High school is the perfect time to start thinking about your future. For most students, taking high school seriously is driven by the goal of getting into Ivy League schools or other top universities in the country. If you’re about to start high school, or you’ve already begun, you might be asking yourself, “When should I start preparing for college?”
If you’re figuring out what to do and when you should start exploring colleges, you’re in the right place. Preparing for college can feel overwhelming, but knowing when to start and what steps to take can make the process a lot smoother.
- Preparing for College: Full Timeline
- Top Tips When Applying to Colleges
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Takeaways
Preparing for College: Full Timeline
Did you know that only 1 in 5 high school students from the Class of 2023 graduated ready to succeed in their core college classes—even though most believed they were well-prepared?
That’s according to a recent analysis of ACT scores. Nationwide, students averaged 19.5 out of 36 on the ACT—a 32-year low and a drop of 0.3 points from the previous year. While the pandemic accelerated this decline starting in 2020, the reality is that college readiness has been on a downward trend for over a decade.
Here’s what’s even more concerning: more than 40% of new graduates didn’t meet the ACT’s college-readiness benchmarks in any subject, and only 21% hit the mark in all four. The rest fell somewhere in between, hitting benchmarks in certain areas but missing others.
Part of this gap comes from the changing role of standardized tests, but it highlights a bigger issue—the growing divide between students who are actively preparing for college and those who are not.
At the end of the day, this data is a wake-up call. It shows just how important it is to start preparing for college early and taking the right steps to ensure you’re ready—not just to get in, but to succeed once you’re there.
Our expert advice? The earlier you start preparing for college, the better. Why? Because starting early gives you more time to explore your interests, develop skills, and build confidence both inside and outside the classroom. Some experts even recommend that students begin as early as the 6th grade!
At AdmissionSight, we offer pre-high school consulting for students finishing elementary school and getting ready to start their high school journey. The truth is, preparing for college looks different at every stage. What a freshman needs to focus on will be very different from what a junior needs to prioritize.
But you’re not here to worry about other students, are you? You’re asking the real question: “When should I start preparing for college?”
Let’s dive in and break down all four years of high school, exploring exactly how to start preparing for college at each step along the way.
Freshman year
When you start your freshman year, you’re stepping into high school with a clean slate. Everyone’s on an even playing field, which means it’s the perfect time to start standing out with strong academic performance. Even early on, your course selection and grades are going to matter when it comes to preparing for college.
If your school offers Advanced Placement (AP), International Baccalaureate (IB), or honors courses, take as many as you feel comfortable with as soon as possible.
Why? Because highly selective colleges want to see that you’ve challenged yourself with a rigorous curriculum. Admissions officers often use your performance in these advanced classes to predict how you’ll handle college-level work—and the last thing you want is for them to doubt your abilities.
Outside of academics, your freshman year is the perfect time to explore extracurricular activities that match your interests. It’s okay to test out different clubs and hobbies, but be careful not to spread yourself too thin.
Most admissions officers look for students who consistently participate in about three to five extracurriculars throughout all four years of high school. Remember, consistency and commitment are key when preparing for college.
Also, don’t forget to establish good habits early! Create a regular study schedule and ask for help whenever you feel like you’re falling behind. These strategies will set you up for success—not just in your freshman year, but all the way through high school and beyond.
Sophomore year
By the time you hit your sophomore year, the push to take rigorous courses becomes even more important. Many admissions officers tend to focus heavily on a student’s sophomore and junior year academics when evaluating applications. So, this is the time to challenge yourself with advanced classes and give your best effort in the classroom.
At the same time, it’s also a good idea to start thinking about what kinds of careers or college majors you might want to explore as you continue preparing for college.
Outside of academics, stick with the extracurricular activities you enjoy and consider stepping up into leadership roles in your clubs, groups, or teams. Whether you’re running for a position in student government, leading a team project, or becoming a captain in sports, these experiences can help strengthen your skills and show colleges your dedication and growth.
When spring or summer rolls around, it’s also a great time to start taking practice tests for the PSAT, ACT, or SAT. Getting an early start will help you feel comfortable and confident with the different testing formats—and that’s going to make a huge difference as you continue preparing for college.
Junior year
Your junior year of high school is often considered the most important when it comes to preparing for college. This is the year to build on the academic and extracurricular success you’ve achieved so far—and push even harder.
Now’s the time to aim for leadership roles in the activities you’re passionate about, like becoming club president, team captain, or taking on a key role in a volunteer group.
On top of that, consider seeking out internships in areas you’re curious about pursuing as a college major or future career. Not only will this help you figure out if a path is right for you, but it’ll also help you stand out when it’s time to apply to schools.
Your junior year is also the time to focus on preparing for the ACT or SAT, which most students take in the second half of the year or during the summer. Carve out time to study, take practice tests, and get comfortable with the format so you can do your best when test day rolls around. If you need extra guidance, we at AdmissionSight offer private tutoring services for ACT and SAT.
By spring and summer of your junior year, you should start narrowing down the colleges you’re interested in. A lot of juniors take this time to go on unofficial campus visits to get a feel for schools and see what might be the best fit. Visiting in person can make a huge difference as you continue preparing for college and building your list of dream schools.
Senior year
We’ve all heard the cliché about high school seniors slacking off and skipping school, but if you’re serious about preparing for college—especially if you’re aiming for some of the best schools in the country—you’ll need to stay focused. This means staying committed to your academics and continuing to excel in your leadership roles within extracurricular activities.
