Do’s and Don’ts for High School Juniors 

Once you’ve decided that college is for you, there’s a lot to do before you can start writing essays, requesting letters of recommendation, and filling out the Common Application.  There are some common pitfalls to avoid, too.

Here are some do’s and don’ts for high school juniors considering college after high school graduation.

DO think about your goals

If you’re reading this blog post, you’ve likely decided that you want to go to college. But that’s just the first decision in this process. Take some time during junior year to think about your goals and priorities.

And don’t worry! No one has it all figured out before they get to college. In fact, more than a third of students change their major within the first three years of college, and many change it more than once.

However, college demands a big time and financial commitment. Knowing what you want from the experience will help you make the most of it (and hopefully zero in on a possible career path sooner rather than later). Think over the classes you’ve taken in high school. Which excited you? Which felt like a chore?

Reflecting now in 11th grade will pay off next year when you’re applying to colleges. Even if you already know what you want to study, thinking about your personal goals and priorities will help you find a college that fits you.

Another bonus of thinking ahead? Many college essays ask you to talk about what you hope to do with your degree or what you like about their program. Having a clear understanding of your goals now will help you articulate them later.

DO get involved and take on leadership roles

If you haven’t gotten involved in sports or extracurricular activities, start now. Find activities that bring you joy and define you beyond your grades and test scores.

If you already participate in extracurriculars, great! Seek out leadership opportunities to strengthen your commitment and show colleges your dedication and responsibility. Whether you’re a team captain, club president, or editor at the school newspaper, assuming a leadership role can be deeply fulfilling — and give your resume a boost.

Worried about leadership positions taking time away from doing a little bit of everything? According to the Princeton Review, quality over quantity rings true when it comes to extracurriculars. There’s no magic number of activities that will get you into your dream school. What matters is your commitment to the activities you do, regardless of number.

DO start planning college financials

Figuring out what works for your family will take time and research, so a family conversation about finances is worth the discomfort.

Start exploring scholarship opportunities and apply now if you’re eligible — some accept submissions from high school juniors. Research approaches to paying for college and what programs you might qualify for, like loans, grants, and work-study.

DO stay organized

Good organizational habits never go to waste!

Keep track of your activities and leadership positions and any activity’s start and end dates. Your college application ask for this information, so having a ready-to-go list organized in one place will streamline the process later on.

DO lots of college research

Identifying your reach, target, and safety schools before you start applying will lighten your workload during college application season.

Don’t know how to start? Try these tips:

• Make a list of the criteria that matter most to you
• Join mailing lists for schools you’re interested in
• Attend college fairs
• Visit college campuses and take tours

DON’T lighten your course load

There’s a reason everyone says junior year is the hardest year of high school. Your grades from senior year won’t be finalized until after college decisions are made. So, your junior year transcript is the most recent full picture of your academics that college admissions officers will see.

By that logic, it would be best to take easy classes to boost your GPA, right? Wrong. College admissions officers want to see that you push yourself academically and take challenging courses. Absolutely strive for stellar grades, but don’t shy away from a rigorous course load because you’re worried about your GPA.

DON’T forget about the summer

High school juniors have many college prep strategies to maximize the summer season. Take a summer program or shadow a professional in a field of interest. Get a summer job to earn money for college, or volunteer within your community or even abroad.

Don’t forget to build in time to relax. Using the summer to learn a new hobby or read the book you couldn’t get to during the school year is not a waste of time. Taking some time to yourself will recharge you before your senior year.

DON’T ignore standardized tests

Great standardized test scores can significantly boost your chances for acceptance in competitive schools, even if your GPA is lower. Whether you study independently or use a test prep service, don’t go into the SAT unprepared.

Research the types of questions on the test, read through some test prep tips, create a study plan, and stick to it!

DON’T try to do it all alone

One of the biggest mistakes in the college research and application process? Trying to manage the whole thing alone. Talk to your parents, talk to your counselor — talk to your friends in the same boat.

Junior year is a crucial time for high schoolers planning on college. Your family, friends, teachers, and counselors know your goals and want to help you. You’ll feel much less overwhelmed and stressed throughout your senior year (and the college application process) if you let them.