrs. Ahearn's bulletin board. Then take cash or a check for $18 payable to Newark High School to Ms. Ingraham in the main office by 9/12/25.
Project Plan Ahead- For Students in grades 9, 10, 11 & their Parents: Thurs., 9/18/25 6:30-7:30 PM Posted 6/3/25
The School Counselor held an informational meeting for students in grades 9, 10, and 11 and their parents/guardians once a year. Topics that were discussed included graduation requirements, four-year plans, using Xello to research careers, career pathways including military and apprenticeship programs, IVVC, NCAA & NAIA eligibility, ACT, GPA/Class Rank, and Dual Credit & Early Entry options for college.
View the Presentation (PDF)
Information for Juniors: Planning Your Future
College Visits & Applications
Timing:
Community colleges like JJC and Waubonsee offer affordable, smaller class settings and transferable credits. Tuition ranges between $5,000–$10,000 annually, significantly less than four-year schools. Some programs not offered locally can be pursued elsewhere via chargeback agreements. Contact the school counselor for details or to arrange visits.
Apprenticeships & Unions
Each fall, colleges and military recruiters may request lists of juniors and seniors with contact info, as allowed by federal and state law.
If you do not want your information shared, write a letter to the school counselor (records custodian) by October 1 to withhold your info. Without the letter, your info will be shared if requested. For questions, contact the school counselor.
Sports After High School
Are you considering playing sports at the college level? What schools and sports are you considering? If any of those schools are NCAA Division I or II or an NAIA school, you MUST register with the NCAA Eligibility Clearinghouse or NAIA website in order to be eligible to play sports at the college level.
For the NCAA:
SAT Prep
Visit U3K4College.com for info on small colleges (under 3,000 students) and career exploration. The site also offers an “Ask Peter” section for personalized college search help.
Senior Year Prep
Attention Juniors: The PSAT test will be given at Newark on October 15 from 8:00 - 11:00. If you do well it could qualify you as a National Merit Scholar. Several scholarships use PSAT/NMSQT scores to find eligible juniors. Please sign up by putting your name on Mrs. Ahearn's bulletin board. Then take cash or a check for $18 payable to Newark High School to Ms. Ingraham in the main office by 9/12/25.
Project Plan Ahead- For Students in grades 9, 10, 11 & their Parents: Thurs., 9/18/25 6:30-7:30 PM Posted 6/3/25
The School Counselor held an informational meeting for students in grades 9, 10, and 11 and their parents/guardians once a year. Topics that were discussed included graduation requirements, four-year plans, using Xello to research careers, career pathways including military and apprenticeship programs, IVVC, NCAA & NAIA eligibility, ACT, GPA/Class Rank, and Dual Credit & Early Entry options for college.
View the Presentation (PDF)Information for Juniors: Planning Your Future
College Visits & Applications
Timing:
- Spring semester and summer of your junior year are prime times to research and visit colleges. College applications are due October 1–December 1 of your senior year, with many priority deadlines on November 1.
- Schedule visits directly on college admissions websites (many have calendars).
- Many colleges offer virtual tours or limited in-person visits—check college websites for details.
- Drive-by visits are also an option if nearby.
- After scheduling, submit absence forms via the school counselor to avoid attendance penalties—you get two college days each for junior and senior years.
- Use Xello to research majors, colleges, and careers (accessible via school website or Chromebook).
- On visits, assess if the college offers your major, check campus size, safety, dorms, dining, extracurriculars, and overall atmosphere.
- Try sitting in on a class, touring dorms, and eating dorm food if possible.
- Keep notes on pros and cons to guide your final decisions.
- Questions to Ask on a College Visit (PDF)
- Apply to 3-5 colleges
- One safe school
- Three schools matching your major and interests
- One reach school
- Applying to more is okay but can complicate decisions.
Community colleges like JJC and Waubonsee offer affordable, smaller class settings and transferable credits. Tuition ranges between $5,000–$10,000 annually, significantly less than four-year schools. Some programs not offered locally can be pursued elsewhere via chargeback agreements. Contact the school counselor for details or to arrange visits.
Apprenticeships & Unions
- Unions require good grades, especially in math and reading, plus test scores.
- Higher scores and transcripts place you higher on union call sheets.
- Some unions require sponsorship; the school counselor can provide specifics and arrange meetings or local visits.
- Interested in the military? Contact the school counselor early to connect with recruiters.
- Meet with a recruiter and a parent early in fall to prepare for the ASVAB test, physicals, and enlistment.
- Consider colleges with ROTC programs to earn commissions as officers upon graduation.
- For help or information, see the school counselor.
Each fall, colleges and military recruiters may request lists of juniors and seniors with contact info, as allowed by federal and state law.
If you do not want your information shared, write a letter to the school counselor (records custodian) by October 1 to withhold your info. Without the letter, your info will be shared if requested. For questions, contact the school counselor.
Sports After High School
Are you considering playing sports at the college level? What schools and sports are you considering? If any of those schools are NCAA Division I or II or an NAIA school, you MUST register with the NCAA Eligibility Clearinghouse or NAIA website in order to be eligible to play sports at the college level.
For the NCAA:
- You must have 16 approved core courses on your transcript by graduation
- 10 of those must be completed by the end of junior year
- 7 must be in English, Math, or Science (for Division I)
- You must meet minimum ACT/SAT + GPA index scores
- It costs $80.00 to register
- You must have at least a 3.0 GPA and an 18 ACT or 940 SAT
- Registration costs $75 in high school, or $100 after graduation
SAT Prep
- Use Khan Academy for targeted SAT prep.
- Pull last year’s test scores into Khan Academy for personalized practice.
- Practice SAT will be held at Newark High in February.
- Mrs. McAnally has additional study materials available—contact her to borrow.
- Retake SAT or take ACT if needed—plan to finish testing by end of October. the school counselor can help you register and interpret scores.
Visit U3K4College.com for info on small colleges (under 3,000 students) and career exploration. The site also offers an “Ask Peter” section for personalized college search help.
Senior Year Prep
- Plan now to avoid last-minute stress.
- Summer is a great time to finalize college visits and choices.
- View the Questions to Ask on a College Visit (PDF).
- If military or apprenticeship is your goal, schedule recruiter visits or trade tours now.
- Check your class schedule to ensure it aligns with your goals — the school counselor is available for one-on-one guidance.
- Narrow down college choices by attending Open Houses or planning personal visits
- Gather federal tax information for the FAFSA
- Volunteer
- Find a part-time job
- Search for scholarships
- Begin working on college application essays (Google examples of good essays)
- Local food pantry
- Local animal shelter
- Church mission opportunities
- Local Vacation Bible Schools
- Feed My Starving Children
- Local homeless shelters
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