Spring College Planning Resources for Freshmen, Sophomores, and Juniors

Underclassmen and Juniors Should Use This Semester To Dive Into College Admissions Preparation The start of the spring semester marks the halfway point in the school year for many students, and while seniors spent the fall focused on college applications, now is the time for juniors and underclassmen to get a jump-start on the college admissions process. No matter where you are in terms of college preparation, there’s a lot that you can do now to be prepared when it comes time to apply to college. It’s never too early or too late to start planning for college, and there’s a plethora of resources out there to help guide students through the process. So what do freshmen, sophomores, and juniors need to be doing this month to stay on track for admissions? Here’s a breakdown of what students need to be doing now and links to valuable resources to help them get started. Juniors: Start building and refining your balanced college list! Juniors: How to Build Your Balanced College List How to Use College Rankings to Make Decisions Tips for Parents and Students on How to Pick the Right College How to Create a Balanced College List The Truth About Building a Balanced College List 5 Ways to Narrow Down Your College List Best Colleges for STEM, Campus Culture, and More Plan college visits. How to Plan a College Visit How to Prepare for Your College Visits 5 College Visit Tips Juniors - What To Do After You Visit a College Best Colleges to Visit During the Summer What to Ask on Summer Campus Tours Take the SAT or ACT. Tips to Ace the SAT and ACT: Develop an Effective Test-Taking Strategy Spring Standardized Testing: Advice for Sophomores and Juniors Start thinking about recommendation letters. The Truth About Recommendation Letters Selecting Teachers to Write Letters of Recommendation College Recommendation Letter Tips from Freshman to Senior Year Make sure to plan a challenging senior year course load. Choosing the Right Classes: Importance of Course Rigor When Applying to College How College Applications are Evaluated Plan a productive summer. Juniors: How to Make the Most of Your Summer How To Make a Splash This Summer A Summer to Remember: Making the Most of Summers Before College Summer Activity Planning: How to Make the Most of Your Break Sophomores: Begin planning for standardized testing. The Truth About Standardized Tests: How They Affect Your College Application The Truth About SAT and ACT Test Prep Follow your passion! Use reading and activities to hone your interests. The Truth About Outside Reading: Why It's Important and What to Read Developing Your Interests: How to Kickstart Your Own Blog Maintain an upward grade trend. Tips for Students With Bad Grades More than an "A": Strategies for Success in the Classroom and Beyond Grades: How to Identify Problems and When to Ask for Help Stay informed! Keep track of admissions trends and information, follow schools on social media, and subscribe to relevant admissions blogs (like this one!) and publications. Best College Admissions Blogs Building a Well-Rounded Class: Why Colleges Want Specialists College Admissions FAQ QUIZ: Do You Know The Truth About College Admissions? Freshmen: Get involved! Explore activities that meet your interests. If you can’t find one, then crate your own! The Truth About Extracurricular Activities: Going the Extra Mile Tips For Students Interested In STEM Programs Extracurricular Activities: Less is More How to Start Your Own Student Club Make good grades. Colleges look at all four years of grades so if you’re struggling after the fall semester, seek help from teachers and tutors. Grades: How to Identify Problems and When to Ask for Help Explore volunteer opportunities. The Value of Community Service in Your College Application Community Service: Quality v. Quantity For more admissions tips and resources, be sure to subscribe to our monthly newsletter, sign up for blog emails, and follow us on Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest!