The seniors at your school are hitting submit on early applications this month, and a lot of juniors are watching them and wondering how far behind they are. You're right on schedule. Junior fall is a good time to set up a few things so next fall feels a lot calmer than what you're seeing in the senior hallway.
Prefer to watch or listen? In Episode 19 of Drop In: The College Admissions Podcast, Lisa and Josh break down what juniors should actually be doing now, from SAT/ACT planning and grades to activities, college visits, summer plans, and building a college list that is allowed to change. For an even broader junior-year roadmap, The Junior Year Head Start That Actually Works takes a deeper look at academics, testing, activities, recommendations, summer planning, financial fit, and how to make steady progress without turning junior year into one long admissions panic.
Why Do Junior Year Grades Matter So Much for College?
For most colleges, junior year is the last full year of grades they'll see before making a decision. Admissions readers look at how your grades move over time and whether you took the harder classes your school offers. We get into how colleges recalculate GPA in Episode 2 of Drop In and in our post on what your GPA tells colleges.
If a class is going sideways this fall, go see the teacher now. Most teachers will help a student who shows up in October asking how to turn a grade around.
What Should Juniors Do After the PSAT?
Your PSAT scores will show up in the next few weeks. The score report breaks down which kinds of questions gave you trouble, which makes it a useful starting point for a testing plan. Figure out whether the SAT or ACT suits you better, then pick a spring test date and work backward to build a prep schedule.
Our SAT vs. ACT episode talks through how to choose. For how much scores count at different schools, see our post on test optional, test blind, and test required.
When Should Juniors Start Building a College List?
Now works. Start with fifteen or twenty schools that catch your interest for any reason, then figure out what they have in common. Pay attention to size and location, and notice which ones keep pulling you back when you read about them.
Visits help a lot. A long weekend is a good time to walk around a campus close to home, even one you'd never apply to, so you can learn what size feels right. Our post on how to build a college list and Episode 3 of Drop In cover how to balance reach and likely schools.
How to Start an Activities Resume in Junior Year
Open a Google Doc and list everything you do outside class, with hours per week and the years you've done it. Jobs count, and so does watching your younger siblings after school. Add to it every few months so next August you have it all in one place.
When it's time to apply, our post on the Common App activities section shows how to turn that list into strong descriptions. And if you're wondering which activities matter most, we wrote about why depth beats breadth.
How Should Juniors Build Relationships With Teachers for Recommendation Letters?
Most selective colleges ask for two teacher letters, and most students end up asking teachers they have junior year. Those teachers are getting to know you right now. Ask questions in class and stop by during office hours when something from the reading sticks with you.
You'll make the official ask in the spring. We explain how to do it in Episode 8 of Drop In.
Should Juniors Start Brainstorming College Essays?
Start a running note on your phone. Whenever something happens that you keep thinking about later, write a sentence or two. It could be a conversation with your grandfather or a shift at work that went sideways. By next summer you'll have a list of real moments to pick from, and our post on choosing a college essay topic explains why small moments often turn into the best essays.
How Can Juniors Stay Organized for the College Process?
Make a college folder in Google Drive and keep everything there: your resume, test scores, campus visit notes, and that essay idea list. Put spring test dates and AP exams on a family calendar so everyone can see what's coming.
Summer is worth thinking about now, since a lot of programs open applications over the winter. Our post on maximizing your summer break has ideas.
Let's Talk
If you have questions, want to learn more, or want Josh and Lisa to help with getting you prepared for your college application process? Schedule a call today and we have you covered!