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Novella Prep

College Planning | Test Prep | Academic Tutoring | Rye New York | Stamford Connecticut

What grade should you start applying for college?

If you’re wondering what grade you should start applying for college, the answer is your Junior year. Starting to complete application materials during Junior year and the Summer before 12th grade will, in turn, lower stress and raise the likelihood of producing your best possible application. This goal requires that parents are on board with helping motivate and support student focus as well! To learn more about our college planning program and application assistance, contact us today. We offer a free consultation and are ready to help you reach your academic potential!

Can Juniors Apply to College?

Yes! Juniors can apply to college; generally speaking, the summer of 11th grade is typically the optimal time to launch the formal application process, with May in particular being a great starting point. However, early college planning can begin well beforehand with campus visits, portfolio development, resume audits, and more.

Get an Edge on Applying for College with Novella Prep

Junior year is the grade you should start applying for college in, and the best way to get a head start is through college planning with Novella Prep. The earlier you begin your college planning journey, the better, as the more time there is to prepare, the better your chances; early college planning is also a great way to keep stress levels down for students and parents during this hectic period.

Our online college planning program is designed to provide students with the best possible techniques and strategies to achieve their highest academic and career dreams. We help students master executive functioning skills, navigate the complex world of college searches and applications, plus much more. Call today for a free consultation to see if Novella Prep is right for you.

Other Frequently Asked Questions

The best way to start college planning is right after receiving your PSAT score, particularly for sophomores, and of course for juniors. The reason? The PSAT provides an early indication of your future SAT or ACT score, and coupled with GPA and potentially AP scores, provides a powerful tool for admission officers to utilize for admissions decisions, and therefore, for you as well! But, planning in the 10th grade means becoming aware of longer-term goals and mindsets, approached at a pace that is comfortable for the student as a means toward both personal growth and planning practicality. Plus, you will need to know what requirements you will need to fulfill while there is still time to meet those needs! For tips on the visits, watch this video.

If study skills are like cardio training, and tutoring is like the skill to play a sport, we know that the foundation is endurance and the fundamentals. Same with school. Start with an evaluation of your study habits, routines, and results from your current level of effort, and then consider tutoring only if still necessary. Otherwise, tutoring without fundamentals is a costly band-aid that creates dependency. See this video to learn more.

As of January 2021, The College Board announced they will no longer be offering SAT Subject Tests to U.S. students in an effort to streamline the application process for colleges and prospective students alike. Instead, your student should focus their efforts on the Reading and Writing & Language components of the SAT, and look to utilize subject-specific AP courses and exams to demonstrate mastery in a discipline’s core competencies. For more guidance on the advantages of AP tests, here is a helpful video on this topic.

Many students are applying to ten colleges, which means starting with a list of 20 makes sense. Consider some schools, initially, that take into account family and friends’ recommendations, but ultimately, use your results from Naviance, PSAT score, GPA, and major to refine your list. Make sure it is balanced in terms of how selective each choice is. For more information, here is a helpful video.

While there is no strategic benefit to taking the SAT or ACT in terms of admission, there are some differences to the format and item types. Novella Tip: Take a free practice SAT and ACT to see what feels like a better fit for you.