Everyone says, “junior year is the most important year” but why?

Well, junior year will be the last full year colleges see before they decide whether to admit you or not. This means it’s your last chance to impress them with stellar grades, test scores, and extracurriculars to clinch that acceptance.

In this article, you’ll learn all the reasons why junior year is the most important year and what you can do to ensure that it goes smoothly.

Related: Check out this article to learn why your senior year is also an important year and how it affects your college acceptance.

Reasons why your junior year is so important

Overview:

1. Junior year will be the last full year colleges see
2. It will be used to gauge your “current” performance
3. It will be the most academically challenging year on record
4. It’s expected to be your peak year
5. Your junior year teachers make great recommenders
6. You may need to make room for SAT/ACT prep in your already chaotic schedule

Reason #1: Junior year will be the last full year colleges see

As mentioned earlier, colleges will only have access to your 9th, 10th, and 11th-grade records (GPA, grades, test scores, class rank, extracurriculars). 

Note: Colleges may be able to see your first-term senior grades before making their decision depending on whether your high school goes by a semester versus quarter system.

This means your junior year will be your last chance to impress admissions officers with your chops so do your absolute best to end this year on a high note.

What you can do: Show colleges you are prepared for undergraduate study by taking difficult classes and participating in high-quality extracurriculars (your record should do most of the talking).

Reason #2: It will be used to gauge your “current” performance

Another reason why junior year is so important is that it will be used to gauge your current academic performance and, in turn, predict what you will be like as a college student.

And this is by design since colleges only have one goal: Admit students who have the highest likelihood of succeeding on their campus, which often means graduating within four years.

You can ease colleges’ worries by doing well in challenging classes like APs, IBs, and honors (mostly A’s and some B’s). 

Being successful in these classes shows you can thrive in difficult and stressful situations, much like what you would expect at a college. Just be sure you do well on all your AP (4’s or 5’s) and/or IB (5’s, 6’s, or 7’s) exams.

Colleges also want to see one of two trends:

1. Significant year-over-year improvements in grades from freshman to junior year
2. Consistently high grades from freshman to junior year

How well you do in junior year could spell the difference between looking like a hard worker versus a lucky slacker. 

If your “current level” marks a downward trend, it makes your high grades during 9th and 10th grade look like beginner’s luck while an upward trend will paint you as someone who is growing and learning from their mistakes.

Your options are simple: Do well from the get-go or show meaningful attempts to improve yourself.

What you can do: Take as many honors, AP, and/or IB classes as you can handle (plus do well on those exams). And satisfy trend #1 or #2.

Reason #3: It will be the most academically challenging year on record

Junior year will also be the most academically challenging year (relative to 9th and 10th grade) because it is the first time many students are not limited by what AP classes they are able to take.

At my high school, for example, freshmen and sophomores were only able to take one AP (history) class, but the cuffs came off once we became juniors.

Tip: Even if your high school does not place AP restrictions on freshmen or sophomores, it is generally recommended that you still start with one AP class and add more once you become comfortable with the challenge and develop better study skills and time management.

Additionally, much of what makes junior year more difficult is that classes here tend to rely on background information from prerequisite classes you took in 9th and 10th grade.

This is why a strong junior year can undo some of the damage from an underperforming freshman and sophomore year.

Here are three things you must consider when planning your junior year schedule: 

1. How challenging are these classes?
2. How relevant are these classes to the major/field I am interested in?
3. Can I realistically get a good grade with hard work? Are these classes manageable/reasonable at my current level?

What you can do: Take challenging classes but be honest with yourself about what you can reasonably handle and do well in (can get a B or higher). Explore classes that are related to your intended major then branch off to similar subjects.

Reason #4: It’s expected to be your peak year

Besides being the most academically challenging year, junior year is also considered your “peak year” because you will juggle a harder course load along with more demanding extracurriculars.

Colleges will be interested in the following:

• What have you done during the three years of high school?
• What does your peak year look like? 
• Have you consistently taken challenging classes?
• Have you taken on leadership roles in clubs, student government, sports, or outside extracurriculars?
• How have you demonstrated your ability to lead others or make a positive impact in your community? 
• Have you regularly taken on difficult responsibilities?
• Have people relied on you to successfully coordinate and execute plans, projects, or important events?

What you can do: Enroll in more challenging classes than sophomore year (even if it’s just one more AND you can handle it), take on additional responsibilities in your extracurriculars, and/or run for a leadership position.

Reason #5: Your junior year teachers make great recommenders

Since junior year will likely be your most challenging year, it is the perfect opportunity to showcase your academic abilities, leadership, and critical thinking.

Your teachers during this year make some of the best advocates because they are with you every single day and are able to watch you grow as you navigate your peak year.

Note: This also applies to counselors, coaches, advisors, and other authority figures.

The goal here is to show them how you approach problems, what your thought process is like, and how you respond to setbacks and failures.

What you can do: Consider teachers you’ve had in the past when planning your junior year schedule because they already know you. Network with new teachers and strengthen your relationships with familiar ones.

Reason #6: You may need to make room for SAT/ACT prep in your already chaotic schedule

I get it, you’re probably stretched thin with all of your classes and extracurriculars, but you might have to throw standardized testing into the mix.

Since junior year is your last chance to make a good impression on colleges, you definitely don’t want it to interfere with your grades or activities.

And while many colleges are test-optional, a handful still requires it but will give you the option to choose between the SAT or ACT. 

Either way, both tests are generally taken during 11th grade and are offered seven days out of the year (check out this article to learn when each test is offered).

Keep in mind that spots fill up QUICKLY so register for your test 6-8 weeks early or plan on taking it at a less popular time (earlier or later than when most students take it). 

Tip: To maximize your score, avoid taking either test until you’ve taken a full practice test and scored at or near your goal.

Tip: If you plan on taking the SAT for the first time, do so by the summer. This way, you will have enough time to retake it during the fall of senior year, if needed, before applying to colleges.

Related: Not sure whether to take the SAT or ACT? Check out this article to learn more.

What you can do: Determine whether you want to take the SAT or ACT then set aside 2-3 months to study for it. Register for the test early (aim for 8 weeks)! And prepare for it via prep books (cheap), free mobile apps, YouTube, or publicly available resources on Google (just make sure it’s from a credible website).

Concluding Remarks

Overview:

• Take challenging classes that you can manage and do well in (can get a B or higher)
• Push yourself to take on additional roles, projects, and/or responsibilities
• Really consider your junior year teachers as potential recommenders
• Be ready and able to explain low grades (if any)
• Have a plan for what test you’re going to take (if any) and when you’re going to study and register for it

High school is like a marathon – you must pace yourself most of the way then sprint the final distance.

In other words, do well during your freshman and sophomore year but end junior year on a high note so give your absolute best.

If you experienced a significant life event that interfered with your studies, be sure to write about that in your personal statement and/or the “tell us anything else” section.

Note: Low junior year grades may be overlooked if you did well in freshman and sophomore year AND this drop matches the timeline of your life event.

It might also be a good idea to ask your recommenders to write about it and detail your actions to overcome this setback.

And if you plan on taking the SAT/ACT, set aside 2-3 months to prep, and register for it 8 weeks early.