The short answer is yes, you can apply to college as a junior. But … should you? Maybe if you have an outstanding academic record, near-perfect test scores, and a resume that's beaming with extracurricular achievements. Still, it may not be the best idea. Why?
In this blog post, we’ll show you as we discuss:
Pros and cons of applying to college junior year
How applying as a junior might affect the outcome of your college applications
The typical college application timeline
Better ways to prepare for the college application process during your junior year
Let's get started!
Should I apply to college as a junior?
First off, applying to college during your junior year is typically only done by students with nearly perfect GPAs and test scores who are seeking a competitive edge in the admissions process. These students also have extensive extracurricular activities, such as meaningful volunteer work or leadership positions in clubs and organizations that demonstrate dedication to going above and beyond.
Do most high school juniors fit that description? Nope! But even if you do, you still may want to wait until your senior year to apply because some of the cons of applying for colleges junior year are too significant to dismiss. Let's start by looking at the pros so you can see how they compare.
Pros of applying for college as a junior
Potential to get into college earlier and begin planning for the future
Leave high school one year in advance
Of course, these pros are only relevant if you get accepted. There's no guarantee! And unfortunately, the cons of applying as a junior mainly involve factors that could negatively impact the quality and outcome of your college applications.
Cons of applying for college as a junior
Potentially miss out on traditional senior year activities, such as prom and graduation
Less time to apply for scholarships and plan for college expenses
Challenging to keep up with all the academic demands that come with being a junior and trying to apply for college at the same time
Fewer opportunities to improve scores on standardized tests, such as the SAT and ACT
Potentially less support from your guidance counselor and teachers since you're skipping out on the traditional college application timeline
College admissions officers will compare your applications to those of more experienced seniors who will likely have more robust and well-rounded transcripts, more leadership experience in their extracurriculars, more effective teacher recommendations, etc.
That last con is perhaps the most important for you to consider. So, let's dig a little deeper into how applying as a junior can negatively affect your college applications.
How applying as a junior might affect the outcome of your college applications
Most colleges have no official rule that you must be a senior when applying. But being a junior can put you at a disadvantage. Here's why.
College admissions will look at your application and compare it to those of students applying as seniors. As a junior, you'll be competing against students who have another year's worth of valuable experience over you. So if you're applying to highly selective schools as a junior, it might be harder for you to beat out a senior with more depth in their application.
Colleges also look for students who have shown commitment to their school and community through involvement in extracurricular activities and leadership positions. As a junior, you might still need more of that type of experience. And, even if you have it, it will often be less than what it could be if you were a senior.
So, when should you apply for college?
The consensus among admissions counselors and college prep advisors is that the fall of your senior year is the best time to apply for college. That way, you have plenty of time to get your application materials together and present your best self to admissions officers.
Here's a general timeline that you’d typically follow as a student applying to college during senior year:
Fall of your junior year
Begin researching colleges to find the best fit for you to develop a well-rounded college list with reach, maybe, and likely schools.
Take the PSAT and plan your test dates for the ACT or SAT; typically, you will take either of these standardized tests for the first time during the winter or spring of your junior year.
Start looking into financial aid and scholarship opportunities.
Attempt getting one or two more leadership positions in your extracurriculars.
Continue to build your high school transcript with advanced-level classes, such as honors or AP classes—not a requirement, but these classes can help if you're applying to competitive colleges.
Winter and spring of your junior year
Take the ACT or SAT for the first time or second time to increase your score.
Continue researching financial aid and scholarship opportunities.
Plan to participate in at least one summer activity that supports and demonstrates your academic interests; ideally, this activity will be related to your intended major.
Reach out to the teachers you want to write your recommendation letters; you may consider preparing a "brag sheet" to remind them of your achievements and what information might help them write the best letter.
Summer before your senior year
If possible, visit and go on campus tours of the schools on your college list.
Narrow down and finalize your college list; decide which schools (if any) you'd like to consider for Early Decision or Early Action applications.
Study for standardized exams (ACT, SAT, SAT Subject Tests) if you plan to take or retake them during the fall of your senior year.
Begin brainstorming topics and writing rough drafts for your college essays and personal statements.
Continue researching and begin applying for scholarship opportunities.
Fall of your senior year
Familiarize yourself with the admissions requirements of all the schools on your college list.
Take any remaining standardized exams by October for Early Decision/Early Action applications and by December for Regular Decision applications (double-check these testing deadlines by reviewing the admissions testing requirements for each school on your list).
If relevant, submit your Early Decision and/or Early Action applications.
