College Planning for High School Juniors: Make The Most of Your April Vacation

As junior year comes to a close, high school students tend to feel overwhelmed by the college planning process. To utilize your time wisely over April vacation week, try to get ahead on your research and prepare your next steps for summer break. Come senior year, you will be thanking yourself for starting early. Here are some tips on how to use your time efficiently over April vacation:

Prepare a challenging schedule for senior year.
Meet with your counselor to determine what classes you’ll take next year and to make sure you’re on track for graduation. When you pick your classes, don’t load up on easy electives. Colleges do consider your senior year courses and grades, so stick with a schedule that challenges you. Take AP courses whenever possible, and consider Honors classes as well. It’s a big boost on your transcript.

Start a scholarship search.
There are lots of scholarships out there; you just need to spend a little bit of time and effort to find them. Check with your guidance office for scholarships from local organizations and use online scholarship search tools to find a wider range of options. You can also scan local newspapers to see which civic, cultural, and service organizations in your area award financial aid to graduating seniors. The sooner you start looking for scholarships, the easier it will be to select some to apply to during your senior year.

If you are considering military academies or ROTC scholarships, contact your counselor before leaving school for the summer. If you want a four-year ROTC scholarship, you should begin the application process the summer before your senior year.

Contact your recommendation writers.
Teachers and guidance counselors are often asked to write recommendations for lots of students. Consider whom you want to ask now and let them know so they’ll have time to prepare before getting tons of requests in the fall. Ask teachers who know you well and who will have positive things to say. Letters of recommendation from a coach, activity leader, or adult who knows you well outside of school are also valuable.

Apply for a summer job or internship.
Summer employment and internships in fields you’re interested in will look appealing on a college application or resume. For instance, if you’re interested in journalism, check out your local newspaper for openings or internship opportunities. If you have the time and money for it, school programs are offered in the summer months, such as Columbia University’s Summer Program for High School Students and Engineering Innovation Workshops at John Hopkins University. The money you earn can also be used to help pay application and testing fees in the fall. By immersing yourself in fields that you’re passionate about, you gain new knowledge and hands-on experience, and build yourself a nice resume.

Generate a list of schools that you’re interested in and set up appointments at your top college choices.
Request viewbooks and information about financial aid and academic programs at the top colleges that interest you. Look at local colleges—large, small, public, and private, and get an idea of what works for you. You’ll often have to plan ahead when visiting colleges. Call the admissions office to set up a personal interview, tour, and a meeting with a professor or coach if you’re interested.