The junior year of high school is the most important year in preparing for college admissions. It is the last full year of grades that colleges will see as they review your college application. It will likely be the most rigorous year of classes as you ramp up your class load with AP, Honors and IB courses. It is also when you should carve out time in your already busy schedule to begin exploring college admissions. At Great College Advice, our goal is to empower students to manage this journey in a way that works best for you. Although there is no cookie-cutter approach, here are some suggestions to kickstart the college admissions process entering your junior year of high school.
Make sure you’re in the right classes
Your junior year is the last real chance to impress college admissions officers with the classes you’re taking, so make it count! Work with your counselor to make sure you’re not taking on too much but that you’re also challenging yourself. If your high school offers a number of Advanced Placement (AP) classes then your junior year is when you should begin taking a handful of them. If you’re unsure whether to take a tough course because you’re worried about your GPA, discuss it with your counselor and parents. But, colleges want to see you challenge yourself so err on the side of taking that AP course as long as you’re not completely overwhelmed and stressed. Keep studying to make sure your grades stay up!
Continue your extracurricular interests
Colleges are interested in students who are engaged and active in extracurricular activities. They want students who will animate their campuses and make them interesting places to work and play. Your junior year of high school is a great time to step into a leadership role in an activity that you have enjoyed during your freshman and/or sophomore year. Rather than quantity, focus on the quality of your extracurriculars. These activities could be as part of the school such as academic clubs and sports or could be a passion outside of school. But, either way, focus on the interests that you truly care about and deepen your commitments to those areas. If possible, spend time identifying ways to enhance the club or organization and bring these ideas to life. Being a participant is great, but learning to lead and make a difference outside the classroom is an accomplishment that colleges truly value.
Make a plan around SAT/ACT testing
If you haven’t already, fall of your junior year is the time to map out your standardized testing plan. Although most colleges remain test optional following COVID, we recommend studying and sitting for the SAT or ACT at least once. Some of the most selective colleges have begun to once again require standardized test score submissions. Also, even though many colleges truly are test optional, your admission odds may increase with a test result above a certain threshold. In terms of which test to take, you may want to take a practice exam for each. Many test prep companies will provide free resources as well. We strongly recommend that you schedule at least one “real” test in your junior year and have another date as a “back up plan.” We generally recommend that you try to take your first test in the fall or winter of junior year, with spring as a fall back option if you need to retake. Senior year is going to be super busy, so don’t leave the testing until the last minute. Plan!
Take the PSAT in October
Even if you took the PSAT during your sophomore year, this is the one that counts! The PSAT is used to qualify people for the National Merit Scholarship Competition. Even if you don’t think you’ll score high enough to qualify for the scholarship, the PSAT is a great way to acclimate yourself to the fun of taking standardized college entrance exams (just kidding!). You will sign up for the PSAT at your school, so look for announcements from your guidance office.
Begin researching colleges and majors
The first semester of your junior year is a good time to begin exploring what colleges have to offer. The Fiske Guide to Colleges is an invaluable resource to get a comprehensive overview of hundreds of colleges and be introduced to potential college fits that you never knew existed. Compile a list of schools to explore further and visit their websites to learn more. Most colleges now offer virtual tours which is a great way to learn more about majors, dorm life, athletics, dining, and the social scene. For those colleges that appeal to you, sign up to their email distribution lists. As you explore, ask yourself questions along the way. Will you be happy at a rural school, or do you want to be in the city? Do large lectures seem like the way to go, or would you rather have a school with small classes? Based on your academic interests, does this college have the major(s) that you may pursue? Can you see yourself at this school? Make a list of the attributes important to you and what colleges pique your interest. This is the building block of what will eventually become your college list, which will get refined over the course of the next year.
Visit a college(s) and/or attend a college fair near you
Now that you have a sense of the type of school you’re interested in, it’s time to do a test drive! Rather than jetting off to what you think is your dream school for a visit, we recommend exploring local options first. If you have a day or two off for fall break, plan a visit to a few nearby colleges. They don’t have to be ones at the top of your list. Rather, aim for diversity; check out a big school vs. a small school or a public university vs. a liberal arts college. Sign up in advance through the respective admissions offices for a tour. When you’re on campus, think about whether you can envision yourself at a school like this. By starting local and thinking more thoughtfully about what is important to you, you will be able to become more strategic when it comes to future college trips.
Also, use the first semester of your junior year to attend college fairs in the area. Visiting college booths and talking to admissions representatives is a great way to learn more about potential colleges of interest. As this will be your first time in front of admissions officers, you may be nervous. But admissions reps are not to be feared! They want you to succeed and are happy to answer questions about their university. Your guidance counselor will likely provide more information at the beginning of the school year. For example, the National Association for College Admission Counseling (NACAC) has 34 college fairs going on throughout the country this fall.
Build relationships with teachers
You will ask teachers for letters of recommendation near the end of your junior year. Keep this in mind as you begin your junior year. Hopefully there will be classes that you find truly interesting, and you come to class every day eager to learn. By coming in prepared, with a positive attitude, willing to collaborate with peers, and actively participating in discussions, your teacher will appreciate your intellectual curiosity. As an invaluable and respected member of the classroom, your teacher will eagerly write a letter of recommendation on your behalf entering your senior year.
Need help kickstarting your junior year college admissions journey?
This to-do list contains recommendations to stay on track and take control of the college planning process entering your junior year. However, if you feel as though you need some personal guidance so that you can blaze your trail toward college success, please contact us for a free consultation. The team at Great College Advice has deep experience in guiding students along the road from high school to college. We provide personalized college consulting focused on helping make the process of preparing, selecting, and applying to college more successful, less stressful, and more fun. Here’s to a great start to your junior year!
