We know the choices your teens make today can substantially impact their lives, and the responsibility to help them make the best choices can be daunting. By helping them understand their options and facilitating timely, positive actions, parents can help their high school junior students prepare for higher education and training in the they choose.
High School Students’ Influencers
The process of guiding your kids toward happy, productive lives and careers begins at an early age, but their junior year in high school is a pivotal year for career planning. While environment and family are major factors influencing their post-high school plans, many of their vocational interests stem from their academic strengths and personal interests. Maximizing exposure to various occupations and learning more about the time and effort required to complete education and training can strongly influence career path choices.
In-Demand Careers
The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) identifies these top in-demand jobs through 2033:
Wind turbine service technicians
Solar photovoltaic installers
Nurse practitioners
Information security analysts
Medical/health services managers
Physician assistants
Operations research analysts
Occupational therapy assistants
Actuaries
Financial examiners
Because highly specialized knowledge and skills are needed in several of the top in-demand careers, traditional college and university programs may not be applicable for your high school junior. No matter what career direction a student wants to take, create a timeline that considers coursework and necessary application requirements. Your student should work closely with counselors and teachers who can share additional information that will help.
Sample High School Junior-Senior Year Timeline
Each student has a different level of emotional and scholastic maturity, so there are no set-in-stone rules for helping your child prepare for senior year. But here’s a suggested timeline:
GRADE 10
Fall-Spring
Meet with your counselor
Take the Armed Services Vocational Aptitude Battery (ASVAB)
Summer
Attend college fairs
Schedule time with home-for-summer college students
GRADE 11
Fall
Begin building relationships with counselors/teachers that can help you
Begin reviewing high education facilities – colleges, universities, technical schools, trade schools
Discuss family finances and financial aid options
Meet with your counselor
Plan to participate in more extracurricular activities this year (Colleges want to know if you are involved or have leadership responsibilities.)
Take the Preliminary Scholastic Aptitude Test (PSAT)
Winter
Note registration deadlines for SAT and American College Test (ACT)
Visit nearby colleges/universities/trade schools
2026 confirmed SAT test dates are March 14, May 2, and June 6.
Spring
Begin requesting letters of recommendation from employers, mentors/coaches, teachers
Explore scholarship opportunities
Request applications from colleges/schools you are seriously considering
Summer
Take summer school classes that might help raise your GPA
Visit colleges/schools you are seriously considering
GRADE 12
Fall
Begin calendaring to track deadlines, etc.
Compile letters of recommendation from employers, mentors/coaches, teachers
Complete all applications and submit
Complete college essays/request a teacher proof
Consider Early Application submissions to colleges/schools
Decide on 5-10 college/school choices
Follow-up on scholarships
Meet with your counselor
Submit Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) after Oct. 1
Take the SAT/ACT
Winter
Ask counselor to submit semester grades to colleges that requested them
Contact every college/school to which you applied, asking if they received your submission
File financial aid documents
If accepted for Early Application from one school, withdraw applications from others
Spring
Compare different financial aid offers
Follow-up on FAFSA, pursue grants
Make a final visit to your top-choice college campus
Once accepted and decision is made, complete enrollment process/decline other offers
Take Advanced Placement (AP) exams
Summer
Jump-start freshman year by taking summer classes
Sign up for freshman orientation
Submit final high school transcript to your college
Thank all high school counselors, teachers, coaches/mentors who helped you
One of the ways you can join in improving academic opportunities for Tomball students is through donations to the Tomball Education Foundation. Contact us to learn ways we better-prepare Tomball students for the future and how you can help.
FAQ
Two frequently asked questions include:
Texas averages a 90% graduation rate. Tomball schools have an almost 100% four-year graduation rate.
Tomball high school students average 1073 on the SAT. The Texas average is 978.