When should juniors start their college applications?

As a high school junior, I'm wondering when the best time is to start working on college applications. Is there an ideal time during junior year to begin, or should I wait until senior year?

It's great that you're thinking ahead! Ideally, you could start laying the groundwork for your college applications during your junior year, even though you won't actually be able to start filling out most applications until the summer before your senior year. Here's a rough timeline to consider:

1. Spring of Junior Year: This can be a good time to start researching and visiting colleges if possible. Make a list of schools you might be interested in, considering factors like location, size, available programs, etc. This is also the time to start preparing for standardized tests if you haven't already.

2. Summer Before Senior Year: Most applications open around August 1st. The Common App and the Coalition App, for example, release their essay prompts earlier, so you can start working on those essays during the summer. This is generally a productive time to begin drafting essays without the pressure of coursework.

3. Early Senior Year: Aim to have most of your application complete by October of senior year, especially if you plan on applying Early Decision or Early Action, which typically have deadlines in November. Even if you're applying Regular Decision, it's still beneficial to have the bulk of the work completed early.

Remember, the earlier you start, the less rushed and more thoughtful your applications will likely be. The college application process can be time-consuming, so spreading the work over several months can help make the process more manageable and less stressful. Good luck!