Junior and senior year of high school is commonly thought of as “the” time to prepare for college; however, sophomore year is equally important. Initiating the process earlier provides students with a head start, enabling them to tackle some tasks before the busy fall of junior year. Here are a few suggestions that students can focus on during the spring of their sophomore year: 

• Focus on Academics: Prioritize studies, finish the year with determination, and remember, every grade point counts! If a course poses a challenge, reach out to the instructor or an advisor for help. Ultimately, the academic transcript is the most important factor in college admissions.

• Demonstrate Academic Rigor:  Encourage students to develop a strong academic transcript through thoughtful course selection. Colleges value a trajectory of growth, where students exhibit academic strength, embrace challenges, and explore interests. For example, consider a student who enjoys the humanities and begins high school with College Prep English-9, earning a B+; sophomore year they advance to Honors English-10 achieving an A. The following two years, the student further challenges themselves by enrolling in AP Language and Composition and AP Literature. This progression showcases the student’s proactive approach to better develop their strengths and interests. 

• Plan for Standardized Tests:  Standardized testing can be valuable, and students are  encouraged to prepare for either the ACT or SAT exam by following a planned test prep schedule. The summer before junior year is often the ideal time to begin test prep.  Summer tends to be less hectic and allows the student to focus attention on the upcoming tests scheduled in the fall of junior year.  Understanding the difference between the SAT and ACT exam, determining which test may be a better fit, and knowing the free or affordable test prep options are important- email [email protected] for a FREE resource. 

• Engage in Extracurricular Involvement: Participation in activities and demonstrating  impact is a key element in developing a meaningful activity resume. When students engage in activities that they genuinely enjoy, commitment tends to deepen organically. As an example, consider a student with a passion for writing, sports, who also subscribes to a monthly online magazine to keep up on the news. The student may choose to join the high school newspaper as a general member and contribute short articles about sports. Their enthusiasm and talent shine through, leading the student to be appointed as the feature editor for the high school sports the following year.  As they embrace the additional responsibilities, their commitment, skills, and leadership flourish. By senior year they are offered the editor -in-chief - a testament to their dedication and growth.  

• Hit the Road: Schedule a local college road tour during spring break to visit campuses.  An ideal trip consists of various sizes and school settings- like rural, suburban, and city campuses. There is no need to travel far, since at this stage it is about identifying what college criteria matters most to the student - and not where the student will ultimately apply. 

• Cultivate Relationships with Teachers and Counselors: Start to develop genuine connections with teachers and counselors. These relationships will prove invaluable when college recommendation letters need to be requested during junior year.  Prioritizing teachers who have significantly influenced the student’s academic and personal development will be excellent choices for writing impactful letters.  

• Embrace Summer:  While students absolutely need time to recharge, there are plenty of fun ways to keep learning during the summer heading into junior year. Explore activities like reading (magazines are fine too), journaling, drawing, learning a new water sport, working at the local ice cream shop with your friends, exploring various volunteer opportunities, interning at a local business, and/or attending an interesting 2-week college camp.  Email [email protected] for a FREE Volunteer resource. 

Good luck and enjoy the journey!   

College 101 Admissions Consultants LLC. 

Website: www.mycollege101.com.  

Email: [email protected]. Phone: (508) 380-3845.

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