Junior year checklist: your college prep guide

College prep ramps up during your junior year of high school. You won’t have to turn in those applications until halfway through your senior year, but now is the time to start getting serious about choosing schools you’re interested in, preparing for standardized tests, and polishing your high school resume. Below, we’ve listed items you should add to your junior year checklist.

From early fall to late spring, these are some tasks you’ll need to do during your junior year of high school.

9 college prep "must-dos" to add to your junior year checklist

1. Take the PSAT

The PSAT is offered to juniors (and sometimes sophomores) in high school during October. While many see it as a “practice SAT” – it does stand for Preliminary Scholastic Aptitude Test or Preliminary SAT, after all – it can be much more, if you take it seriously. It’s also known as the National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test (NMSQT). Students who score high enough will be in the running for a scholarship and recognition from the National Merit Scholarship Corporation (NMSC).

While colleges won’t see your PSAT scores, they will be able to see if you’re recognized as a Scholar or Finalist by the NMSC.

2. Sign up for the ACT/SAT

With the PSAT in your rearview mirror, it’s time for the real deal. You’ll want your first SAT or ACT test date in the spring, with additional exams later in the year. We recommend taking the test more than once to help you meet your goals.

You can’t wing your SAT or ACT. You need to decide which you’re going to take and prepare for them – and the PSAT isn’t enough on its own. The SAT (and ACT) covers more advanced material, and although the ACT has made the science section optional, there are still differences between the two.

Here are a few quick tips:

• Download apps that help you study a little each day.
• Schedule study time each week on each of the different sections.
• Identify your weak and strong areas on either test.
• Create flash cards.
• Take practice exams.
• Find a study buddy.
• Get a tutor.

3. Select your senior classes

Colleges look beyond your grades when reviewing your applications – they often want to know about academic rigor, or how difficult your classes were. By taking more advanced classes, you show schools you’re prepared for college-level coursework. You could even get above a 4.0 weighted GPA with AP and dual-credit classes, while receiving some college credits at a discount!

If you’re not sure what to take, talk to your guidance counselor or academic advisor and keep these tips in mind:

• You don’t want to select all “easy” courses. Although it can be easy to get all A’s in these types of classes, colleges will notice if you phoned it in during your course selection. Take “easy” electives, but sign up for classes that challenge you, too.
• Think about your passions. What electives sound interesting to you? There’s nothing wrong with enjoying a class!
• Consider your hobbies. From cooking to photography and drama to woodworking, high schools tend to offer a wide array of different types of courses available to seniors. You might want to explore something completely new to expand your horizons or take a course that helps you learn life skills.
• List your goals. Are there any classes available that can help you better prepare for college or meet long-term education or career goals?

4. Start your college list

You don’t need a final college list just yet, but it’s a good idea to start at least creating a master list of schools that catch your eye. For example, if a relative suggests a college, add it to the list. At the start of your senior year, you can compare all of your options to narrow it down.

In addition, think about what you want out of college. These questions serve as a starting point:

• Where do you want to go to college?
• What size school will fit you?
• What do you want to major in?
• What are some must haves in your college and the college’s city?
• What is important to you in a college?

When it comes time to narrow down your application list, using the right resources, such as College Match, can help.

5. Visit (or plan to visit) colleges

Spring break and the summer after junior year are the perfect opportunities to visit college campuses. Official tours and less formal visits help you determine if you can visualize yourself at the school. Plus, if you only review colleges online, you’re only seeing what they want you to see. By visiting in person, you’ll be able to see much more of the campus and even have the chance to ask current students questions.

However, for many students, it's more economically feasible to wait to visit colleges until after you've received an acceptance letter, especially if the schools are far away. If traveling is too expensive, at least take the virtual tour and see what others are saying about their experiences online.

6. Attend college fairs

You’ll often find college fairs at high schools, colleges, and organizations throughout the fall. Attending these can help you explore schools you’ve never heard of, discover new majors, ask representatives questions, and learn more about going to college in general. Try to go to them this year and during your senior year – some schools may only show up one year.

7. Get involved

Colleges want to see well-rounded and active applicants. Participating in extracurriculars is a perfect way to pursue your passions, learn new skills, and highlight your interests to schools. Leadership positions look particularly well on college applications. Volunteer work also shows you’re involved in your community and willing to go the extra mile.

However, this doesn’t mean you should sign up for any and all clubs and volunteer positions you come across. It’s about quality rather than quantity. Devote yourself to a handful of extracurriculars and volunteer work that fit you to show commitment to causes and interests most important to you.

8. Explore majors and careers

You don’t technically have to declare your major until the end of your sophomore year of college in most cases, but having an idea of what you’d like to study and do after graduation can help you now.

These tips can help you explore your options:

• Consider your passions, strengths, and weaknesses. What subjects do you thoroughly enjoy and could see yourself making a career out of? Are there any weaknesses you have that could hold you back from certain positions?
• Keep a running list. As you consider potential careers and majors, write them down. Talk to family and friends about their thoughts. You might come across unique areas of study you never heard of before.
• Research potential careers and common majors. It’s not always clear what the best major for a particular career is. Investigate what majors those currently in your dream role studied – it may be different than you expected.
• Shadow employees. In many cases, a student’s idea about a career doesn’t match up to reality. Work with a local organization to shadow an employee, to get a true idea of what they do during their day to day.

As you build out your list of potential majors and careers, compare them. Our Major Search tool allows you to explore various areas of study and find the top schools that offer related programs. In addition, our Career Finder makes it easy to view median salaries, projected growth, and common responsibilities for hundreds of different jobs.

9. Think about paying for college

College is expensive. Here are some ways juniors in high school can start planning for the cost:

• Talk with your parents. Your parents may have some savings put aside for your education, but you’ll likely have to pay some out of pocket or with financial aid. Work with them to create a realistic budget and long-term financial plan for your college tuition.
• Explore scholarships. Most college scholarships are for graduating high school seniors, but some are for juniors, too. Scholarship databases help you explore awards you qualify for. Even if you can’t apply to them just yet, many scholarships are offered again the following year. Start creating a list of awards to make applying to them next year easier.
• Open a bank account. If you haven’t already, open a savings or checking account with a bank or credit union. You’ll need one during college.
• Apply for jobs. There are several employers who offer jobs to high school juniors. Working now can help you put aside money (in your new savings or checking account) for your college costs.

While your college applications aren’t due until the fall and winter of your senior year, think seriously about college and your future during your junior year. From creating your college list to taking your SAT or ACT for the first time, there’s a lot to tackle in the coming months. Getting a head start now will help increase your chances of getting an acceptance letter to your dream school, too!

Not sure where you want to attend college? Not sure where to start? College Raptor’s College Match resource helps you discover schools that meet your needs, wants, and academic goals. It’s completely free, too.