The following article was submitted by Winning Applications, a Wilton-based college application consulting practice. 

It’s the second half of the school year and that means the minds of many high school juniors, and those of their parents, will turn to college admissions. Ideally, students should get a head start on the process before summer begins. The college consultants at Wilton-based Winning Applications suggest juniors tackle these tasks first:

1. Get a sense of who could write letters of recommendation for you

Junior year is a perfect time to really get to know your teachers. Let them see what interests you both inside and outside of the classroom. You may want to focus on teachers who have known you for a long time, and those who teach the classes you enjoy most, the classes you excel in and the classes closely related to your potential college major. In addition to teachers, you may also want to ask a coach or employer familiar with your skills outside the classroom, who can address qualities such as leadership, resilience, initiative, and persistence.

It is important to note that if a teacher, coach, employer, or other adult hesitates when you ask for a letter of recommendation; it is probably a good idea to approach someone else. The individual may not feel that he or she knows you well enough to write an effective or supportive letter. It would be in your best interest to find someone who can.

2. Prepare for and take tests

One of the worst parts of the college application process is test-taking. While many schools are test-optional, many more want to see test scores. While testing does add stress to a student’s junior year, it is also a great thing to cross off early on the college application list. There are a few bright spots with respect to testing:

  • The more you practice and prepare, the better your test scores will be.
  • Prepping for one test (such as the ACT) will also help prepare you for the SAT if you choose to switch tests.
  • The SAT subject tests, typically required by the most competitive college programs, allow students to focus on and highlight performance in their favorite subjects.

3. Visit colleges

Instead of making your first college trip ten hours away, start local. By visiting colleges that are physically close to you, you can often determine whether urban or rural, big or small is your ideal college. Check websites to schedule tours and information sessions. Research nearby towns, restaurants, hotels, attractions and travel info. (Families who have already gone on college visits are great resources.) It is best not to try to squeeze too much into each trip as this can create stress for all involved. Do your research on schools before the trip and make a list of questions for each school. Visits are the perfect opportunities to make inquiries and connections. Don’t forget to take notes so you remember what you liked and didn’t like on each campus.

Winning Applications has a college visit tracker form, which you can request via email.

4. Fill out the Common Application

Instead of erasing students’ applications in July, the new version of the Common Application will remain open all year. This now allows juniors to start parts of the Common App process earlier. Every year, there are small changes Last year, the wording of essays was changed and one essay prompt was replaced, but this year it was announced that the Common Application long essay will remain the same.

This year, you can also download the Common Application’s mobile app called Common App onTrack. This mobile companion to a student’s Common Application account features college submission status view, reminders, and push notifications that will help students organize their outstanding tasks and remember upcoming due dates “24/7.” It allows you to keep track of your progress and stay ahead of each college’s deadline.

5. Make plans for the summer

From being a camp counselor to working on an elephant farm in Thailand, high school juniors find fascinating summer opportunities. But if you are choosing to work with elephants or be a counselor, make sure it is because you want to and not because you (or your parents) think it will get you into college. Admissions committees want to see experiences that sync with the rest of your interests. Extracurricular activities that are “to get into college” are obvious, and will be perceived negatively. While the summer should include downtime, serial-watching “Game of Thrones” will eventually get old. Students should plan to participate in summer activities that they are interested in because they are also the activities in which they will usually excel. What would you really enjoy doing this summer if colleges weren’t looking and if your parents weren’t suggesting? Now that’s a good plan.

For more information, contact Winning Applications via email or by calling 203.762.6500.