07 Apr Road Map for April: Juniors
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 are some practical steps you can take now to make the application process smoother and less stressful in the fall.
One of the easiest ways to begin is by getting familiar with the Common Application. Last month I mentioned getting started on the Profile, Family, Education, and Testing sections. It’s important to know that while the platform is still in the Class of 2026 cycle, the information you enter in these sections will roll over when it updates at the end of July. You can also begin sketching out your Activities section—placeholders are perfectly fine for now. I recommend holding off on essay writing until the school year ends, as well as any college-specific questions, which won’t be saved in the rollover. You’ll get focused on those after the school year wraps up.
It’s also important to plan ahead for letters of recommendation. Your school counselor will write one, so be sure you understand your school’s process, which may include completing a brag sheet or scheduling a one-on-one meeting. This will help your counselor write a detailed, personal letter. In addition, plan to ask two teachers from core academic subjects, ideally from 11th grade, before the end of the school year so you can head into the summer knowing your letters are in the works.
Juniors should be continuing their college research and developing their lists. After spring break, summer is the next big opportunity for campus tours. Late August can be an especially valuable time to visit, as college classes are often in session before high school students are back to school.
Finally, while the FAFSA won’t open until October 1 of senior year, families can begin exploring financial aid expectations now using the Federal Student Aid Estimator and individual colleges’ net price calculators. Some, but not all, colleges include merit aid estimates in their calculators, and you can find additional merit aid data here under each school’s “Financials” tab. Getting a handle on how much aid you might be eligible for can help start conversations about how much parents, students and others will contribute to college and get everyone on the same page about affordability. Taking these steps now will help you approach senior year with clarity, confidence, and momentum.