14 Nov Road Map for November: Juniors

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 a practice ACT and compare scores to see if you’re better at one exam or the other. You can do this at home, or find an in-person diagnostic, which many tutoring companies offer, for a more realistic testing experience. As you review your results, make sure to use a PSAT-to-ACT comparison tool (not an SAT/ACT chart.) If your scores are comparable, consider other factors: Did you prefer one test over the other? Do the test dates for one work better with your schedule? Then map out your testing calendar for the winter, spring and summer, with the goal of completing all testing before school starts next year. Keep in mind that the ACT science section is now optional, but a few colleges require or recommend it; I am advising students to take all four sections and decide later which schools to submit the science score to.

While testing is important, it shouldn’t overshadow your broader junior-year priorities. Academics still matter most, so stay on top of your coursework and seek help early if you need it. You should also continue to plan for college visits and do meaningful college exploration online. Think about which subjects you enjoy most and start looking at majors, required courses, electives, research opportunities, internships, and study abroad programs at schools that interest you. As always, be sure to take notes you can refer to later as you build your application list.

If you’d like guidance on standardized testing or college research, please get in touch—I’m here to help you make the most of this important year.