Juniors – 6 Quick Things to Explore Before Senior Year
Juniors,
As we begin forecasting for your senior year, this is a great time to start thinking about what you might want to do after high school. You do not need to have everything figured out yet. The goal right now is simply to explore your options and start learning about careers, colleges, training programs, scholarships, and financial aid.
Try clicking just one link below that interests you to start exploring your options. You might be surprised by what you discover.
Students pursue many successful paths after high school, including college, workforce training, or military service. Below is a simple roadmap and a few resources to help you begin exploring.
Quick Advice as You Head Toward Senior Year
A few things matter more than students sometimes realize:
• Grades (GPA) – many colleges and scholarships look closely at your junior and senior year grades.
• Attendance – attendance records appear on transcripts and can impact recommendations, scholarships, and job opportunities after graduation.
• Rigor – challenging yourself with courses like College Now or other advanced classes can help you prepare for what comes next.
Finishing junior year strong and choosing a thoughtful senior schedule can help keep more options open.
1. Explore Careers (Spring of Junior Year)
Start by reviewing your YouScience results through Clever:
YouScience
Look at careers connected to your strengths, the education required, typical salary ranges, and future job demand in that field.
2. College Now Classes
LHS students earn college credit before graduation through College Now or dual credit classes on the LHS campus. These credits can save time and tuition and help you start college with credits already completed. Read more in the Curriculum Guide on page 8.
Some graduates continue their education at Linn-Benton Community College. Explore programs and transfer options here: LBCC programs& Associate of Arts Oregon Transfer Degrees
3. Discover Colleges or Training Programs (Spring → Summer)
College search tools:
https://bigfuture.collegeboard.org
https://www.niche.com/colleges
Explore programs, admission requirements, campus size, and estimated cost after financial aid. Most students explore 3–7 schools or programs, not just one.
Highly recommend visiting a campus or two this spring or summer.
Try searching:
• “[College Name] campus tour”
• “[College Name] admissions visit”
• “[College Name] virtual tour”
Community colleges also offer campus tours and program information sessions.
SAT Registration
Some colleges still consider test scores for admission or scholarships.
SAT Registration
https://satsuite.collegeboard.org/sat/registration
Consider taking the SAT once this spring. Early data = more options later.
Note: Some careers begin with career and technical education (CTE), skilled trades training, or industry certification programs, which can lead directly to well-paying careers and continued education opportunities.
4. Think About the Cost (Return on Investment)
Education and training are investments. When exploring a career or program, ask yourself these four questions:
The 4-Question Test
• Cost – What does the program or degree cost? Time to complete?
• Financial Aid – What scholarships or financial aid might be available?
• Income – What is the typical income for that career?
• Demand – Are employers hiring in this field? What do job openings look like in the future?
Some students attend a four-year university, while others begin at community college or career training programs.
5. Scholarships (Senior Year)
Local LHS scholarships open in January of senior year:
https://high-school.lebanon.k12.or.us/student-resources/college-career-center/
National scholarship search tools:
https://www.fastweb.com
https://www.scholarships.com
Many colleges also offer automatic merit scholarships based on GPA and coursework.
try searching:
“[College Name] merit Scholarships" or “[College Name] merit scholarship calculator”.
Tips: You can begin exploring scholarship opportunities now, even though most applications open during senior year. Some scholarships are awarded automatically when you apply to a college based on your GPA and coursework.
6. Financial Aid (Senior Year)
Watch for “College Knowledge Night - Financial Aid” night at LHS in the fall
All seniors should complete the FAFSA:
https://studentaid.gov
Oregon students may also qualify for Oregon Promise, which helps cover tuition at Oregon community colleges:
https://oregonstudentaid.gov/grants/oregon-promise-grant/
Even if you are unsure about your plans after high school, completing the FAFSA helps determine what financial aid you may qualify for. Completing the FAFSA is also required for many grants and programs, including Oregon Promise.
If you are not sure where to start, that is completely normal. The spring of junior year is the time to ask questions and explore possibilities.
If you would like help exploring careers, colleges, scholarships, or training programs, feel free to stop by the counseling office to speak with your counselor or reach out to me by email. Our team is happy to help you explore your options.
