College is Closer Than You Think: Here's What You Should Be Doing As a Junior
For most college-bound students, the thought of college applications alone are enough to incite panic. And with senior year just around the corner for many of us, we may be tempted to put off every aspect of the admissions process for as long as humanly possible. There are countless misconceptions surrounding the process, and with an abundance of information to sort through, it is easy to become overwhelmed. Here is what you should be doing during the spring of your junior year.
For starters, it is a well-known fact that the final grades you receive your junior year are by far the most important to colleges when considering your application. Many students begin to lose momentum at the conclusion of their junior year and into their senior year, but it is crucial that you finish strong. Similarly, when planning what courses you are going to take your senior year, it is important that you choose classes that are going to challenge you. For example, if your high school requires only three years of math or history, don’t be too quick to rule out taking an additional course in one of these areas your senior year. Cliffside Park High School requires that seniors take a minimum of 15 credits their senior year, but for college-bound students, it is recommended that you take more so that colleges will see your efforts to challenge yourself academically.
This brings us to our next point of interest - advanced placement and dual enrollment courses. Cliffside Park High School has a long list of Advanced Placement classes that are available, along with an array of dual enrollment courses that award you with highly-transferable college credits at Bergen Community College. In addition, Cliffside Park High School’s recent introduction of the CAAD program to juniors and seniors is a great opportunity. Participants in the CAAD program will be awarded with an associate’s degree upon successful completion of the program, which begins during your junior year of high school. In other words, if you meet all of the academic and disciplinary requirements to take part in the program your sophomore year, you can then decide whether or not the program is right for you. If you choose to partake in the program, you will receive your associate’s degree at the same time that you receive your high school diploma.
As someone who takes part in the CAAD program, I will be the first to tell you that it is not for everyone. It requires dedication, and it is good to have an idea of what you plan on studying in college before taking part in the program. Being that the program requires you to spend half of the school day at one of Bergen Community College’s locations, it can be hard for some people to adjust. College is much different from high school, but one of the biggest positives about the program is that it offers early exposure to what college is really like and enables you to gain some perspective as to what you would like to study. Not to mention, the CAAD program is also a potentially great way to help you save money. Because the program allows you to receive your associate’s degree at a significantly reduced rate and because the credits are highly transferable, you will likely end up saving big in the long run, especially if you plan on going into a specialized field of study like medicine or law.
Colleges want to see students that challenge themselves throughout high school - not just their junior and senior years. Many schools look for students who are well-rounded, who express a genuine interest in whatever field of study they desire. Taking AP or dual-enrollment courses that are geared toward a specific area of interest are a great way to showcase your academic ability and interest in your studies.
As a junior, it is important that you make connections with your guidance counselors and teachers. Considering that many schools require at least one letter of recommendation, it is crucial that your educators are able to speak highly of you, therefore increasing your chances of admission. Be sure to begin a dialogue with your counselors so that they can get an idea of your personal and educational goals. Talking with your counselor and taking advantage of programs meant to assist you in your college search like the new SCOIR program that Cliffside Park High School has recently implemented, will be very beneficial to you in terms of figuring out where you would like to go to school and how to get in.
Finally, take the time in the spring of your junior year to visit any colleges that you may be interested in, along with studying for standardized tests like the SAT or the ACT. It is important to remember that different schools have varying SAT and/or ACT requirements, and some don’t require standardized test scores at all! Make sure that you review any and all admission requirements when looking at a school that you are interested in. There is no better time than your junior year to take the SAT, considering that most students will just have completed Algebra and Geometry courses that make up much of the SAT. Take this time to improve your score and take advantage of all of the programs offered at the high school. The SAT boot camp along with SAT help offered through the College Board or Khan Academy are great places to start. If you would like more information on what you can do to jump
start the college process during your junior year, visit the link below!