Welcome to junior year! This is an important year in the college planning process, but you don’t need to tackle everything at once. As you settle into your new schedule, focus first on developing routines that will serve you well to manage your academics, activities,...
I hope you're enjoying your summer so far, finding time to relax, spend time with friends and family, and enjoy a well-earned break. At the same time, summer is one of the best opportunities rising seniors have to reduce fall stress by getting a jump...
Congratulations—you’ve made it! For many students, junior year is the most demanding year of high school academically, and you should be proud of what you’ve accomplished. Before diving into the college application process, take the opportunity for reflection on the goals you set for yourself...
We’re in the homestretch of the school year, and I know many juniors are juggling AP exams, finals, and perhaps another round of SAT or ACT testing. It’s a busy time, so keep your focus on finishing strong. Your performance now matters and sets the...
As the Class of 2027 application cycle approaches, many students are eager to get a head start—and that’s a great instinct. The most important priority right now, however, remains your academics: finish the year strong and do your best on any AP exams. Still, there...
As spring approaches, it’s a good time for juniors to pause and refocus. How did the fall semester go? Grades remain the single most important factor in college admissions, so if you’re struggling in any class, now is the time to seek support. Depending on...
I hope you enjoyed your break and are returning to school feeling refreshed. Between academics, extracurricular activities, standardized testing, and college planning, this can be one of the busiest stretches of high school, but a little advance planning and a big-picture mindset can go a...
December is a natural checkpoint in the college planning process for juniors now that PSAT scores are in, and standardized testing is starting to feel real. If you haven’t taken a diagnostic ACT yet, I recommend doing so soon, and comparing the score with your...
Juniors are getting some information around this time that's important for college planning. In addition to a first report card of the year, PSAT scores are coming in, so students who have not finalized their testing plan have a couple of to-do items. First, take...
I hope your junior year is off to a strong start! This is an exciting and busy time, with challenging classes, leadership roles, and new opportunities to explore. Remember that your top priority continues to be your academic performance—more than any other piece of your...