This time of year my priorities for juniors usually include doing well in your classes, prepping for standardized tests, college visits and summer plans. Doing well in your classes is still at the top, and this year I’m prioritizing college research. Right now this consists...
One of the most important things you can do this year is to make a special effort to get to know your teachers. Generally 11th grade teachers are the best choices for letters of recommendation, but the opportunities to develop relationships are more limited with...
If you've been following my advice on standardized testing and are interested in more detail, on December 14 I'll have Jen Dillon from AdeptPrep tutoring joining me for Standardized Testing for the Class of 2022 and Beyond. We'll talk about the SAT and ACT, how...
If your high school didn't offer the PSAT or you chose to sit it out, the National Merit Scholarship Corporation just announced this year's alternate entry requirements. The College Board has also added a January option that your school may choose to participate in. I...
Usually the big event for juniors in October is the PSAT. A few schools have decided to offer the exam but if your school isn't one of them, don't worry. This is just a diagnostic test for all but the highest scoring students, and you...
Junior year has a reputation for being challenging and this year is certainly no exception. The challenges are different, however, in this COVID environment. Students often find that a heavy workload is the hardest part of 11th grade. While this depends on your course selection,...
Despite the challenges we’re all experiencing this summer, I hope you’re able to have some fun and spend time on things you find meaningful. With respect to college planning, thinking about what’s meaningful to you can help you identify priorities for your college search. If...
If college planning has been on the back burner while you’ve contended with online classes and AP exams, let me reassure you that you're not alone. I've been advising students to focus on school while it’s in session, knowing that we’ll have lots of time...
Even under these unusual circumstances, my typical advice for juniors still holds: the most important thing right now for college is to do as well as you can in your classes. In another year you might be taking standardized tests or visiting colleges, but none...
This is a long post, folks. Juniors have a unique set of challenges in this year's college admissions cycle. Be aware, however, that everyone in the Class of 2021 is in the same boat and colleges are prepared to be flexible in this unprecedented year. First...