Junior year of high school is truly when the majority of college admissions tasks begin (I always describe it as the steep part of the mountain climb!). Here’s a list of five valuable steps high school juniors can take now to get ahead on college admissions:
1. Research and Visit Colleges
Start by researching colleges that match your interests, career goals, and desired campus culture. Virtual tours and in-person visits are both valuable for narrowing down your list.
Pay attention to factors like class sizes, location, academic programs, and extracurricular opportunities.
2. Focus on Grades and Challenging Coursework
Colleges consider your junior year grades among the most important in admissions. Strive for high performance in challenging courses and seek help if needed.
Consider taking AP or honors classes, as colleges value rigorous coursework that demonstrates academic commitment.
3. Prepare for Standardized Tests
Whether you’re aiming for the SAT or ACT, begin practicing now to get comfortable with the format and timing.
Sign up for a spring or summer test date if you haven’t already, and consider test-prep resources to improve your scores.
4. Engage in Extracurricular Activities
Colleges look for students who are active and engaged outside the classroom. Focus on quality, not quantity, by deepening your involvement in a few meaningful activities.
Seek leadership roles or unique contributions that can set you apart, like starting a project, volunteering, or taking on a position in a club.
5. Begin Planning Your Application Story
Think about what makes you unique and how you’ll present yourself to colleges. Consider your personal strengths, achievements, and any experiences that have shaped you.
Start brainstorming ideas for personal essays, focusing on themes that highlight your goals, character, and growth.
These proactive steps will put high school juniors in a strong position as they head into their senior year, ready to tackle the application process with confidence.
And as a reminder, I will be holding a free webinar for sophomores and juniors next week on 20 November! In this free webinar, we will talk about the things HS sophomores and juniors should be doing now to prepare for the college admissions process. One of the keys to keeping the admissions process organized and the stress levels low is to start early. This session will provide a great jumping off point.
Grab your free ticket here. (Even if you can't join us on November 20th, grab a ticket and I will send you the slides and recording the day after the event!)
As always, if you are interested in speaking with us about how we partner with families to navigate the process, please feel free to grab some time with us here: Foundry Consultations
Thank you for choosing Foundry Admissions Strategies. We look forward to being a part of your educational journey and helping you achieve success.
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