Junior College Counseling Blog | The Dunham School | Private PreK-12 | Baton Rouge, LA

Junior Year: Kicking Off Your College Search & Test Prep

For college-bound students, junior year is widely considered the most crucial year of high school. Why? Because it's your last full year of academic performance and extracurricular involvement that colleges will see before you hit "submit" on those applications.

The grades you earn, the courses you take, and the way you spend your time this year will put the finishing touches on your file for admissions committees. A strong junior year can significantly boost your college placement, opening doors to more selective universities and potentially more scholarship opportunities.

Here's how to kick off your junior year strong, focusing on the college search and standardized test preparation:

Academics: The Core of Your Application

Your junior year transcript is often the most complete academic record colleges will see when making early decisions.

• Challenge Yourself: Continue taking the most rigorous courses you can handle – Advanced Placement (AP), or honors classes. This demonstrates your ability to succeed in challenging college-level coursework.
• Maintain Strong Grades: This should be your top priority. Keep your GPA as high as possible. Colleges look for consistency and an upward trend in your academic performance.
• Show Your Interests: Choose electives that align with potential majors or genuine interests. A strong performance in subjects you're passionate about can highlight your intellectual curiosity.

Kicking Off Your College Search: Find Your Fit

• Self-Reflection First: Before you even look at a college website, think about what you want.

1. What size school do you prefer (small, medium, large)?
2. What kind of environment (urban, suburban, rural)?
3. What academic programs or majors genuinely excite you?
4. How far from home do you want to be?
5. What's your budget, and what kind of financial aid might you need?

• Research, Research, Research:

1. Online Tools: Use college search engines (like BigFuture by College Board and Princeton Review) to filter by your preferences. TIP: Start with your Naviance account. SuperMatch College Search is a great search tool to help you identify potential schools.
2. College Websites: Dive deep into the academic programs, student life, and admissions requirements of schools that pique your interest.
3. Virtual and In-Person Tours: Take advantage of virtual tours. If possible, visit nearby campuses – even if they're not your top choices – to get a feel for different college environments.
4. Talk to People: Speak with your school counselor, teachers, recent graduates, and family members about their college experiences and insights.

• Start Your List: In your Naviance account, begin to build a preliminary list of "reach" schools (challenging to get into), "target" schools (good chance of admission), and "safety" schools (highly likely to get in and you'd be happy to attend).

Standardized Test Preparation: Your Strategy Starts Now

For many colleges, the SAT or ACT remains an important component of your application, even with the rise of "test-optional" policies.

• Decide Your Test: Take a full-length practice test for both the SAT and ACT. Compare your scores and see which test format feels more comfortable and aligns better with your strengths. This helps you decide which test to focus on.
• Create a Study Plan: Once you've chosen your test, develop a realistic study schedule. Utilize free resources like Khan Academy (for SAT) or ACT Academy. Consider prep books, online courses, or even a tutor if needed.
• Target Your First Official Test: Many juniors aim to take their first official SAT or ACT in the spring semester of junior year (e.g., March, April, or May). This gives you time to study and leaves open the option for a retake in the fall of your senior year if you want to improve your score. Check test dates and registration deadlines well in advance!
• PSAT (Fall of Junior Year): As a Dunham junior, you will take the PSAT/NMSQT in October. It's great practice for the SAT and can qualify you for the National Merit Scholarship Program.

Cultivate Relationships & Extracurriculars

• Teacher Recommendations: Build strong relationships with your junior-year teachers. These are often the ones who will write your letters of recommendation, so engage in class, ask questions, and participate thoughtfully.
• Deepen Extracurricular Involvement: Continue your involvement in clubs, sports, volunteering, or work. Colleges value sustained commitment and leadership. Junior year is an excellent time to take on more significant roles or start a new project that demonstrates initiative.

Junior year is a marathon, not a sprint. By staying organized, challenging yourself academically, proactively researching colleges, and strategically preparing for standardized tests, you'll set yourself up for a less stressful and more successful college application season next year. You've got this