If possible, continue to visit the campuses of the schools on your college list.
Confirm that your teachers have enough information and time to submit your letters of recommendation on time.
Meet with your high school guidance counselor to confirm your college list; they will also need to certify your transcript and submit a school report.
Submit the FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) and, if required, the College Board CSS Profile application.
Continue to work hard in all your classes; grades are a significant factor in the admissions process, and your senior year fall semester grades are your last chance to make a good impression.
Continue researching and begin applying for scholarship opportunities.
Winter and spring of your senior year
Submit all college applications before the application deadline; at many colleges, the deadline is on or soon after January 1.
Send your high school transcripts with your fall semester grades to all colleges you applied to.
Continue researching and applying for scholarship opportunities.
That's a long list of tasks to complete, don't you think? In fact, it can be even longer if you follow all of the recommendations on our complete college application timeline.
Can you shift all of those things forward a year and pack them into sophomore and the beginning of junior year? Sure. You can. Does that sound easy or fun? Probably not so much.
You'll likely be much better off if you wait until your senior year to apply for college. And, if you really do have extra time to kill, consider improving your shot of being admitted to your dream school by partaking in one or more of the activities in the next section.
Better ways to prepare for the college application process during your junior year
Do you see why you should probably wait until your senior year to apply for college? If so, let's focus now on how best to prepare during your junior year if you have extra time and want to give yourself a competitive edge. Here are a few activities that can help you get ahead of the game:
Take college-level courses
If you want to challenge yourself beyond the courses available at your high school, consider taking college-level courses. Some state and local community colleges offer high school students the opportunity to enroll in courses. These classes can give you a leg up on the competition by demonstrating your ability to excel in a college-level environment.
Develop a passion project
Spend time developing an independent project showcasing your academic and extracurricular interests. This project could be anything from a scientific research paper to a literary magazine to a community service project. This type of initiative will give you valuable experience and showcase your dedication to learning outside the classroom.
Start a new student club
Another great way to stand out is by starting a new club for your school or community. Starting a new club will demonstrate your leadership skills and passion for gathering your fellow students to discuss interesting topics. It could be anything from a club to discuss issues related to marine biology to a club focused on discussing your favorite anime.
Begin drafting your college essays
No matter when you apply to college, one thing is certain—you will have to write essays! But don't be fooled. Writing the type of essays that will get you accepted into college is not easy. If you have time during your junior year, start your essay writing process early. Doing so will give you plenty of time to refine your essays and get feedback from teachers, mentors, or experienced peers. The earlier you start, the more time you have to write an outstanding college essay and submit them on time.
Get a job or internship
If you want to test out potential career paths or start saving for college, consider getting a part-time job or summer internship. This is a great way to develop your professional skills and bolster your resume for college applications. Plus, it looks great to admissions officers when you show that you’re actively involved in the community or taking the initiative to earn your own money.
Improve your GPA and standardized test scores
Unless you already have perfect grades and standardized test scores, it's always a good idea to focus on improving during your junior year. If you look at the Common Data Set for the most selective colleges, your GPA (and sometimes class rank) and test scores are considered very important in the admissions process. So, use the remaining time you have left in high school to raise lower grades, take rigorous classes (like AP classes), and improve your scores on standardized exams.
Enjoy time with your family and friends
If you plan on going away for college, high school might be your last opportunity to consistently spend quality time with family and friends. Of course, spending time with people you care about will not directly improve your chances of getting into your dream college. But these are the things you might miss once you actually get to college. So, take advantage of the time you have left while still in high school.
Final thoughts
So, can you apply to colleges as a junior? Yes, and ultimately the decision is yours. If you can manage the workload and have enough time to dedicate to your applications, it's an option worth considering.
However, rushing to complete every part of the college application process a year in advance may hurt your chances of getting into your dream school. Applying during your junior year also doesn't guarantee admission to any college. So it might not be worth the hassle, especially when there are other activities you can do during your junior year that can help strengthen your academic profile and make it more likely you get into the college that fits you best.
Special thanks to Ameer Drane for writing this blog post.
Ameer is a freelance writer who specializes in writing about college admissions and career development. Prior to freelancing, Ameer worked for three years as a college admissions consultant at a Hong Kong-based education center, helping local high school students prepare and apply for top colleges and universities in the US. He has a B.A. in Latin American Studies from the University of Chicago and an M.A. in Spanish Linguistics from UCLA. When he’s not working, Ameer loves traveling, weight lifting, writing, reading, and learning foreign languages. He currently lives in Bangkok, Thailand.
Top values: Growth / Diversity / Empathy
