High School Junior Year: Things to Remember

Junior year is the busiest and the most important year in high school. A year of self-discovery, this year plays a significant role in strengthening students’ college applications. Junior high focuses on both academics and extra-curricular activities as it is the last full year of high school that the admission committees pay close attention to while making admission decisions. Thus, keeping a comprehensive checklist is a good idea to not just survive this demanding yet vital year but also thrive at it and take the edge off stress in the senior year of high school.

Five points to remember as a junior high school student.

A checklist to help you approach your junior year in high school with clarity and increase your chances of success in the college admissions process.

1. Achieve an excellent cumulative GPA- A cumulative GPA gives an advantage to the students who couldn’t perform well in grade 9 but gave their best shot in their sophomore and high school junior years. An upward trend in the GPA gives colleges a peek into the student’s academic growth. That is why it is important to score the best you can during grades 9th, 10th, and 11th.
2. Enroll yourself in rigorous classes- If you are easily getting A’s in your current course work, challenge yourself to take up honors or advanced-placement courses or in subjects that are academically rigorous. Further, spend some time with your favorite teacher to help them get to know you better as they would be required to write your recommendation letters.
3. Take Standardized Tests- If you have not already taken an SAT or ACT, junior high is the right time to prepare for and take one or both tests. These are used by the admission committee to make admission-related decisions or decide your scholarships/financial aid. If you have already taken these tests, you can work on improving your scores.
4. Shortlist colleges and career options –Junior year in high school is a great time to check the universities’ websites and learn about their major and minors, ranking, placement, etc. Utilize this time in visiting college fairs or meeting college representatives and shortlist 10 to 15 colleges by the end of your junior year. Additionally, run preliminary research on the career options you want to explore and try narrowing them down.
5. Participate in clubs and student organizations- The best way to get ahead of the game is to enroll yourself in extra-curricular activities. Become a member of the clubs that your schools offer, start your own club to foster a love for a specific activity or sport, and volunteer at a local NGO.
6. Develop a portfolio- Lastly, start documenting your accomplishments and work. To start with, brainstorm the major components like academic and non-academic accomplishments, awards, leadership roles, internships, hobbies, part-time jobs, or community service experience. Next, use action verbs to describe these experiences. Create digital footprints of significant activities.

If this article answers your queries, check our website – www.collegecore.com. For assistance related to Undergraduate College Applications and Admissions, please book an appointment with Ms Urvashi Malik, Founder – CollegeCoreEducation.