Hey everyone, I'm a junior in high school, and I was wondering if it's possible to apply to colleges earlier than senior year. Are there any specific colleges that accept applications from juniors, or is it generally not allowed? If anyone has applied early, I'd love to hear about your experience and how it turned out! Thanks!
Hi there! It's actually quite rare for students to apply to college during their junior year, as most colleges expect applicants to have completed their high school education. However, there are exceptions—certain programs or early college entrance programs may allow high-achieving juniors to apply. For instance, the Early College program at Bard College at Simon's Rock is specifically designed for students ready to start college after 10th or 11th grade.
Just keep in mind that if you're considering this route, you'll need to have a very strong application—complete with SAT/ACT scores, letters of recommendation, and a high school transcript that includes mostly completed coursework. If you're set on applying this year, make sure to do your research on the programs available and reach out to the admissions offices of the colleges you're interested in to learn about any specific requirements or procedures. Good luck!
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