Now is the time for Juniors to start finalizing their college plans. Here are 5 ways Juniors can plan for college during their summer break.
- Lock Down Your List
Whether you’ve known since the fifth grade that you’re going to apply to Stanford, or still can’t tell the difference between one engineering program and another, the time has come to finalize the list of schools you’re going to apply to in the fall. The deadlines for applications creep up on you faster than you think and procrastinating to the last minute to find out details about a specific university’s admissions process or financial aid is something do not need to do. So lock down the list you have started to a range of safety, target and reach schools, and move on.
2. Make Additional Campus Visits
A campus visit to a university can either make or break the decision to apply. What a university looks like on its websites and brochures tells you nothing about the vibe of the campus, the outlook of the students who attend and do not offer actual people to interact with and to ask the tough questions. Once you have locked down your final list of colleges, use the summer to make a second trip to your favorite schools.
3. Research the Essay Prompts
The admissions essay is the part of the application where you can brag a bit of yourself, give the admissions officers another side of your personality aside from the resume, and have the chance to convey why not only you would be a good fit for the university you are applying to, but why that university would be a good fit for you. Even though it is summer break, waiting until the day before the deadline to crank out an admissions essay is not the way to go to produce a quality, well written essay. So, even though you don’t have to start putting pen to paper just yet, now is the time to start reviewing possible essay questions. Some universities have prompts specific to them that you must answer, so do your research and start getting brainstorming ideas early in order to avoid last-minute writer’s block. If you’re using the Common Application, you can also familiarize yourself with their essay prompts.
4. Decide on Writers for Letter of Recommendations
As the prospective student, you are not the only person having to write to universities on your behalf! Letters of recommendation are a way to let the admissions officers verify what they see on other pieces in your application packet and provide a different perspective on you as a student. Generally a minimum of two letters of recommendation are required at most universities, but you must review each universities requirements as some programs within the university may require additional letters of recommendation. Teachers you’ve had most recently in the subject of your potential major (i.e., your Honors Calculus teacher if you’re applying to an engineering program) should be considered as primary sources, but coaches, pastors, and other adults you have close working relationships with may also be possible letter writers as character references. Devise a list of around 3-4 people you’ll be prepared to ask during late spring of Junior year.
5. Organize Deadlines and Create a Plan
With so many things to get ready for in the fall, you need a plan to chart out exactly when in the fall they actually have to happen. It can seem like every university you are applying to has a different deadline. Stay on top of dates and stay organized, and start to form a plan of when things need to be accomplished so they can be submitted on time. While it may sound over the top, you should create spreadsheet or chart to manage your deadlines and tasks to be completed. This will help eliminate stress when you return in the fall.
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