How To Catch Up With College Planning Late Junior Year

College admissions success tends to work out best if you start as early as possible in high school. But what if you're a second-semester high school junior, and you're just now realizing that you should be on top of your college applications? 

While it might feel like you might run out of time, trust me when I say it’s absolutely possible to catch up with your preparations if you stay focused and get moving now. Here’s how to make the most of the next several months.

1. Take A Deep Breath And Organize Your Timeline

First things first: don’t panic! Yes, the clock is ticking, but there's still plenty of time to make smart choices. One of the most important things to do right now is to get organized. Start by making a timeline for the remainder of your semester and the summer before your senior year. Junior year is a critical period for both academics and extracurriculars, and you'll need to balance those with college prep tasks. Create a checklist of things you need to do before applications are due and mark key deadlines like test dates, essay preparation, application deadlines, and scholarship opportunities. This will help you feel more in control.

2. Keep The Focus On Your Academics

Your GPA and curriculum rigor are the biggest factors colleges will consider in your application. Junior year is a pivotal time because colleges place a big emphasis on your grades from this year, so make sure to finish strong. If you're struggling in any classes, now is the time to seek help from teachers or tutors. If you’re aiming for more competitive schools and haven't taken any honors or AP classes, be sure you're enrolled in some for the first semester of your senior year. Pushing yourself more as you move along in high school shows colleges that you're serious about your studies.

3. Understand How You Will Pay For College

Talk to your parents about paying for college. Ask them to be honest with you about what they plan to contribute, if anything. Find out their opinions on college loans; whether or not you should consider them, and how much is reasonable.This discussion could have a huge impact on your college list, so be sure you get this information before you finalize your schools. Understand the basics of financial aid, like FAFSA, grants and loans, to help ease your mind later on. Financial aid can make or break your college decision, so it’s important to understand how it works and what’s available to you. Finally, start exploring scholarship and financial aid opportunities, as many open up in the spring or summer before senior year. Free services like Fastweb.com, Cappex.com, and a favorite – the MOS app – can help you find opportunities. 

4. Build A Balanced College List

What are you wanting from a college experience? What majors are you considering? Are you looking for a big university or a smaller, more intimate campus? Do you want to stay in state or explore out-of-state options? Think about what type of academic programs, extracurricular activities, and campus culture you want to experience. With your preferences in mind, use a site like NIche.com or CollegeSimply.com to start building a balanced list of safety, target, and reach schools that interest you. Keep in mind that this list will likely change as you do more research and visit campuses. 

5. Attend College Fairs And Visit Campuses

College fairs, open houses, and campus visits are excellent ways to get to know colleges in person. Make it a goal to visit a few campuses this year, even if it’s just local schools. If you can’t visit in person, many schools offer virtual tours and information sessions. Getting a feel for what different campuses are like will help you make more informed decisions when it’s time to apply. Plus, you may learn something about the application process that could give you an edge.

6. Get Serious About The ACT Or SAT

Although many schools have kept their test-optional policies in place since the exceptions granted during COVID-19 days, many colleges still put a strong emphasis on SAT or ACT scores. So if you haven’t already, schedule your first SAT or ACT test. Use the days leading up to the test to study, whether that means taking prep classes, hiring a tutor, or just dedicating time each week to self-study. Be prepared to retest as necessary, working to get the highest scores possible, especially in the subjects related to what you intend to study in college.

7. Build Your Résumé Through Leadership and Independent Projects

Colleges love applicants who demonstrate leadership and initiative in one or two specific areas of passion. Be looking for ways to take on leadership roles and extra projects that are tied to your future plans. If you’re not involved in much yet, it’s still not too late to tackle a larger independent project during the summer. If you have a passion outside of school, like playing an instrument, writing or volunteering, now's a great time to nurture your specific strengths or talents, elevate them, and find ways to use them to your advantage in your college and scholarship applications.

8. Line Up Your College Recommenders

It's best to ask recommenders who know you from later in your high school years – Junior year is perfect – to write your letters of recommendation. Start prepping these people by engaging in class, spending extra time on your coursework and stopping in to see them, even if it's just to say hello. Recommenders should not be hearing from you the first time in the fall of senior year , when you're asking for their recommendation. The more these people get to know you and your goals, the stronger they will be in advocating for you!

9. Talk To Your Counselor

Your high school guidance or college planning counselor is a valuable resource. They can help you understand the ins and outs of the college application process and provide advice specific to your situation. Make sure to schedule a meeting with them junior year to discuss your goals, get feedback on your college list, and ensure you’re on track with all the necessary steps.

10. Start Preparing For College Essays

The end of your junior year is a great time to start thinking about your personal and supplemental application essays. Many colleges now place a heavy emphasis on essays, as they give you a chance to show who you are beyond your grades and test scores. Brainstorm ideas for topics that reflect your values, interests, and experiences. Take note of any personal challenges, achievements, or pivotal moments that could serve as topics. Open a Common App account and add schools you think you will apply to, noting the supplemental questions they ask. This will give you an idea of the work that will be involved when you are working on applications. Starting this process early means you won’t feel rushed when senior year rolls around.

It’s All About Where You Finish, Not Where You Start

Even if you’re starting your college planning late in junior year, you can still set yourself up for success in college admissions. The keys are getting organized, jumping in and working steadily towards the deadlines from now until the fall. As long as you remain focused and make progress every week, you’ll be able to develop strong applications that put you on track to a successful future!

Feeling overwhelmed with your college admissions progress and looking for some extra support from an expert? Set up a free 30-minute consult today!