By Siena Oliver, ’27

Co-Editor in Chief

As a high school senior facing deadlines for college applications, there are several things I wish I’d done throughout junior year to better prepare myself. Here are some tips to make the process easier, and to stop you from making easily avoidable mistakes!

TERM 1

• Schedule: Everyone knows that junior year is pretty much the hardest year of high school. It’s the year when many students pack their schedules full of APs and extracurriculars to try and bolster their resume. There are both pros and cons to this approach. My suggestion is this: by this point, you know what you like and what you are good at. Maybe you’re involved in a sport, or in the arts, or have a job. Rather than adding new clubs and activities to your already hectic schedule, try to improve on the activities you already have. If you like to draw and already take art classes in school, maybe consider joining the Art Club. If you’re really into volleyball, think about running for captain or another leadership position. Take what you already do and expand on it. This will show colleges that you are invested and hardworking, rather than just trying to pad your resume.
• PSAT: You’ve likely seen the emails in your inbox about registering for the school-run PSAT. You should sit down with a parent and sign up for it. Taking the PSAT is a great way to get used to the SAT format and questions, learn what areas you struggle in, and get a fairly accurate estimate of what your SAT score will be.

TERM 2

• College Tours:  Did you know that juniors are allowed several excused absences for college tours throughout the year? Talk with your parents or friends and try to plan out a few school tours that work for your schedules! If you’re worried about travel during the school year, try and visit some schools nearby. Don’t worry if you don’t have a specific school in mind yet, I’d recommend visiting at least one bigger school and one smaller school so you get a feel for what type of school is right for you.
• SAT/ACT: At this point, I would sign up for your standardized testing. You don’t have to take it this term if you’re unprepared, but the spots are limited, so it’s good to sign up in advance. In addition, do some research about the different options. Many students fail to realize that the ACT is just as accepted in college applications as the SAT. Although similar, the two tests have several differing qualities, and some people may perform better on one than the other. Now is also the time to study. Learn how to use the Desmos calculator, remind yourself of the English grammar conventions you learned in middle school and have since forgotten, and look up tips for how to study. This is not a test you can cram for the night before.

TERM 3

• High School:  In this term, be a high schooler. Do your homework, spend time with friends, start preparing for AP tests, and don’t slack off. By this point, you’re probably getting worn out. I get it, junior year is unimaginably stressful. Try to enjoy yourself, but also remember that colleges will see your junior year grades, and you don’t want to send in a transcript you’re not proud of.
• College List: Start making a list of colleges you might be interested in applying to. You don’t have to decide right now, just research some options and write down any school you might be interested in. A good way to narrow down the search is by taking two extremes and pitting them against each other (e.g. Big/Small, City/Rural, Sporty/Artsy, Party/Academics, etc.). By checking off those few big boxes, you can quickly get a feel for what you’re interested in. Additionally, if you know (or don’t know) what you’d like to major in, that could be a limiting factor to consider. Some schools have great programs you might be interested in for specific majors. However, DO NOT WORRY if you’re not sure what you want to do. There are plenty of schools that let students apply undecided, and many liberal arts colleges require students to wait until their sophomore year before declaring a major.

TERM 4

• Letters of Rec: If you haven’t already, now is definitely the time to ask your teachers for letters of recommendation. The Guidance department sends out a “Junior Reflection Sheet,” which you should fill out and hand to the two teachers you ask to write letters for you. Notice how I said two teachers? You may be tempted to only ask one, because many schools only require one teacher letter. I’d suggest asking two anyway, because some colleges still require it.
• Scholarships: Something you might not be thinking about is applying for scholarships. Some large, merit-based scholarships are only open to applications during junior year. Don’t miss out on these opportunities, especially if you have strong extracurriculars, academic achievements, or consistent community service. With a bit of research on Google, you are sure to find a couple of good options to apply for.

SUMMER

• Common App: At this point, you may be operating under the assumption that you cannot begin filling out your common application until the Common App website re-sets on August 1st. This is untrue. Any information filled in under the “My Common Application” section, can – and should – be filled out before August 1st, to give you a head start before the school year (it will not disappear on August 1st, I promise). Just make sure you don’t start on the specific school applications or supplemental essays quite yet.
• Tours, continued: Keep going on tours of schools. Because it is summer, you might end up having the opportunity to visit some schools that are further away, take advantage of this! 
• College Essay:  Start drafting your Personal Statement essay. This is the college essay everyone talks about. The one where you are supposed to convince colleges you are the right choice in 650 words or less. I won’t lie, it is a daunting task. Start by writing down any and all ideas you have. Think of your favorite activities, a challenge you’ve had to face, a time you had personal growth. What’s the thing you could talk about for hours without getting bored, the book you read as a child that changed your life, or the craziest summer camp you’ve ever been to? Literally any topic can work, as long as you are passionate about it, and it reflects you in some way. Make a couple of drafts about different ideas, have people read them, and, by the end of the summer, pick one you’d like to work on editing for submission.

The college application process is stressful, yes, but you’re almost there. A little over a year and you’ll be hitting the submit button on your applications, and all of your hard work will be worth it. Good Luck!