What Juniors Need to Know

Okay, juniors.  Senior year is nearly upon you, and it's time to get serious about the college process (if you're not in the midst of a full-fledged panic attack already).  After spending ten days with juniors and their parents, here's what I want you to know:

1. Maximize your time at college fairs.  They can be a great chance to connect with schools and get a better sense of what you want (and get on college mailing lists without that pesky process of hopping from website to website).  Read this post for what to do and what to avoid at a college fair. 

2. Take a college tour (even if it's not at your dream school).  Until floo powder is more widely available, it's unlikely you'll be able to make an appearance at every college you're considering.  But even if the object of your affection is a thousand miles away, it's possible that a similar type of school is nearby, so you can get a sense of how you'll react to a tiny college/huge university/women's college/rural location/etc.

3. Plan your senior schedule with great care.  It matters even more than you realize.  If you're aiming for a highly selective school, you should generally plan on taking at least five academic solids next year.  Academic solids are narrowly defined as English, History/Social Science, Math, Science, and Foreign Language.  Many selective colleges don't consider courses like journalism or intro computing to be academic solids.  It's great if you're committed to an activity like band or student government, but try to make sure non-academic classes aren't eating all of your available class periods.  As far as rigor, if you're aiming for a highly selective school, then you should be planning on advanced classes even in areas that aren't your field of greatest interest.  Even if you intend to be a computer science major, take a rigorous course in English or History.  Even if you plan to be a biology major, take Physics.  And if you're applying to a school like Mudd, take the most advanced class your school offers in math.

Do note I'm writing about the senior schedule from the sole standpoint of "getting in."  There's also an argument for making the choices that are right for you, and then finding a college that will support those decisions (for example, it might be fine to fill three class periods with musical ensembles if you're considering a conservatory).  Just be aware of the potential trade off and shape your college list accordingly.

4. Communicate with your family.  Don't make your parents stalk you on FaceBook to find out where you're applying to college.  In most cases parents are making a substantial financial contribution to your college education.  Treat them with patience and respect.  Don't be embarrassed (like I was) when they ask questions in information sessions or during tours.  Don't assume (like I did) that just because they attended college back in some distant age before personal computers, they don't have helpful advice.  Remember, this is a big deal for them too. 

5. Learn to cook at least one thing -- because dorms have kitchens, and there may come a time when you want to have something other than the dining hall for dinner.  And if your friends are serving shrimp etouffee, you may not want to reciprocate with Spaghetti-O's.