Wishful thinking! When it's the summer before your junior year, you've got lots to think about and lots to do. This doesn't have to mean that your summer has to be full of stress; it simply means you'll need to spend a bit of time planning over the summer so some of the burden will be off your shoulders once you are back in school as a busy senior.
Start with Some Online Research. It's likely that you've already done some preliminary college research--and if you haven't, get started now. Counselor-O-Matic is a great way to get a handle on the schools that fit you-both academically and personally. Join PrincetonReview.com for a free account and start building your own list of schools that interest you.
 - Join PrincetonReview.com Now!
- Counselor-O-Matic
- Start Your List of Schools
- Get Organized
College Visits. Conventional wisdom says that summer isn't the best time to visit college campuses since there aren't many students around. That said, summertime might be the only time that works for you and, as importantly, for your parents. You remember them, right? The people who will no doubt be accompanying you on these trips? So hit the road and check out a few schools live and in person.
- The College Visit
- What to Look For
Exploit Your Local College Network. College students, especially lower classmen, typically return home for the summer. Chances are, you--or your older siblings, friends of your parents, etc,--might even know of few of them. Whatever the connection is, talk to them about their college experience. They might look intimidating, but they'll love to tell you all about themselves and share their college wisdom. Current students are a fantastic source of information--one of the best. If you're too shy to talk to them in person, check out the Students Say write-ups on PrincetonReview.com.
- Best 366 College Rankings
- Regional Guide to the Best Colleges
- Ask Lisa Marie: Getting the Inside Scoop on Colleges
Get Ready for Application Season. Once you've honed in on a handful of schools that interest you, start taking a look at some applications. If this year's applications aren't ready yet, check out a few from last year. Pay particular attention to the requirements--if you need to submit a resume, start working on one now. And if you need three teacher recommendations, start thinking about your best candidates. Also, if you're planning to apply early decision or early action, make sure you understand what that means--including the fact that some of the application deadlines fall as early as November 1!
- What You Should Know Before You Apply
- Applying Early
- The Stress-Free Guide to Working with Your Parents
Start Writing. Application essays can take a lot of time to write, so why not start early? It might not seem like much fun, but neither does staying home in December while your family goes skiing or to the beach because you still haven't finished your application essays. You don't have to make it perfect, just get something down on paper that you can mull over for a while.
- Get a Jump Start on Your College Admissions Essay
- What Makes a Good College Essay?
Keep Busy. Colleges like to see high school students who have used their summers well. Holding down a steady job, volunteering at a community service organization, and/or enrolling in enrichment classes all count as valuable experiences. A summer spent perfecting your tan does not. (Rats!)
- Pick Me! Pick Me! What Colleges Look for in an Applicant
- Research Internship Opportunities
Get Ready for the SAT. Even if you've already taken the SAT once (or twice), you may need to consider taking it again. Or, perhaps you need to take the SAT II. Whatever your situation, it's time to plan and prepare. Spend your summer working on your vocabulary the easy way…READ! Take a couple of hours here and there to complete a practice test, too. Consider a test prep course to help you get ready.
- Sign up for Word du Jour
- Research Preparation Courses in Your Area
- Take a Free Practice Test Online
Review Your Transcript. Don't wait until second semester senior year to find out that you are short a credit or two and won't be able to graduate on time. If there's anything worse than summer school after your junior year, it's summer school after your senior year. Trust us on this one.
- Your Transcript: Reading Between the Lines
- Academic Planning: Plan Early, Plan Wisely
Research Scholarships. Because college is so expensive, students sometimes make a decision on where they will enroll based almost entirely on which school they can afford. That is not the way you want to choose your college. So, the more scholarship money you can secure beforehand, the more your options will open up to you once it comes time to finally choose a school. Start researching scholarships now and focus on preparing to apply for the ones you have the best shot of receiving.
- Scholarship Search
- ROTC Scholarships
- Learn How Public Service Can Help Pay for College
Don't get caught off-guard when you're back on your high school campus. With a bit of forethought, the summer before your senior year can be fun and relaxing even with everything above.
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