If you are in the spring of your sophomore year, this is the time to begin thinking strategically. Junior year will be the most critical academic year in high school, and laying the groundwork now will make the college application process significantly smoother.
Here are the top five things every 10th grader should prioritize right now.
1. Determine Your Testing Strategy
This is the ideal time to evaluate your standardized testing path. Begin by taking unofficial, full-length practice versions of both the SAT and ACT. The goal is to identify which test format feels more intuitive and aligns better with your strengths.
Once you have selected your preferred test, commit to a preparation plan. Whether it is self-study, virtual or in-person classes, or private tutoring, stay consistent and adapt your approach as needed.
Key Testing Tips:
- If you have completed Algebra II by the end of sophomore year, you will have the math knowledge required for both tests.
- Most students take the PSAT in the fall of junior year. Performing well can lead to National Merit recognition, so use the summer to prepare.
- All ACT exams will be fully digital by September 2025, with a shorter format to compete with the digital SAT.
2. Finalize Your Summer Plans
Your summer before junior year is a powerful opportunity to develop your passions, explore new interests, and strengthen your college profile. While every student’s path will look different, what matters most is how intentionally you use your time.
Here are several meaningful ways to make your summer count:
- Enroll in an academic summer program that aligns with a subject you love or want to explore more deeply. Whether it is neuroscience, creative writing, international relations, or computer science, these programs offer structured learning and often connect you with like-minded peers and inspiring mentors.
- Conduct original research in a topic that interests you. This can be done independently or through a formal mentorship program. Research helps you build critical thinking skills and demonstrates intellectual curiosity—two things admissions officers value highly.
- Pursue a passion project or business idea. From launching a blog to building an app, summer is the perfect time to bring an idea to life. Initiative and entrepreneurship stand out in a crowded applicant pool.
- Participate in competitions. Whether you are submitting essays, competing in math olympiads, entering hackathons, or participating in Model UN, competitions are a great way to sharpen your skills and earn recognition.
If you have already applied to selective summer programs and are waiting to hear back, do not press pause! Use this waiting period to take ownership of your summer planning. Explore online courses, draft a personal project proposal, or try to shadow a professional in a field of interest.
And if your original plans fall through, do not get discouraged. Your Plan B can be just as great. Volunteer with a cause that is meaningful to you, or find a summer job that teaches you responsibility and communication skills. What matters most is that you stay engaged, purposeful, and curious.
Admissions officers will look closely at how you spend your summers. They want to see initiative, depth, and growth, not just stacked activities, so make sure to use your time wisely and authentically.
3. Reflect, Reset, and Plan for Junior Year
A significant and often overlooked part of applying to college is how important it is to know yourself. Use the summer to reflect—this is your moment to look back on your high school experience so far.
- What have you loved doing?
- What have you found to be challenging?
- What would you like to do differently?
- Are there activities or skills that you would like to develop that you have not done yet?
Use this time to push yourself out of your comfort zone during the summer and also to set specific, meaningful goals for your junior year.
4. Start Visiting Colleges Early
Most students wait until junior year or even senior year to start visiting colleges! But that can be too late, especially if you want to see college campuses that are farther from home. Tours often fill up quickly, travel can be expensive, and the days that you have off from school are very limited!
Find time to visit a few campuses this spring or summer. You can start with schools close to home or in destinations where your family is planning a vacation. Try to visit a mix of colleges: public and private, city campuses and urban campuses, smaller schools and larger schools.
The goal is not to find a perfect school just yet. This is just about exposure and exploring what feels right for you so that you can have a better sense of the colleges that you should continue to look into.
5. Finish the Year Strong (and Get Ahead by Prepping for Next Year)
Your sophomore year grades matter. Colleges will evaluate how you are trending academically, so finish strong and keep that trend going into our junior year
If you are struggling in any subject, seek support now by finding a tutor or other ways to gain extra help. Do not wait until final exams! During the summer, review challenging material or consider enrolling in a course to get ahead of junior year.
How Oriel Admissions Can Support You
At Oriel Admissions, we work closely with students to create a customized roadmap for success. We help students brainstorm, design, and execute self-directed projects that reflect their authentic interests.
Looking to do research over the summer? Our Oriel Ignite Research Mentorship Program pairs students with graduate-level mentors to complete original research. We also have and tutors available to support students in a wide range of academic and extracurricular pursuits.
We help students gain a fivefold advantage in college admissions compared to the national average. Let us guide your journey! You can contact us to learn more.
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