College Plan Timeline:
Freshman Sophomore- Fall
- 1
Junior Year: Fall, Step 1: Start Junior Year By Taking the PSAT-NMSQT Test
- 2
Junior Year: Fall, Step 2: Organize College Planning Strategies With a Counselor
- 3
Junior Year: Fall, Step 3: Explore Colleges By Region, Size and Specialty
- 4
Junior Year: Fall, Step 4: Research College Costs and Tuition at Prospective Colleges
- 5
Junior Year: Fall, Step 5: Narrow Your College List: Select 10 to 20 Schools
- 6
Junior Year: Fall, Step 6: Develop a System for Your College Documents
- 7
Junior Year: Fall, Step 7: Choose a New Extracurricular Activity for Junior Year
- Winter
- 1
Junior Year: Winter, Step 1: Study Hard: Junior Year Grades are Essential
- 2
Junior Year: Winter, Step 2: Avoid SAT and ACT Disasters: Make Your Test Prep Plan
- 3
Junior Year: Winter, Step 3: Juniors: Take Your Extracurricular Activities Up a Notch
- 4
Junior Year: Winter, Step 4: Get Scholarships: Start Your Search Junior Year
- 5
Junior Year: Winter, Step 5: Attend College Fairs: Compare Schools and Refine Your Choices
- Spring
- 1
Junior Year: Spring, Step 1: Dominate the SAT or ACT
- 2
Junior Year: Spring, Step 2: Beat the Letter of Recommendation Rush
- 3
Junior Year: Spring, Step 3: Educate Yourself About College Admissions Requirements
- 4
Junior Year: Spring, Step 4: Get to Know Colleges: Schedule Visits and Interviews
- 5
Junior Year: Spring, Step 5: Impress College Admissions: Build a Strong Senior Schedule
- 6
Junior Year: Spring, Step 6: Juniors: Make the Most of Your Summer
- 7
Junior Year: Spring, Step 7: Know the Facts About AP Tests Before Test Day
- Summer
- 1
Junior Year: Summer, Step 1: Use Summer School to Get Ahead With College Prep
- 2
Junior Year: Summer, Step 2: Improve Your Resume: Get a Summer Job
- 3
Junior Year: Summer, Step 3: Begin Practicing Your College Essay-Writing Skills
- 4
Junior Year: Summer, Step 4: SAT and ACT Test Season: Are You Prepared?
- 5
Junior Year: Summer, Step 5: Research Financial Aid and Develop Your Plan
- 6
Junior Year: Summer, Step 6: Summer Project: Visit College Campuses
It's crunch time for standardized testing, make sure you're ready. Strengthen your transcript with AP classes and look for opportunities to expand your involvement in extracurriculars.
Top Articles for Juniors- It's Junior Year - Kick College Planning into High Gear
- Junior Year College Prep Schedule
- College Admissions Stress
- Explore All Your Education Options: Types of Colleges
- SAT: The Essentials
- SAT or ACT: Which Should You Take?
- College Essays: Tips and Sample Questions
- College Interview: Tips and Techniques
- See All Planning for College Articles
- College Search
- Build Your Profile (Get access to free college planning tools!)
- Junior College Planning Checklist
Narrow your college search by saving all your favorite schools and comparing them by location, size, demographics, and cost. Search through our database of over 8,500 colleges and universities to find schools similar to the ones you already like.
College Search
Location
Area of Study
- Select One - Agriculture and Natural Resources Arts & Humanities Business Communication & Media Cosmetology & Beauty Culinary Arts & Food Service Education Engineering Family and Consumer Science Professions Fitness, Recreation and Leisure Studies Funeral and Mortuary Services Health & Medical Services High School/Secondary Diploma Programs Interdisciplinary Studies Legal Professions Library Professions Life Science Life Skills Training Mathematics and Statistics Medical Residency Programs Military Science Natural Sciences Security and Protective Service Careers Skilled Trades Social Sciences Social Work Technician Careers Technology Transportation Careers Undecided Unknown Veterinary Medicine
Concentration (optional)
- Select One-
OR
School Name
- Where to Start - What is Important to You?
