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College Prep for Juniors

Are you in your junior year of high school yet? Here’s some guidance from College Connections, LLC on how to succeed in–and even enjoy–this potentially hectic year!

It’s best for juniors to start their college prep early. There are so many details to consider. If juniors plan properly, they may even enjoy the process. In addition to the tips below, visit our blog here.

Do become familiar with a personal calendar in the new semester and jot these reminders down:

    1. Start and continue prepping for your standardized testing – SAT I/Subject Tests (SAT II’s), ACT with writing exams and create a calendar of testing dates and registration deadlines. Aim to complete all of your testing by the end of your junior year, but understand that senior year offers more test date opportunities if need be.
     
    2. Juniors should keep their grades up in all of their classes. Colleges like to see an upward trend and junior year grades are extremely important. Your challenging curriculum and the rigor of your program is vital as well. So challenge yourself and take some harder courses.
     
    3. If you are taking Advanced Placement courses, learn about the AP exams as the College Board administers these in May.
     
    4. Check in with your high school counselor regularly. The counselor will be writing college recommendations for you and the better they know you, the stronger they can make their recommendations.
     
    5. Juniors should continue working on their resume/activities list. This is a work in progress that juniors will add to prior to the submission of applications. The final draft will be used to give to those writing recommendations and will also assist in completing college applications.
     
    6. Check at your school to see when their college night or college fair is scheduled. Parents should attend as well, if possible. This is an opportunity to meet college representatives from around the country. Contact us for additional information and to get your FREE grade level timeline.
     
    7. It is not too soon to start thinking about summer programs or activities now. Many summer programs juniors might want to enroll in begin filling up b and require specific applications. Juniors may also be visiting colleges, writing essays, and updating resumes in the summer as well.
     
    8. For some students, a community college course is a good time to sample real college life by taking a course in something in which they are genuinely interested. A student may also need to make up for a lower grade in a specific course. Learn what colleges are in your area and what courses will be available.
     
    9. Begin to plan any college visits. Many colleges let you sign up for information tours online. Get on college mailing lists if you intend to apply to that college.

As spring approaches, juniors have a wonderful opportunity to get a jump-start on their college prep. With good time management the college process can be informative and pleasurable.

You can get more college prep tips from Jeannie at CollegeConnections.com, and can follow College Connections, LLC on Facebook, Google+, and Twitter.
 

Author bio: Jeannie Borin, M.Ed., stems from New York City and is a Juilliard School of Music alumnus. She obtained her Bachelors and Masters Degrees at UCLA in psychology, education and counseling and founded College Connections , LLC in 2003. Jeannie has been featured in Time, The Wall Street Journal and LA Magazine and on CNN, Fox, MSNBC, ABC and CBS News. Jeannie writes regularly for numerous publications and CBS Money Watch named her number one college advisor to follow on Twitter. She is a professional member of several prestigious educational organizations. Jeannie is recognized by media, clientele and colleagues globally as a leader in college admissions consulting and new media. She is happily married with two grown sons and lives in Los Angeles.
 

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