For Juniors: APs Are Over (Yay!) — Next Up… College Application Prep

AP exams are over! Yay and Bravo! Take a well deserved break. Then, when you feel recharged, here is what to focus on next as you prepare to apply to college later this year.

1 Research colleges — and what they'll actually cost you

Now is the perfect time to build your college list with intention. Go beyond rankings and think about fit: size, location, campus culture, available programs, and outcomes for students like you. Be sure to balance your list! Creating a list of only highly competitive colleges is beyond risky, so balance your list with colleges that you know you will get into. There are so many excellent colleges out there, and lots of them don’t make the headlines. Equally critical— dig into the financial picture. Look up each school's net price calculator, compare average aid packages, and understand the difference between scholarships, grants, and loans. Start these conversations with your family now, while you still have plenty of time to make strategic choices.

2 Explore majors — and make sure they're the right fit

Sometimes students list a major on applications without having truly explored whether it's a genuine match for their interests and strengths. For example, you should not select Computer Science as your major if you have not taken any CS classes in high school! Make sure your high school course selection supports your chosen major. Then, evaluate your extracurriculars. Do you have an activity that you can connect to your major? If not, this summer is an excellent time to demonstrate your fit-to-major. You can shadow a professional, take a free online course, get a job related to your major or try for an internship at a local company. Strong applications show self-awareness and intentionality — and admissions officers will look for connections between your activities and your academic interests. And if you're undecided, that's totally okay, just be able to demonstrate your curiosity.

3 Ask for letters of recommendation — before summer

Depending on your college list, you might need letters of recommendation (some schools require one or two, while some colleges require none). If you think you will need letters, I recommend that you ask before school lets out. Right now, your current teachers have fresh memories of you, and asking them while classes are still in session — rather than emailing a request in August — shows respect for their time and may increase the quality of the letter you'll receive. Choose recommenders who know you well and can speak to your growth, curiosity, and character. Ask them in person or by email. Once they say yes, you can add them into your Naviance or Maya account. If your school does not use software like Naviance, give them a copy of your transcript and a "brag sheet" or résumé with your highlights, activities, and what you're hoping to convey in your applications.

Bonus resource!

Get ahead with My Best College Planner, a step-by-step guidebook and calendar for college applications

Looking for a clear, organized game plan for working on your college applications? My My Best College Planner, a college application guide & calendar, walks you through every step of the process, month by month, all the way through December of this year. It's the most organized you'll ever be during the most important application season of your life. Check out My Best College Planner on Amazon!