Can I start my college applications in junior year?

I'm currently a junior in high school, and I've heard that some students start their college applications early. Is it possible to begin the process before senior year, and if so, what are the benefits or drawbacks?

Absolutely, there are aspects of the college application process that you can absolutely start during your junior year of high school, and there are several benefits to doing so.

First off, junior year is a great time to start researching colleges and building your college list. This process involves researching various colleges, identifying the characteristics that are most important to you (like size, location, majors offered, etc.), and then narrowing down your list to the schools that best fit your criteria. By starting this aspect of your application early, you will have more time to conduct thorough research and make well-informed decisions about which schools you want to apply to.

You can also begin writing your personal statement or the Common App essay during your junior year. The prompts for these essays are generally released in the summer, so you can start brainstorming and drafting during the latter half of your junior year. By starting early on your essays, you increase the time you have to revise and refine your work, which can help alleviate some of the stress of the application process during your senior year.

Moreover, junior year is also the time many students begin studying for standardized tests (like the SAT or ACT) and taking AP classes. Preparing for these exams early and maintaining your grades in your AP classes is crucial for creating a competitive profile.

However, there are also a few things that you will need to wait until your senior year to do. For instance, filling out the main part of your applications (via the Common App, the Coalition App, or other platforms specific to some universities), requesting recommendation letters, and submitting official test scores typically happens during the fall of your senior year.

Starting early on the college application process can alleviate some of the stress and time pressure of senior year. However, it's also important to make sure you're not taking on too much at once. Balance is key, and finding the right balance between junior year responsibilities and beginning your college applications is a way to maintain that balance.