January To-Do List for College-Bound Juniors

January is a milestone month for college-bound high schoolers. While seniors will feel a sense of calm, having submitted all of their applications by this point, juniors will now begin the college search process if they are considering attending college.

If you will be applying to college next semester, this article is intended to provide you with a list of to-dos for January of your junior year of high school, and throughout the spring.

1. Give your senior year courses some thought
2. Spend time learning about your interests and related majors
3. Research colleges and build your list
4. Register for standardized tests
5. Consider preparing a college resume
6. Attend college fairs
7. Schedule campus visits
8. Attend college representative visits at your high school
9. Educate yourself on the cost of college

Give Your Senior Year Courses Some Thought

In a few weeks, you will be choosing your senior year classes. If you have an idea of your intended college major, do you know what courses you will be required to take to earn your college degree? You can find out by searching college websites, usually under "Academics." Most college websites will post the 4-year graduation plan for each major, which includes required courses that you must pass for your degree.

If any of these foundation classes are available in high school, you should strongly consider speaking with your counselor about enrolling in them next year. This will help you build a good foundation for college.

Spend Time Learning about Your Interests and Related Majors

Some students enter college undecided on a major, and that's okay! However, now is the time to start really thinking about your interests, talking to mentors about your interests, and researching how those interests line up with a potential career path.

The college search process is more streamlined if you have chosen a major. However, for many students, finding the right major can be difficult. In your mind, your strengths and interests may not immediately translate to a specific major. That is why it is so important that you intentionally spend time learning about your strengths and how these play into your career satisfaction in the future. Scoir partners with PrinciplesYou to provide a powerful character assessment to help with your self-reflection. 

Your college major should be decided with intent and excitement! While you can (and should!) listen to the guidance of teachers, parents, and mentors, the decision ultimately lies in your hands, not theirs. Choosing a career that closely relates to your strengths and interests is the surest way to career satisfaction and happiness.

Research Colleges and Build a List

Junior year is an extremely important year for college-bound students to begin creating a college list and spending a large amount of time considering what you are looking for in a college. You should begin your list with as many as 15 schools before you narrow down the search.

Scoir goes beyond basic college search engines by helping students to identify schools that truly align with their unique needs, interests, and cost expectations. Log in to Scoir today to begin exploring colleges and building your list in My Colleges.

Register for Standardized Tests

If you’re planning to apply to a 4-year college, it is highly recommended that you take the same test two times before entering senior year. That means you should take the SAT or ACT twice. There are numerous free test review materials available to you online. 

Our partner Test Innovators wrote an article on the 4 steps to test prep that we'd recommend checking as well.

Consider Preparing a College Resume

You will want to have a college resume prepared if you plan to compete for a highly competitive merit scholarship or apply to a competitive college. It should include your grades, class rank, major, activities during high school, leadership roles, honors and awards, community service, and work experience.  

Attend College Fairs

Attending college fairs allows you to network with the college admissions staff members who will assist you in applying to their college. This is your opportunity to ask them more in-depth questions that can't be answered in the FAQ section of their college's website or social media.

Schedule Campus Visits

Do your best to visit the colleges of your choice. If a family member cannot take you, consider asking friends and other relatives. Nothing compares to the actual feel of a campus. You can also ask current students questions about the campus and programs.

If the campus is too far away, research if they offer virtual college visits online. Scoir provides virtual campus visits through YouVisit. 

Attend College Representative Visits at Your High School

You may have already met the college representative at a college fair; however, this is one more opportunity for them to learn your name and give you more individual time. Keep in mind they are probably servicing hundreds of high schools. Always reintroduce yourself and tell them when you met them in the past. Tell them the major you are considering and share if you have been on campus or plan to visit soon. Be sure to keep their contact information, including their email and phone number, for future questions.

Begin to Educate Yourself on the Cost of College

Last, but certainly not least, is understanding the cost of college. Know your family’s SAI (Student Aid Index) and NPC (Net Price Calculator) for each college. The NPC should be found on each individual college website under "Financial Aid." If you are unable to locate it, call the financial aid office.

It is probably obvious to you by now that junior year is the year to search for colleges and senior year is the year to apply. Your junior year will be full of research and self-reflection, on top of your regular course work, but that doesn’t mean it has to be a stressful time.

The month of January is often seen as a clean slate by many, young and old. We encourage you to adopt that same attitude! As you head into spring semester of your junior year of high school, we encourage you to follow the suggestions above. Following this list can be helpful for all junior students, but can be especially critical if neither of your parents completed a bachelor’s degree.

We encourage you to share this article with your parent or guardian and begin a dialogue around your college and career goals today!

This article was originally published on January 14, 2020. It was updated on December 20, 2023 for accuracy and comprehensiveness.