College Admissions Help Blog

Ask Admissions Girl: I am an upcoming junior, is there anything I can do to alleviate the senior burden?

It’s never too early to start planning! If you are a junior, sophomore or even a freshman there are ways to prepare before senior year.  Making college decisions can be stressful and as written in my last post there is a lot to do senior year, so it is best to be organized.  Alleviate or ease the “burden” senior year by starting early, and continually researching and applying yourself.

Gather as much information as you can about colleges, loans and scholarships, and you can make an educated decisions when the time comes without the stress.  We offer a helpful high school timeline and links here: How to Plan for College.

Below is another planning guide that can be used throughout high school to help make the college search and application process more manageable:

1: Start with research:

• Consider possible career options and investigate the type of education that is needed.
• Request materials from schools that interest you and visit their websites to read reviews and requirements.
• Arrange campus visits to those schools that interest you.
• Look at scholarship options and ways you can work to obtain one or more.
• Understand the loan process, look at requirements and provisions from federal loans versus private loans.
• Talk with upper classman, older siblings or college grads you know. Ask what to expect, and if they have advice. Find someone to support and mentor you through the process at school, through a friend or at home.

2: Organize yourself for success:

• Take the PSAT to prepare for the SAT, and to identify areas where you need improvement. Look for test-prep tools online or your local book store for help.
• Register for and take the ACT and/or SAT in the spring of Junior year.
• Make sure you are meeting your high school graduation requirements, and stay focused on your schoolwork.
• Sign up for classes for Senior year that support and represent your interests.
• Start saving to pay for test and application fees as well as tuitions.

3: Show schools what you are all about:

• Participate in extracurricular activities or volunteer locally.
• Explore your interests and gain experience by getting a job, internship or apprenticeship.
• Continue building relationships with teachers, managers and coaches that can eventually write a letter of recommendation for you.