Junior year of high school is make-or-break when it comes to college planning. While senior year is when applications are officially submitted, the groundwork laid in 11th grade determines whether students have strong options or scramble to catch up. Waiting until fall of senior year to start thinking about college is a mistake—by then, opportunities for strategic applications, merit scholarships, and strong recommendations may have already slipped away.
The time to act is now. Before summer arrives and teachers, counselors, and admissions officers go into “summer mode,” students should check these key tasks off their lists to maximize their chances of getting into and affording the right college.
1. Career Exploration: Defining the Path Before Choosing the Destination
Many students approach the college search backward—they pick a school before considering what they want to study. Junior year is the time to explore potential careers and fields of study. Whether through job shadowing, career assessments, or informational interviews with professionals, students should gain clarity on their interests. This helps refine the college list, ensuring the schools they apply to align with their goals.
2. Building an Optimized College List
There are over 4,000 colleges and universities in the U.S.—finding the right fit isn’t just about name recognition. A well-balanced college list should include reach, target, and safety schools, all of which offer a combination of strong academic programs, financial viability, and a desirable campus experience. By finalizing a list before summer, students can prepare for application requirements, including essays and deadlines.
3. College Visits: See It Before You Believe It
Many students “fall in love” with a college based on a website or reputation, only to visit and realize it’s not the right environment. Spring of junior year is the best time to tour campuses while students are still on-site. Summer visits, while still useful, don’t provide the full picture. Seeing a college in action—walking through the dining halls, sitting in on a class, or chatting with current students—can make or break a decision.
4. Crafting a Standout Activities Resume
The Common App and most college applications require a list of extracurricular activities, leadership roles, and achievements. Junior year is the perfect time to take stock of accomplishments and fill in any gaps. Whether it’s securing a leadership position, launching a passion project, or deepening involvement in a key activity, now is the moment to enhance the student’s resume.
5. Requesting Letters of Recommendation Early
Teachers write dozens of recommendation letters each fall, and by the time senior year rolls around, many of them are overcommitted. Students who ask before summer break—while they’re still fresh in a teacher’s mind—are more likely to get detailed, enthusiastic letters. Ideally, students should approach teachers from their core academic subjects who know them well and can speak to their strengths beyond just grades. We also suggest to our students a three step method for requesting letters in a way that provides teachers with context about your activities outside of the classroom so that they can write a more thoughtful and personalized recommendation.
Why Expert Guidance Makes All the Difference
Each of these steps can be tackled independently, but navigating them strategically can feel overwhelming. That’s where working with a counselor or consultant adds incredible value. With thousands of colleges to choose from, families need more than Google searches to find the right fit academically, socially, and financially. An experienced consultant helps students:
Identify colleges where they’ll thrive and be competitive for scholarships
Understand the nuances of different applications and maximize opportunities
Develop a strong personal brand through essays, activities, and recommendations
The Final Decision: Cost, Distance, and Vibe
At the end of the day, where a student enrolls usually comes down to three factors:
Cost: Can the family afford it, and what scholarships or aid are available?
Distance: Is it close to home, or is the student ready for a new adventure?
Vibe: Does it feel right—socially, academically, and culturally?
By starting early, students can expand their options and avoid the stress of last-minute applications. More importantly, they can set themselves up for the best possible financial and personal fit.
Take Action Now: Secure Your College Future
The class of 2025 is already seeing success! Our students have earned acceptances at top institutions, including Villanova, Northeastern, the University of California system, and UPenn. In past years, we’ve helped students gain admission to Columbia, Yale, UVA, and many more.
Don’t wait until senior year to start the process. Purchase our College Planning Workbook online to guide you through every step including templates for building a resume and creating a college list. The workbook includes exercises to help you find your college and career fit with tons of tips to develop an application theme and strategy. Or, schedule a free Zoom consultation to build a personalized strategy for success.
The right college is out there—let’s find it together.
Book your first free career or college planning session today!
Donna Baines
Baines College Consulting, LLC
Donna has 20 years of college admissions and financial aid experience. She has helped thousands of high school students all over the United States with their college and career goals.
www.collegehelp.me