While senior year gets the spotlight, much of the prep work should happen NOW. Here’s a short guide to get you started on your college planning.

1. Evaluate Your Academic Standing

Colleges will closely review your grades and the rigor of your coursework. Depending on which country, college and program you are applying to, you may be required to have certain courses to be eligible or competitive. It is important you are on track to meet those requirements now while there is still time.

• Grades: Focus on maintaining strong grades, particularly in challenging courses like AP, dual enrollment, or IB courses.

• Course Selection: Ensure your coursework aligns with your future academic interests, goals, AND potential admissions requirements.

2. Research Colleges

Begin exploring potential colleges. You don’t need to finalize your list yet, but gather information on a range of schools that meet your academic and non-academic criteria. A great place to start researching colleges is Peterson’s, but remember the most accurate information will come from the colleges themselves.

• Build College List: Include a mix of reach, match, and safety schools

• Factors to Consider: Location, campus culture, size, academic offerings, student support, and career services are just a few of the important factors you should consider. Evaluate what is important for your personal college search.

• Plan Campus Visits: Don’t wait for summer break to begin visiting campuses. Plan visits now while students are on campus to give you a better sense of the culture and life there. It is important to visit campuses to gain a better idea of what you want and don’t want from your future college.

3. Prepare for Standardized Tests

If you plan to take the SAT or ACT, start preparing now. Plan to take the test at least twice this spring and summer to meet fall deadlines. While most colleges are test-free or test-optional, remember that more and more schools are shifting back to requiring testing. Research the testing requirements of your potential colleges as you plan.

• Test Dates: Register at least six weeks in advance for the SAT or ACT as space is limited and some locations get full early.

• Study Tools: Consider prep books, online resources, or tutoring if necessary – do what works best for your personal study habits and schedule. Check out my post with great tips and resources for preparing for the SAT.

4. Engage in Extracurriculars

Colleges want to see students who are involved outside of the classroom. Focus on quality over quantity. I recommend creating a student resume now so that you can see the full picture of your activities starting from grade nine. Consider where your strengths and weaknesses are and how you want to present yourself to colleges.

• Leadership: Seek leadership roles or greater involvement in your activities.

• Passions: Continue deepening your commitment to activities that align with your interests.

• Exploration:  Investigate options to help with choosing your college major and career options while building your resume.

5. Build Strong Relationships with Teachers

Letters of recommendation will most likely be a necessary part of your application. Build connections with teachers who can write detailed and supportive letters.

• Participate in Class: Engage with teachers to build meaningful relationships.

• Ask Early: Approach teachers in the spring for recommendation letters. More information about recommendation letters can be found here.

6. Start Thinking About Essays

College essays are an opportunity to show who you are beyond your academics. Now is a great time to begin brainstorming potential topics. Review the past Common Application essay prompts and think about what topics may be good fits for you.

• Personal Statement:  Review the personal statement prompts and begin generating ideas. Reflect on your experiences, challenges, and personal growth.

• Supplemental Essays: Look at past supplemental essay prompts for your potential colleges and remember to plan in extra time to write them this summer.

7. Plan for Financial Aid

Start thinking about how you’ll fund your college education NOW.

• Net Price Calculators:  Work with your family to complete net price calculators for colleges of interest. This will give you a general idea of your potential costs.

• Scholarships: Research potential scholarships available to juniors and start applying.

• FAFSA and CSS Profile: Do your research to understand the financial aid process and what forms and documentation are needed.

8. Stay Organized

Unfortunately, the college application process is not simple, stay on top of deadlines and requirements.

• Create a Timeline: Plan out your tasks for the next year. From test prep to application submission deadlines, include everything.

• Track Materials Needed: Create an excel sheet or system that works for you to organize and keep track of all application requirements such as essays, activity descriptions, transcripts, financial aid documents, and testing.

Final Thoughts

Junior year is crucial for setting up a smooth college application process. By focusing on academics, extracurriculars, college research, and relationships now, you’ll be in a great position to tackle your college applications senior year. The work you do this year will lay the foundation for successful applications and ultimately help you find the right college fit. If you would like expert college counseling, now is a great time to contact us.