At Get Smarter Prep, we understand that preparing for college isn’t something that happens overnight. It’s a journey that requires planning, dedication, and strategy. To help you navigate this important time, we’ve created this timeline of key actions for high school sophomores and juniors. Following these steps will help ensure you’re on track for college success!

Sophomore Year: Building Your Foundation

Fall Semester

  • Focus on academics: Maintain strong grades in challenging courses. Colleges look at your entire high school transcript.
  • Explore extracurricular activities: Find clubs, sports, or volunteer opportunities that genuinely interest you and commit to them.
  • Begin career exploration: Start thinking about potential career interests and research what college majors might align with them.
  • Create a professional email address: Set up an email specifically for college and scholarship communications.

Spring Semester

  • Plan junior year courses: Work with your counselor to select challenging classes that showcase your strengths and interests.
  • Take a FREE practice ACT/SAT at Get Smarter Prep: Understanding your baseline score early gives you more time to improve. Sign up on our website for a no-obligation practice test!
  • Research summer opportunities: Look into summer programs, internships, or volunteer positions related to your interests.
  • Start visiting local colleges: Even if they’re not on your final list, these visits help you understand what to look for in a campus.

Summer

  • Engage in meaningful activities: Volunteer, work, or participate in enrichment programs to build your resume and explore interests.
  • Create a preliminary college list: Start researching schools that match your academic profile and interests.
  • Begin test prep: If your practice test results indicate room for improvement, summer is an excellent time to begin preparation.

Junior Year: The Critical Year

Fall Semester

  • Focus intensely on academics: Junior year grades are especially important to colleges.
  • Take on leadership roles: Look for opportunities to take initiative in your extracurricular activities.
  • Attend college fairs: Connect with admissions representatives and gather information.
  • Take a FREE practice ACT/SAT at Get Smarter Prep: If you haven’t already taken a practice test, now is the time to get a baseline score. Our detailed score reports highlight your strengths and areas for improvement and how best to prepare.
  • Create a standardized testing timeline: Decide when you’ll take official tests based on application deadlines and your preparation level (we can help choose the best test date for you and what type of ACT prep is best to increase your score.)

Winter Break

  • Research scholarships: Start looking for scholarship opportunities and note their requirements and deadlines.
  • Update your resume: Document your achievements, activities, and work experiences.
  • Continue test prep: Use the break to focus on improving your standardized test scores.

Spring Semester

  • Take official ACT/SAT exams: Most juniors take their first official test in winter or spring.
  • Ask for teacher recommendations: Approach teachers who know you well before the end-of-year rush.
  • Schedule meaningful college visits: Plan trips to schools you’re seriously considering.
  • Meet with your counselor: Review your academic progress and discuss college plans.
  • Prepare for AP/IB exams: Strong scores can earn college credit and demonstrate your academic abilities.

Summer Before Senior Year

  • Narrow your college list: Finalize your list of reach, match, and safety schools.
  • Draft college essays: Begin working on your personal statement and supplemental essays.
  • Retake standardized tests if needed: Summer offers plenty of time to prepare for fall test dates.
  • Visit additional colleges: Use summer vacation for longer-distance college tours.
  • Create an application timeline: Note all application deadlines and create a schedule for completing each component.

How Get Smarter Prep Can Help

At Get Smarter Prep, we’re committed to helping students navigate the college preparation process with confidence. Our services include:

  • FREE practice ACT/SAT tests: Understand where you stand with no obligation. Our practice tests simulate the real testing environment and provide detailed feedback on your performance.
  • Personalized test prep: One-on-one tutoring tailored to your specific needs and learning style.
  • Small group classes: Learn test-taking strategies in a collaborative environment.
  • College counseling: Get expert guidance on school selection, application strategy, and essay writing.
Take Action Now!

The most successful college applicants are those who plan ahead. Start by taking our FREE practice test to establish your baseline score and identify areas for improvement. This simple step will give you valuable insights and help you create an effective test prep strategy.

Sign up for a FREE practice test today!

Remember, the college preparation journey isn’t just about getting into college—it’s about discovering your interests, developing your strengths, and preparing for future success. At Get Smarter Prep, we’re here to support you every step of the way.

Questions? Contact us at info@getsmartprep.com or call (913) 322-3400.