Junior Year, College Planning Starts Now: 5 Smart Steps for Fall
Published by Wagner Prep | Your Partner in Academic ExcellenceJunior year is when college planning starts to feel real—but it doesn’t have to feel overwhelming.
At Wagner Prep, we help families simplify the process by focusing on what matters most at the right time. Junior fall isn’t about doing everything at once. It’s about laying the groundwork for testing, academics, and activities that will shape your student’s application next year.
Here are five simple but strategic steps to help your junior start strong—and stay ahead—this fall.
1. Choose Your Testing Lane
Standardized testing sets the pace for the rest of the application process. Will your student focus on the SAT or ACT? What months make the most sense to test?
Now is the time to decide and plan ahead. Most juniors benefit from:
20 hours of prep (2 hours/week for 10 weeks)
3 official test dates to improve scores and reduce pressure
Timing that works with APs, sports, and other priorities
Most students take Algebra II junior year, which shows up heavily on both tests—so we often recommend starting prep in late winter or early spring. Want help choosing dates? Check out our Month-by-Month Test Prep Guide for Juniors.
2. Focus on GPA and Course Rigor
Junior year is the biggest piece of your student’s transcript. Admissions officers won’t just look at grades—they’ll compare your student’s classes to what’s available at their school. They have access to school profiles, so they’ll know if your child took full advantage of the opportunities offered.
That doesn’t mean piling on APs unnecessarily. We help families find the right balance of challenge, interest, and support—whether through tutoring, scheduling help, or long-term planning.
3. Go Deeper in Extracurriculars
Colleges aren’t looking for a laundry list—they want to see impact and growth.
Encourage your student to double down on what matters most. That could mean taking on a leadership role, launching a project, or simply showing sustained commitment to a club, team, or cause. This fall is also a great time to explore summer internships, programs, or jobs that align with their interests.
4. Start Tracking Achievements
Don’t wait until senior year to build a résumé or activities list. Keep a running “brag sheet” now with key milestones: awards, hours volunteered, leadership titles, unique projects, jobs, sports stats—anything that reflects growth.
This makes writing the Common App activities section 10 times easier later—and ensures nothing gets forgotten under pressure.
5. Visit a Campus or Two
You don’t need a final list yet—but visiting 2–3 types of schools can spark great conversations.
We recommend checking out:
A large public university
A small liberal arts college
A tech- or arts-focused school
Don’t worry about finding “the one” right now. Visits help your student notice what they like—and what they don’t—which will make list-building much easier next spring.
What Families Say
Families who take small, steady steps see real results — and less stress.
“Mike is a superstar! He worked closely with my daughter to put together a comprehensive plan for college admissions. We got offers from 12 of the 18 schools she applied to, many with merit scholarships attached.” — Audrey C.
“I went into my first meeting without any clear path on where I wanted to go or what I wanted to major in — and ended up with scholarships from multiple schools.” — Anna M.
Ready to Build a Junior Year College Plan That Fits?
At Wagner Prep, our college advising keeps juniors moving forward — without adding stress at home. Whether your student needs help mapping out test dates, choosing the right activities to highlight, or just having someone other than Mom or Dad to keep them on track, we’re here to help.
It’s never too early to start. Many families use junior year to fine-tune activities, set smart goals, and begin crafting the story their student will tell on applications senior year. Our advisors help students see where to lean in, what to step back from, and how to make sure every piece of the application fits together when it’s time to submit.
Want to see how our hourly college advising works in real life? Read How College Admissions Support Works: Real Results from Wagner Prep’s Hourly Advising Model →
We also offer one-on-one tutoring to help students stay on top of APs, boost GPAs, and feel ready for anything junior year brings.
Reach out any time — we’d love to help your family start strong and stay ahead.
