Juniors: What should I be doing now to prepare for the College Admissions process?

It’s the time between Regents exams and spring college fairs, what’s a junior in high school to do to prepare for the upcoming college admissions process? We put together a list of the most important tasks for juniors to tackle before April:

  Researching Colleges. This summer you will begin the college application process. Get started now by doing work to craft a preliminary list. There are nearly 3,000 colleges in the United States. Look into which ones fit you best by taking inventory of yourself and what you’re looking to get out of the college experience. Next make an appointment at your school or local library college and career center to learn about print and on-line resources available to inform your research. Also ask the resource center coordinator for a schedule of upcoming college fairs and open houses to visit.

          Preparing for Standardized exams. Whether you are signed up for March, April, or May SAT and/or ACT exams, you want to be sure you start and commit to a study plan. Check here for SAT and ACT deadlines. Juniors should take the SAT and/or ACT exam once before the school year ends (May is perfect as it coincides with your completion of Algebra II and being further along in your mastery of English language and literature coursework), and a second time in October or November of senior year. 

      Getting to know your guidance counselor. If I was paid $5 for each time I asked a junior “have you met 1-on-1 with your guidance counselor,” and gotten a simple "no" response, I’d have a hefty sum of money. Your guidance counselor plays a supportive role in helping you prepare, present yourself, finalize, and send-off applications to colleges. The average high school guidance counselor has a caseload of 471 students. You want your unique personality to stand out in the crowd. Before this semester ends, make an individual appointment with your guidance counselor, introduce yourself, and make a commitment to keep in touch, even if just by email or quick check-ins before your lunch period.

      Earning top grades. Believe it or not, this is the last semester colleges will see on your transcript when considering you for admission. A rigorous high school course schedule is never an excuse for less than stellar performance. Rather showing colleges that you have aced AP, honors, and college-level classes proves that you are college ready. Not making the grade? Consider getting help from your teacher after-school, joining a student study group, or hiring a tutor.