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 this year. What are you most proud of? What challenges did you overcome, and what do you want to focus on as you head into senior year?

Before school lets out, make sure you’ve requested letters of recommendation from two academic teachers who know you well. Giving teachers plenty of notice allows them time to reflect on your contributions in class and write thoughtful, detailed letters. Be prepared to provide a résumé, brag sheet, or other information that will help them highlight your strengths.

After you have a chance to relax and recharge, it’s time to turn your attention to applications. The more work you can complete this summer, the less stressful the fall will be. My students are using these months to complete the Common Application, including their activities lists and personal essays, and to begin their school-specific supplemental essays. Keep in mind that while most of the information entered in the Common App tab will roll over to the new application cycle when it opens on August 1, answers to college-specific questions will not, so it’s best to draft these essays separately rather than adding the information directly into the application for now. Also, this year the Family section will have structural updates, so answers to those questions will not be saved.

Summer is also the time to continue your college research, plan any additional tours, and firm up your list. Whether you’re visiting campuses in person or exploring virtually, focus on what matters most to you academically and socially. Acceptances at the most selective schools continue to be hard to predict, so it’s more important than ever to have a thoughtful list of colleges that are all a good fit and includes some likely options.  And don’t forget about financial considerations. Although you may not know exactly what your expected costs will be until each college’s financial aid offer comes in, this is the time to make sure parents and students are on the same page about what affordability looks like.

To register for individual advising, please contact me! I’m excited for all that lies ahead for the Class of 2027 and would love to support you during this busy and exciting application season.