So you are ready to start your junior year of high school, and it may feel somewhat anti climactic to the excitement of the freshman year and the boldness of the senior year. However, it could be said that the junior year is the most important year when it comes to the decisions you may make for your college and career choices.
First of all, remember that “king” in the admissions process is rigor of classes and grades. So take the most rigorous schedule you can handle, and get the best grades possible. Remember that your junior grades are the last ones the college will see when making their admissions decisions.
Although there is some disagreement on the value of standardized test scores (SAT/ACT) being used for admissions purposes, there is consensus that the scores are used extensively for merit scholarship decisions. At a recent college planning conference I attended, the Dean of Admissions at UCLA explained that although they don’t really like using test scores for admission purposes, they do resort to the scores to quickly narrow their applicant pool. With over 100,000 qualified applicants you can certainly understand their reasoning. Many students spend considerable time preparing for these tests, so keep that in mind as you plan your test schedule. With the new SAT being launched this year, we recommend sticking to the ACT until the SAT is “figured out”. Colleges accept either test. Take the test early (February or April), study throughout the summer, and retake in September. If you really want to take the SAT, stick with the old test only. The last administration of the old SAT will be in January. Oh by the way, if you are aiming for National Merit Scholarship recognition, take the PSAT in October of your junior year.
The junior year is the time to begin your college plan. Start communicating with colleges you are interested in. Begin to make a college list of 10-15 colleges. Include, public, private, in state and out of state if funding is important in your search. You will begin to receive mail/email from many colleges. Make a new email address that you will use for all of your college communications. Choose something professional. Stay away from things like “ilovemom@gmail.com, or jockking@yahoo.com-get the picture? Use your new, professional address for all college communication, including test registration, and get into the habit of checking it at least once a week.
Start to develop a resume and be sure you continue to participate in your favorite extracurricular activities. Volunteer or work in a similar activity if possible. The colleges want to see depth in your passion rather than a collage of activities with no depth.
This is also a good time to begin thinking about a major in college. If you can do a personality assessment to evaluate your interests and aptitudes, that might help you narrow down a direction to pursue.
Parent Alert! January of the junior year begins what is called “the base year” for financial aid. (Starting in 2016 the base year begins in January of the sophomore year). Figure out your Expected Family Contribution (EFC) and determine if there is anything that can be done to lower the amount the college will expect you to pay.
College is just around the corner. Do your research. Be prepared. Reduce stress by starting now. Set your goals high. As Fridtjof Nansen so aptly put it, “The difficult is what takes a little time; the impossible is what takes a little longer.”
