Starting the college admissions process in December?

Is it too late to start the college admissions process in December of my junior year? I'm worried I might fall behind other students who began earlier. What should I prioritize if I start this late?

Absolutely not, it is not too late to start the college admissions process in December of your junior year. What you should focus on at this stage is building a strong academic and extracurricular profile. This involves keeping your grades up in challenging courses, participating in meaningful extracurriculars, and potentially starting to prepare for standardized tests if you're planning on taking the SAT or ACT.

Start considering which colleges interest you and making a preliminary list of schools to explore further. Online resources can be helpful for this - look at factors like size, location, majors offered, culture, and financial aid.

Winter and spring of your junior year are also good times to start discussing your college plans with your school counselor. Your counselor can provide valuable insight about choosing the right colleges, prepping for tests and much more.

In the upcoming summer, consider how you can use it to boost your college application. That might mean getting a job, doing community service, taking a summer class. Remember that colleges are interested in how you spend your time outside of school and want to see that you are committed and passionate about your activities.

Finally, when you reach senior year, it's time to begin the application writing process, request recommendation letters, and finalize your college list. You'll be knocking those applications out of the park before you know it if you stay organized and use your time wisely. Don't stress, you are right on schedule!