Things Juniors Should Know

As a soon to be graduating senior in high school who has gone through the college application process, there are many things I wish someone would have told me during my junior year. So, I have put together ten pieces of advice that are vital to a successful and less stressful college application experience. Junior year is an important year to begin the college process. Instead of being stressed out senior year, take this advice and get ahead of the game and begin planning and doing these things now!

1. Get yourself an appropriate email address! Colleges will be asking for your email address to send you important information-packed emails and you do not want your email address to be “MoneyswagStealYourGirl@gmail.com.” At this point you need colleges to take you seriously. Consider getting a more professional sounding email address. This new email address will be the one you put on college applications and for other important notifications as well. Please don’t embarrass yourself because you will be judged on your email address. Get rid of the one you made when you were ten and get a new “more adult” one.

2. College deadlines will come super fast! So make sure you know your college deadlines. In fact, many deadlines for a normal admission decision are in December, meaning you have to submit your college application by then. Early decision deadlines are even sooner (November). There are also other deadlines to worry about as well such as credentials that will be sent to the college of your choice. Your transcript, SAT scores, ACT scores, references, etc…will all have there own deadline. Just make sure you know what you need and when it is all due. Get it all sent in ahead of time so you don’t have to rush.

3. Take the ACT and/or SAT your junior year! You do not want to be rushing around during your senior year trying to take your test of choice when you have deadlines coming up left and right. You have to be able to take the test and have the scores calculated and sent to your college by a certain time. It would be great if you already had them and could avoid the pressure and feeling of being rushed. So go ahead and pick out when you want to test and try your best on it. Make sure your test is well in advance to when your credentials are due to your college.

4. Do the best you can especially this year! If you didn’t try your hardest in the years before, try now. Colleges look at your junior year. Sure they also look at your senior year, but for the most part they only have your junior year to go off of until the end of the year when they get your final transcript. Keep your GPA up because all colleges look at your GPA. Show them the best "you".

5. Decide what colleges you want to apply to this year! Do not try to figure out where you want to apply senior year. You have time now or even in the summer to go online and look at college sites, to tour campuses, and to figure out what you want to do for your major. When you do decide what colleges you like apply to several. Give yourself options. Apply to all of your dream schools even if you aren’t sure you could get in, because you just might. You will never know unless you try.

6. It is okay if you do not know what you want to major in but try to decide this year! Try to figure out what you may want to do with the rest of your life. Do you want to be a lawyer? A psychiatrist? A teacher? An engineer? What is YOUR dream? Even if you do not know yet you should still apply to college and go in as “undeclared” if you aren’t sure by time you have to apply. Many people choose this option when they aren’t sure what they want to be. Take your time deciding if you do not have it figured out yet, but go ahead and start getting those basic classes you have to take anyways out of the way.

7. If you aren’t involved with extracurriculars already then get involved! Colleges love seeing students who are well rounded and have activities other than school under their belt. Volunteer your time somewhere that matters to you. The local animal shelter, a nursing home, or a soup kitchen are great places to start if you haven’t started yet. Clubs also count as extracurricular activities. Try joining a club here at the school this year or at the start of next year so that you can put it on your college application. There are many clubs to choose from such as HOSA, Spanish Club, The Environmental Club, and if you’re qualified NHS. These activities fill in your application and can only make you look better.

8. Start the search for scholarships at the end of this year! The more financial aid you can receive the better. Tuition cost can range from college to college, but no matter how much it cost it would be better if it wouldn’t cost you anything. If all you have to do for a scholarship is write an essay then write that essay and help yourself out! Remember, scholarships have deadlines too so keep up with them. Going to college can be stressful and expensive, but it doesn’t have to be. Get those scholarships because debt is a real thing. Make college easier for you.

9. Go ahead and request those letters of recommendation from your teachers! The truth is you will need those letters when you are applying to college. You need someone who can speak on your character and work ethic. You do not want to rush your already busy teachers into writing a letter of recommendation a week before it is due. Give the teachers time, that will ensure you get the best letter you can get.

10. Do not be afraid to ask for help or advice! Trust me, you will need help at some point. Teachers, guidance counselors, and even other students can help you. Let other upperclassmen and teachers proofread your college essays. Go to the guidance counselor for help on the application itself. If you feel you need advice or help then go to someone. All of the teachers have been through the college experience. Ask them about it. Ask about classes, advice, dorms, professors, events, sports, roommates, etc... Soak all the information in so that you can have an advantage. Nearly everyone in this building would be happy to help you. It is stressful at times but not if you have people around to help you start the new chapter of your life and you do!