Dream School Bound: Junior Year Application Blueprint

It’s officially the year of college applications for high school juniors. With it can come a mixture of excitement, anxiousness, and a ton of questions with many students wondering if they’ve done enough and what they can do to prepare. Whether you’re dreaming of Stanford, the University of California, Los Angeles or more, getting started now with a few strategic moves can make the process much more achievable to reach your dream school.

Prioritize grades, standardized tests, and upwards trends

Grades and SATs are probably the most discussed college admissions variable within the high school community and many students stress over achieving the perfect 4.0 and 1600. While universities prioritize academic achievement, above all else, they value upwards trends and intellectual vitality. So, if you earned a C in AP Calculus BC first semester, prioritize raising that grade the second semester. If you’ve been doing well, continue the great work.

But aside from studying, what else does prioritizing grades and standardized tests look like? This includes being active in your academic spaces and contributing to them. Think along the lines of: relating current events to trends you notice in your U.S. government course, and starting a study group where you teach your classmates creative methods to solving difficult calculus problems. If a time comes, where you are having difficulty prioritizing all your activities with the SAT and AP exams, consider creating a set study schedule to make sure you fit every goal you have in mind. When AP season comes around, prioritize studying for the AP exams over the SAT until exams are over. Find that balance and work towards improving.

Engage in standout summer activities

This summer is arguably the most important time for students who want to increase their admissions chances. Why? It’s the most free time students generally have before writing and submitting their college applications. So what’s missing from their applications, and what can they do? Engage in activities that are meaningful to you and truly make an impact.

Take on leadership roles and make an impact on your community

Universities prioritize leadership and impact. Colleges like Yale and MIT ask about student impact on their community, so it’s a good time for you to step up and lead a community-wide event to make sure you can talk about it on college applications. But more than just leading events for the sake of applications, we highly recommend you think deeply about what kind of impact you want to have and if that aligns with your personal goals. It’s best to find meaning in your work and act upon it.

Bond with your mentors

Your school counselors, teachers, and adults outside of school are your mentors. They’ll be the people you ask your letter of recommendations from, and they’re also the people that can have the most meaningful conversations with. Don’t be afraid to initiate conversations. Maybe you’ll learn something about them or yourself in the process that will be truly inspiring.

Visit universities and refine your college list

From now until your next break are perfect times to chat with university professors and students. Students tend to be caught up in the monotony of school and forget to see what’s truly out there. Sign up for college on-campus and virtual tours and bask in the sun on the campus glades while soaking in the vibes of the school. This is a great time to catch a glimpse of what the genuine college experience is like (summers tend to be busy with pre-college programs and many students out on break). Along the way, refine your college list to prioritize the schools you envision yourself actually attending.