As junior year quickly comes to an end, students and parents might start to feel the pressure of the upcoming college application season, but starting now, before summer begins, can make senior year far less stressful.
Here are the five most important things that I work on with my juniors in the spring to set them up for a smoother college application process.
While this list is especially helpful for rising seniors, many of these steps can start earlier. Freshmen, sophomores, and even middle school students can begin building habits and experiences now that will make the college process far more manageable later.
1. Solidify a preliminary college list.
Before the end of junior year, students should have a working college list that includes a balanced mix of reach, target, and likely schools. The list doesn’t have to be perfect yet, but it should include about 8-12 schools they are genuinely interested in.
Students should begin researching majors, campus environment, and extracurriculars at each school. Once students have their list, they can start planning campus visits over the summer and start thinking about why each school might be a good fit.
2. Build a high school resume.
A strong resume helps students stay organized and can be incredibly useful for college and scholarship applications, as well as for requests for recommendation letters. A resume should include extracurricular activities, leadership roles, community service, work experience, summer programs, and awards and recognitions.
Even students who feel they “haven’t done much” are often surprised by how much they’ve accomplished once everything is written down. For younger students, it’s a good idea to create a Google Doc and add every activity and achievement throughout high school so nothing is forgotten when it’s time to build a resume and complete applications.
3. Ask teachers for recommendation letters.
Teachers are often flooded with requests in the fall, so asking them now gives them time to write a thoughtful letter over the summer. Students should ask two junior year teachers from core academic subjects who know them well and can speak to their strengths. Providing teachers with a resume or brag sheet will help them to write a stronger, more detailed, and more personalized letter about the student.
4. Plan summer break with purpose.
The summer before senior year is a great opportunity for students to add depth to their experiences. Students don’t need to attend expensive college prep programs. Colleges appreciate meaningful and authentic summer engagement. For example, working a summer job, volunteering in the community, exploring a career interest through job shadowing or an internship, taking a college course, or even continuing activities they already love.
The key is to do something intentional and aligned with their interests.
5. Start thinking about the personal essay.
Students don’t need a finished essay before summer, but they can start brainstorming possible topics. The Common App essay prompts are usually released in late January or February each year for the upcoming admission cycle, so there is no need to wait. Here are the prompts for the 2026-2027 admissions cycle. Great essays often come from reflection – not rushing.
Students can start considering a meaningful experience that has shaped them, a challenge that they overcame, or a passion or interest that reveals something about who they are. I usually start brainstorming essay topics with my juniors in the spring, and over the summer, we begin drafting and revising without the pressure of school assignments. We set a goal to complete the personal essay before the start of senior year.
When students enter summer with a plan in place, they can approach senior year with greater confidence, less stress, and more time to focus on what truly matters – making memories, enjoying their final year of high school, and preparing for exciting opportunities ahead.
If your child needs guidance on building a standout college application strategy and avoiding the senior year scramble, that’s what we’re here for!
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ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
Jen Foldvary, M.Ed., is a College Consultant at Educational Connections who guides students through every step of the admissions process, from building a balanced college list to crafting standout applications that get results.
A former teacher, private high school college counselor, and Associate Director of Freshman Admission at the University of Toledo, Jen knows what colleges are really looking for. She holds a Bachelor’s in Special Education and a Master’s in Higher Education Administration from the University of Toledo.