- Small Schools vs. Large Schools: Which is Right For Me?
- Private vs. Public College: Which is Best For Me?
- 10 Things to Do on Your Campus Visit
- Transfer Basics
- Certificate Programs: Get A Jump Start on Your Career
- How To Really Learn About A College
- See All College Search Articles
Delve into grants and scholarships and find out how you can save for college. Your financial aid package might affect your college search. Nvidia Rtx 3000 Are The Best Selling Gpus Of All Time
Top Articles for Juniors- Financial Aid Timeline: Junior Year
- Top 5 Mistakes Students Make with Financial Aid
- How Parents Can Help with Financial Aid
- How to Apply for Financial Aid
- What Is a Financial Aid Package?
- How to Find Scholarships
- Federal Pell Grant
- Different Types of Loans
- See All How to Pay for College Articles
- College Search
- Build Your Profile (Get access to free college planning tools!)
- Government Financial Aid Site
Schedule a few campus visits to narrow your college search. Research different types of colleges and find out what it's like to live on college campuses. Read more about college sports, majors and classes, and housing.
Top Articles for Juniors- What Does a Typical College Class Schedule Look Like?
- How to Choose a Major
- Easiest College Majors
- Hardest College Majors
- Taking Notes in College
- Student Organizations: An Overview
- Politics on Campus
- How is the NCAA Structured?
- Small College Sports Powerhouses
- Dorm Life 101
- The Best College Dorms
- See All College Life Articles
As you trim your college search, look for schools that can help with your career goals. Learn more about specific career fields and use your summer to learn about hot careers and job trends.
Top Articles for Juniors- What If You Don't Know What Career You Want?
- Degrees That Get You Hired
- Struggling Economy Is Proving a Boon for 2-Year Colleges
- Unemployment Rates are Lower Among College Graduates
- Top 25 Fastest-Growing Industries
- See All Career Planning Articles
- Education Careers
- Engineering Careers
- Health Care Careers
- Legal Careers
- Technology / Computer / IT Careers
- See All Career Overviews
Search 8,500+
colleges &
universities
to find your
perfect match.
Get on track with the only FREE
resource that helps you find, choose,
get into & afford the best college for you!
- Save Schools
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College Planning for High School Juniors
Planning for College: Junior Year
Your junior year is a big one for admissions prep and standardized testing. With the help of your guidance counselor, prepare for and dominate the PSAT/NMSQT then move on to take the SAT or ACT later in the year. Continue your college research and trim your college search to 10 or 15 prospective colleges or universities. Practice writing your college essay and remind your teachers to complete those integral letters of recommendation.
Quick Links to Popular Topics
- Getting Started with Your College Planning
- High School Academics and Activities
- Your College Search
- College Application Process
- Standardized Testing and Test Prep
How to Pay for College: Junior Year
As you think about college expenses while a junior in high school, research exactly how much it's going to cost to go to college and find out how you can get your hands on the millions of dollars in grants and scholarships up for grabs. Pick up a job or internship to expand your experiences and make up for any college expenses not paid by financial aid. With help from your counselor and parents, develop a comprehensive financial aid plan before deadlines start to complicate your life.
Quick Links to Popular Topics
- Financial Aid Basics
- Scholarships and Grants
- Student Loans
- Saving for College and Tax Credits
- Military Financial Aid
College Life
During your junior year, you can begin being your own campus explorer and continue visiting colleges that are on your wish list. While you're at these prospective colleges and universities, take a campus tour and talk to professors, students, admissions officers, and coaches. Check out college sports and recreation including varsity sports, college intramurals, and club sports.
Quick Links to Popular Topics
- Classes and Academics
- Student Organizations and Activities
- College Sports and Recreation
- College Housing
- Dating and Social Life
Career Planning for Juniors
Meet with your guidance counselor and continue the discussion about your academic strengths and weaknesses, hot careers and job trends, and career planning. Your junior year of high school is a great time to get a head start; let your career plans help you decide which degree programs and college majors you plan to pursue. Explore degrees that get you hired and find out how you can align your education with your career choice.