Every year of high school is important, and your junior year is no exception. As you enter the second half of high school, college begins to feel much closer. The pressure is on to start thinking about where you want to pursue your degree. That, along with other challenges, makes junior year a stressful year for students.<\/p>\n
But, it doesn\u2019t have to be so bad if you go into it with a plan. Here\u2019s the only junior-year-of-high- school checklist you need to ace your penultimate year. You\u2019ve got this!<\/p>\n
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Junior year is a great year to start thinking about where you want to go to college. While you may not be applying for another year, there is a lot you\u2019ll need to do before then. Start researching colleges and make a list of safety schools, target schools, and reach schools. There are so many factors to consider when adding a college to your list. Do you want to go in-state or out-of-state? Is college size important to you? Does the college offer the major you want?<\/p>\n
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Once you have your list of colleges, you can start researching entrance requirements. Understand what placement exams you need to take and how many personal statements you need to write. Make note of application deadlines, and what type of admissions<\/a> the college offers.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n The best way to learn about a college is to hear from college students themselves! Don\u2019t know any college students? Contact the admissions office at a college and ask to speak with current college students. Ask them how they like their college, what their major is, and the classes they\u2019ve enjoyed taking.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n College fairs, whether virtual or in-person, are another great way to find out more about colleges. You can also connect with admissions representatives and learn about the admissions process.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n You may have no clue what you want your job to be after college, and that\u2019s completely normal! But, it doesn\u2019t hurt to start exploring potential careers. The job you want may influence where you decide to go to college and what you major in. If you have no career direction yet, meet with your school advisor. They can help you explore different options.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Shadow professionals in different fields during your junior year. This way, you can see firsthand what a job entails. For example, if you are thinking about a career in medicine, you may shadow a doctor to see if the work interests you.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Start studying for standardized tests as soon as your junior year begins. To prepare for the test, you may choose to take a prep course or get a private tutor. Most students take the test in the spring of their junior year and in the fall of senior year. Registration for the tests is roughly one month before the test date.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Getting an internship or job is a great way to gain experience and boost your resume. Plus, if it\u2019s paid, you can start saving up for college.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Students usually take the PSAT in October of their junior year. Top scores on the test qualify for the National Merit Scholarship<\/a>. Taking the PSAT is also a good way to prepare for the ACT or SAT.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Visiting colleges is one of the best ways to help you make a decision about a college. If you can, visit during the fall or spring semester so you can take advantage of the college being in session. This way, you\u2019ll get a sense of the college\u2019s culture and be able to talk to students about their experience. While you\u2019re visiting colleges, try to talk to admissions staff and professors as well. It\u2019s ideal if you can visit all the colleges on your list and tour the campuses. If you\u2019re not able to visit the college, check if there\u2019s an option to go on a virtual tour.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Although you have three other years to make a good impression, junior year is as important as ever. It won\u2019t look good to colleges if your grades start to slump. It\u2019s possible to improve your grades quickly, but save yourself the stress. It\u2019s much easier to work hard throughout the year and not rush to improve your grades later on. If your study methods have been working for you, keep up the good work! If not, try something new and seek help if you need it.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n If you are not already involved in clubs, sports, or volunteer work, junior year is the time to do so. Colleges want to see well-rounded students. It can be tough to keep up your involvement when you have so many other things going on. Yet, it\u2019s important to show that you have interests outside of academics. It\u2019s also a great way for you to show leadership. You don\u2019t need to be the head of a club. Even helping to plan an event demonstrates leadership qualities.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n If you haven\u2019t done so already, sit down with your parents and talk about the cost of college. Understand what your family\u2019s financial situation looks like. Learn how colleges figure out the cost of attendance and the types of financial aid available to you.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Think you need to wait until your senior year to apply for scholarships? Think again! You can actually apply for scholarships throughout high school and year round. The earlier you start applying, the more chances you’ll have to receive as many scholarships as possible. Look for merit scholarships if you have good grades and need-based scholarships if you have a financial need. You can also look for identity and interest-based scholarships regardless of what your grades are. ScholarshipOwl<\/a> is a great source for private external scholarships. Try it for free by signing up for a free 7-day trial.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Meet with your guidance counselor throughout your junior year to make sure that you\u2019re on track to graduate. They can also help you make sense of college admission requirements and provide you with a copy of your transcript. Ask them about scholarships you can apply for and find out when college reps will visit your school.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n In the winter of your junior year, you\u2019ll need to prepare your senior year class schedule. It\u2019s important that you choose challenging classes and not fall victim to senioritis<\/a>. Colleges still care about your grades senior year. Your guidance counselor can help you choose a schedule that is right for you. If you have a specific major or career in mind, they can also help you choose appropriate classes.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n If you don\u2019t have a resume yet, you should start putting one together. Include work experience, extracurricular involvement, academic accomplishments, awards, and any honors you\u2019ve received. Make sure to update your resume throughout high school, college and beyond. If you aren\u2019t sure where to start, our guide on writing a great resume<\/a> can help you.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Once you start applying for colleges and scholarships, you\u2019ll need to get letters of recommendation from teachers. There\u2019s a good chance that you\u2019ll be asking your junior year teachers for recommendations. Give your teachers a chance to get to know you and your work ethic. Make an effort in their class and work hard to keep up your grades. Ask them for recommendations before the school year ends so that they can work on your letter during summer. Here is how to ask for letters of recommendation<\/a>.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Taking challenging classes will look very impressive when you apply for college. If you are able to pass AP exams with a score of 3 or higher, you may be able to receive college credit from the university you’ll be attending. Some students are able to aggregate enough AP college credits that they are actually able to graduate college early, resulting in significant cost savings<\/a>.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n The summer after your junior year is a good time to start getting your application documents together. This includes academic transcripts, personal statements, and letters of recommendation.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n If you aren\u2019t happy with how you scored on the test the first time, consider retaking the ACT or SAT again in the summer or fall. Spend time preparing and getting the help you need.<\/p>\n <\/p>\nConnect With Current College Students<\/h2>\n
Attend College Fairs<\/h2>\n
Start Thinking About Potential Careers<\/h2>\n
Shadow Workers<\/h2>\n
Prepare for Standardized Tests<\/h2>\n
Find a Summer Internship or Job<\/h2>\n
Take the PSAT<\/h2>\n
Visit Colleges<\/h2>\n
Keep Your Grades Up<\/h2>\n
Get Involved<\/h2>\n
Talk to Your Family About Finances<\/h2>\n
Look for Scholarships<\/h2>\n
Meet With Your Guidance Counselor<\/h2>\n
Plan Senior Year Class Schedule<\/h2>\n
Work on Your Resume<\/h2>\n
Get to Know Your Teachers<\/h2>\n
Take AP Classes and Honors Classes<\/h2>\n
Put Together College Application Materials<\/h2>\n
Retake the ACT or SAT<\/h2>\n
Register With the NCAA<\/h2>\n