ic S/general/checkmark circled Thanks for subscribing! Be on the lookout for our next newsletter.
ic S/general/checkmark circled
Saved to My Favorites. View My Favorites
Articles / Applying to College / How Juniors Can Start Prepping Now for College Applications

How Juniors Can Start Prepping Now for College Applications

Elena Loveland
Written by Elena Loveland | Jan. 31, 2020
How Juniors Can Start Prepping Now for College Applications

Neonbrand/Unsplash

Junior year of high school can be an intense academic period, and many students get stressed about the thought of applying to colleges in the fall. However, there are many things that juniors can do to get a head start on their college applications.

"With the right preparation and college plan, applying to college in the fall of senior year doesn't have to be as stressful," says Jessica Colt, counselor at Our Lady Academy of Peace in San Diego, Calif.


Students can start on the following activities to help jump-start the college application process:

Some high schools have special programs in the summer before senior year to help prepare students for fall college application season.

"One successful program my school has adopted is offering week-long intense college application bootcamps in the summer after junior year which prep our rising seniors very well for the following fall semester," explains Colt. "We have them research all the types of applications, write drafts of essays, fill out their letter of recommendation brag packets, and finalize their college lists. The more work students can do prior to senior year, the smoother, more focused, and less anxiety-provoking senior year will be."

Even if your school does not offer this kind of "jumpstart" program, you can still do these activities on your own during the spring of junior year or over the summer before senior year.

Don't Overlook Importance of Good Grades Junior Year

Academically, 11th grade can be the most important year, and students should really focus on getting the best grades possible.

"Colleges are looking at junior year quite closely because that is the final year students will have completed in high school prior to applying to college," explains Melanie Talesnick, a former high school counselor and founder of Admit U Consulting in Livingston, N.J. "So if you need to form better study groups, now is the time; if you need to connect with your teachers for more assistance, don't wait any longer ... And this will also benefit students when they are looking for teacher letters of recommendation."

Although junior year is extremely important, students should not lose steam during senior year. As juniors, they should still plan on which academically rigorous courses they will take in 12th grade.

"Junior year isn't about saying, 'Yes, I've finally made it through the worst part!' It's also about the courses you plan to take next year," Talesnick says. "Remember, those classes are on your transcript, so it's important to maintain the same rigor or even add some rigor as a senior ... It's also important to have at least five academic courses. The 'S' in senior year, isn't for 'slacking' or 'senioritis.'"

Get to Know Your School Counselor

High school juniors should make an appointment with their school counselors to discuss college goals.

"When counselors have caseloads in the 300 to 400 student range, it's difficult to get to know every student ... It's important to let them know your goals, aspirations, activities and overall thoughts about the college process. I would also suggest developing a resume/activity sheet to give to your counselor so that they know more about you and your involvement outside of the regular school day," says Talesnick.

Ultimately, getting some legwork done junior year — while maintaining good grades — can go a long way to help ease the stress that senior year will bring and make the college application process more enjoyable overall.

Share Your Thoughts

We'd love to hear your college readiness tips for HS juniors. Check out our forum to contribute to the conversation!

Written by

Elena Loveland

Elena Loveland

Elena Loveland has been a writer and editor covering higher education and college admissions for 18 years and is the author of Creative Colleges: Finding the Best Programs for Aspiring Artists, Designers, Dancers, Musicians, Writers, and More. Creative Colleges has earned recognition in the College Bound Teen, the Washington Post, the San Francisco Gate and U.S. News and World Report's Annual College Guide. Loveland has spoken at the Independent Educational Consultants Association and the University of the Arts, as well as several high schools about college admission for creative students. She has worked for the National Association for College Admission Counseling as editor of the Journal of College Admission and for NAFSA: Association of International Educators as editor-in-chief of International Educator magazine. As an independent journalist, Loveland.s work has appeared in numerous publications such as American Careers, Dance Teacher, Hispanic Outlook on Higher Education, International Educator, Pointe, Teen Vogue, University Business and the U.S. News & World Report's Annual College Guide, among several others. She has a master's degree in English and has been an adjunct instructor at three higher education institutions. Loveland provides private college admissions consulting to families upon request. She lives in the Washington, D.C., metropolitan area.

More on Applying to College

See all
typing at computer- karolina-grabowska-6958506-resized

Authentic Voice in College Essays

That’s why you want to use your authentic voice when writing any college essay.

So what’s the problem? A student has shared an ess…

college-interview

College Interview Prep Tips: Brainstorm, Research, Analyze, Generalize

I recently visited Washington University in Saint Louis and was lucky enough to set up an interview. By speaking with peers of mi…

campus gates

Academic Index Scores: Why They Matter and How They're Calculated

Note: Click here for 10 Summer Programs You Can Still Apply For or keep reading to learn more about academic index scores.

8 Podcasts for Students Going Through the Admissions Process

7 Podcasts for Students Going Through the Admissions Process

Podcasts can offer a wealth of information to busy students, particularly when it comes to the college admissions process. We…

pexels-yan-krukau-8197544

Avoid College Application Regrets: Tips For Getting It Right the First Time

Decision Day occurs each year on May 1st and is the deadline for students to inform the college of their choice of their intent t…

Get a student loan that goes beyond tuition.

Ascent offers cosigned and non-cosigned student loans with exclusive benefits that set students up for success.

Explore Now!
Find Your Scholarship

Want to find money for school that doesn’t need to be paid back? Access insights and advice on how to search and apply for scholarships!

Search for Scholarship