Spring semester junior year in high school
is a good time to begin more deliberate preparations for college. Many checklists are available online from
College Board, Peterson's and other sources; here are a few recommendations I
would like to make from my experience as a college professor, academic advisor
and independent educational consultant:
--Research possible careers, majors and
colleges using tools on Naviance or other search
--Schedule a family meeting to discuss college
finances, financial aid and scholarships, and an overall timeline for the
college application process.
--Meet with your college counselor at
school to discuss the college application process and make a preliminary list
of schools. Also make sure you and your
counselor discuss your fulfilling A-G requirements for CA universities.
--Make a plan to prepare for and take
standardized tests. It’s a good idea to
take the SAT/ACT twice in order to improve your score. Many counselors recommend taking both tests
once, and then repeating the test you score best on.
--Consider hiring an independent advisor, if you attend a large, public school or
need extra guidance. Ask friends for recommendations or check the
online directory at Higher Education Consultants Association for a list of
local consultants.
--Begin planning summer activities and
employment early. The summer after
junior year is a critical time to gain experience in responsibility and
autonomy as well as earn money to save for college expenses.
--Focus on a strong academic performance
this semester as these are among the most important grades college admissions
staff will evaluate.
--Plan to visit college campuses during
school breaks or summer vacation. Sign
up for tours online ahead of time.
--Begin keeping a list or journal of
possible ideas for application essays.
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