Should juniors start their college applications?

Is it beneficial for juniors to begin their college applications now, or is it more typical to start during senior year? What are the pros and cons of each approach?

Answer: Whether a student should start their college applications during junior year or wait until senior year largely depends on the student's circumstances, but there are advantages to beginning the process early.

Getting an early start can relieve some of the pressure later on. The college application process can be time-consuming and complex, with many components to consider such as essays, letters of recommendation, transcripts, and more. Starting early gives sufficient time to flesh out drafts for essays and engage others in the editing process. Additionally, starting the application early might give you extra time to reach out to teachers or mentors for letters of recommendation, providing them with ample time to write a thoughtful letter.

On the flip side, starting too early might also mean that you have less experiences and accomplishments to include on your application, especially for extracurricular activities, part-time jobs, internships, or leadership roles completed during the last part of junior year or over the summer.

Having said that, even if you decide to officially start your applications in senior year, it's beneficial to begin researching and short-listing colleges of interest during your junior year. Use this time to figure out what you're looking for in a college, attend information sessions and college fairs, and schedule college visits if possible. You should also use this time to understand application requirements, deadlines, and begin preparation for any required standardized tests.

In conclusion, while the bulk of work is typically done in senior year, starting some aspects of the application during junior year can help make the process less hurried and more thoughtful.