If you’ve worked hard to earn top grades, strong test scores, and an impressive resume filled with extracurriculars, internships, and volunteer work, you might want to consider applying early action or early decision to your top-choice school (if they offer that option).
Applying early can give you a slight edge, as acceptance rates for early applicants are often more favorable, even at highly competitive schools. Plus, you’ll get your decision earlier, which can ease a lot of stress during senior year.
When it’s time to start sending out those applications, make sure you have a balanced list of 6 to 12 colleges. This list should include a mix of reach schools, target schools, and safety schools to give yourself the best possible chance.
Remember, preparing for college isn’t just about getting into one school—it’s about setting yourself up for success no matter where you land.
College preparation checklist
In summary, when preparing for college during high school, keep the following points in mind:
Freshman year
- Build strong study habits.
- Develop effective time management skills.
- Take challenging courses (honors or AP classes).
- Get involved in extracurricular activities (explore interests but avoid overcommitting).
Sophomore year
- Continue excelling academically.
- Start thinking about possible college majors or careers.
- Take the PSAT.
- Look for leadership roles in clubs or sports.
- Begin researching colleges (understand what you want in a school).
Junior year
- Start studying for standardized tests (SAT/ACT).
- Take practice tests for the SAT/ACT.
- Narrow down your college list.
- Look for internships or summer programs that align with your interests.
- Build relationships with teachers for future recommendation letters.
- Plan college visits.
Senior year
- Finalize your college list.
- Complete college applications and essays.
- Ensure all application deadlines are met.
- Apply for financial aid (FAFSA) and scholarships.
- Maintain strong academic performance (avoid senioritis).
- Compare acceptance offers and financial aid packages.
- Make your final college decision.
Top Tips When Applying to Colleges
So now that you’ve got a year-by-year breakdown of the questions, “When should I start preparing for college?” and “What should juniors be doing to prepare for college?” you might still be curious about some extra tips to help you succeed.
Let’s wrap this up with a few top tips to make sure you’re on the right track:
1. Maintain a high GPA.
Here’s the truth: it’s way harder to recover a low GPA than it is to maintain a strong one from the start. Think about it—if you slack off freshman year and finish with a C average, even if you crush it sophomore year with all A’s, your GPA will still average out to a B heading into junior year.
Sure, admissions officers love to see improvement, but starting strong and finishing strong will always give you an edge. A solid academic record is one of the best ways to stand out when you send off your applications.
2. Build strong relationships with teachers and counselors.
This tip is a game-changer for a couple of reasons. First, your teachers and counselors are incredible resources—they have tons of experience and can help guide you through challenges or big decisions.
Second, they’ll be the ones writing your letters of recommendation for college, which are a key part of the application process. Building genuine relationships now means they’ll know you well enough to write letters that really highlight your strengths.
The best part? You don’t have to force it. Show interest, participate, and be yourself—teachers and counselors will always appreciate that effort.
3. Take the SAT or ACT.
We know what you’re thinking—aren’t a lot of schools test-optional now? And you’re right! But the truth is, millions of students still take the SAT or ACT to improve their chances of admission, especially to competitive colleges.
In 2024 alone, 1.97 million students took the SAT, and another 1.4 million took the ACT. The beauty of test-optional policies is that if you take the test and don’t love your score, you don’t have to submit it. But if you do score well, sharing that score can give you another tool to prove you’re ready for the challenges of college coursework.
4. Visit campuses.
The final tip when it comes to preparing for college is visiting campuses. Most students start campus visits in the spring of their junior year—about six months before the application process kicks into high gear.
These visits are so important because they’ll help you figure out if a college feels like the right fit for you. Can you see yourself living and learning there? Does the campus vibe match what you’re looking for?
When you plan a visit, be sure to reach out to the school ahead of time. They often offer tours, Q&A sessions, or other resources for prospective students that will help you get the most out of your visit.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. When should I start preparing for college?
Start preparing for college early to build a strong foundation. In middle school or early high school, focus on academics, explore interests, and get involved in activities. By junior year, prioritize grades, take standardized tests, and research colleges. Use the summer before senior year to finalize your college list and start applications. During senior year, apply to colleges, complete financial aid forms, and maintain strong academic performance.
2. How do extracurricular activities factor into preparing for college?
Extracurricular activities play a significant role in the college admissions process. Colleges want to see that you’re excelling in academics, contributing to your community, and developing your leadership skills. It’s important to get involved in activities that genuinely interest you and aim to demonstrate leadership, commitment, and impact over time.
3. Should I take the SAT or ACT early, or wait until my junior or senior year?
It’s a good idea to start preparing for the SAT or ACT as early as sophomore year. However, many students choose to take the actual test during their junior year, as it gives you time to improve before your senior year when you’ll be submitting applications. Some students opt to retake the exam in their senior year if they feel they can improve their scores.
Takeaways
- Preparing for college is a multi-year process that requires careful planning and dedication. From your freshman year to senior year, taking the right steps will help ensure that you are ready for the challenges of college life and the admissions process.
- While in high school, do your best to excel in your subjects, prepare for standardized tests, and seek out extracurricular activities and internships. Each stage of high school offers valuable opportunities to set yourself up for college life.
- At AdmissionSight, we understand how overwhelming it can be to go through the college preparation process on your own. That’s why we offer personalized coaching services to help you every step of the way, from developing a strong academic foundation to identifying the best colleges for your goals. Book a free consultation with us today to learn more about how we can guide you!
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