Four Opportunities for Juniors in High School

The pace of junior year is fast. High school curriculum and leadership expectations are challenging and demanding yet there are tremendous rewards for dedicated, persistent and talented work and engagement.

There are multiple opportunities for high school juniors to positively influence the college admissions process throughout junior year and the summer months. Consider the following actions as four pro active steps to develop intellectual and leadership talents.

1. Engage in the challenge of each class. The junior year class schedule is set and the level of rigor of the courses is known. Set goals to engage in class discussion, volunteer for projects and attend extra study sessions. Invest time with teachers to review assignments so the work is at the highest level possible. If the class is extremely interesting, consider a request for an opportunity for additional research or an outside of class project. Junior year grades are the most recent set of grades in an Early Decision or Early Action college application process.
2. Practice writing, editing, and rewriting. The Common Application essays demonstrate the college applicant's unique ability to write and to share information. Junior year writing is excellent preparation for the college essay writing process.
3. Invest in clubs and organizations. Leadership and contribution roles during junior year allow students to stretch and demonstrate tangible and intangible qualities and traits. The clubs, teams and organizations are often lead by high school seniors and faculty advisers who mentor and support leadership development opportunities. Volunteer to lead a new initiative, develop new leadership skills and benefit from these mentors.
4. Consider an application to the Joyce Ivy Foundation Summer Scholars program. Continue to visit the Joyce Ivy Foundation website for a late November announcement of the 2014 Summer Scholars program application.