You’ve completed your sophomore year, and now it’s time to prepare for the most crucial year of high school—your junior year. This summer is your chance to get ahead on college prep, extracurricular activities, and SAT/ACT preparation. Junior year is often considered the most important year for college admissions, so why not use this summer to set yourself up for success?
In this blog, we’ll walk you through the essential steps to make the most of your summer before junior year. From building your college list to preparing for standardized tests, this guide will help you stay on track for college admissions while balancing academics, extracurriculars, and internships.
What high school juniors need to know about college prep
As you go into 11th grade, you are faced with more challenges and responsibilities. This is the year to prove yourself to your teachers and yourself. During your junior year, you’re expected to take AP classes and extracurricular activities that will help you get into a good college.
Junior year is the perfect time to look more into the colleges that you’re considering. Take a close look at their admissions requirements and the qualifications you’ll need. As you research, make sure you’re staying focused on your academics and studying for the SAT/ACT.
Another thing that you might consider accomplishing in your junior year of high school is getting a job. You’ll be old enough to get a job, but you will most likely have a lot on your plate with school work. Make sure to only add on the extra responsibility if you have the bandwidth. Prioritizing appropriately will help you stay on track with all of your responsibilities.
Now that you have a better idea of what is to come during your junior year of high school, let’s take a look at different ways to make your summer more productive.
5 must-do tasks for high school juniors this summer
1. Create a list of colleges to apply to
Use the summer before your junior year to start researching colleges that interest you. Break your list into safety, target, and dream schools based on your academic profile. Tools like the College Board’s search tool or Naviance can help you narrow down your choices. Aim to include at least two colleges in each category to keep your options open.
2. Schedule college tours to find your best fit
Another thing to consider the summer before your junior year of high school is to visit the colleges you want to attend. Visiting college campuses gives you a better sense of the environment and student life. Try to visit at least two or three campuses to compare. While on your tour, explore academic facilities, ask about student organizations, and get a feel for daily life. Don’t forget to ask the admissions counselors about their application requirements and deadlines.
There’s a lot to discover when you’re on college campuses. You get to experience the atmosphere and lifestyle. Ask as many questions as you can! Here’s a checklist that can help you organize important information to ask while on-campus.
3. Start SAT/ACT prep early to boost your sores
The summer before your junior year of high school is the perfect time to start preparing for the SAT or ACT. Junior year is typically the year you take the SAT/ACT. Depending on the colleges you’re applying to, you may be required to take the SAT/ACT. If your desired college doesn’t require their students to submit standardized test scores, it’s still important that you do so, as strong scores can enhance your application.
4. Boost your college application with extracurriculars
It’s time to take on more responsibilities outside of school! Colleges value consistent involvement in extracurricular activities, so spend the summer building your leadership skills through volunteering or joining a new club. These activities help show your dedication and initiative on your college application. Work hard and plan to succeed.
5. Gain experience with a summer job or internship
Another way to make the summer before your junior year productive is by getting a job. A job allows you to earn money, which allows you to start saving for college, gain you valuable experience working with a team, and develop new skills.
Another option is to gain a summer internship. This is beneficial if you’re looking to gain experience in something you’re passionate about. Internships can be paid or unpaid, and can potentially turn into jobs after the internship ends. Having these additional experiences is great to have on your college application and resume.
Key takeaways
After reading about everything that you can accomplish in the summer before your junior year, now is the time to decide what you are going to do. Whether you’re researching schools, preparing for standardized tests, or building your resume with internships or jobs, the steps you take now will pay off later. Everything on this to-do list is to help guide you in the right direction and prepare you for what is to come.
Prepory’s expert counselors are here to help you with everything from creating a college list to navigating extracurriculars and internships. Contact us today to make the most of your summer before junior year!
FAQs about how to prepare for junior year
Balancing test prep with summer activities requires good time management. Try to create a routine that includes some time for studying while still leaving room for relaxation and other commitments. It’s important to stay consistent with your prep but also give yourself breaks to enjoy your summer. Finding a balance that works for you will help you stay focused and productive without feeling overwhelmed.
Summer is a great time to begin college visits, especially when school is less hectic. You can start visiting colleges between your sophomore and junior years, focusing on local schools or those you can easily travel to. Plan to visit a few more during your junior year as you narrow down your college list.
Colleges value commitment and passion over quantity, so focus on activities where you can show leadership or long-term involvement. Whether it's by joining a sports team, volunteering, or starting a passion project, choose activities that genuinely interest you and align with your future goals.
Having a summer job or internship can be a great way to gain experience, develop responsibility, and save money for college. If you’re interested in a specific career field, internships also help you explore that industry. Just make sure you can balance your work with other priorities like SAT/ACT prep and college research.
During the summer, aim for a steady yet manageable approach to SAT/ACT prep. Ideally, set aside 1-2 hours a few days a week for studying. This gives you enough time to cover key topics without feeling overwhelmed. The goal is to stay consistent, so break up study sessions into manageable chunks and give yourself breaks to avoid burnout. By the end of summer, you’ll be well-prepared without sacrificing your free time.
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