Junior Year: The One That Matters Most

by Lee Norwood

Let’s cut to the chase.

You’ve heard it before: Every year of high school is important.
Sure. But if we’re being real? Junior year is the MVP.

I’m Lee Norwood with College Sharks/Annapolis College Consulting—and I’m here to break it down so you don’t miss the window of opportunity that’s wide open right now. As seen in USAToday, HUFF POST and

, we are the experts who can help you keep stress low and results high!

Junior Year Is the Game-Changer

Freshman year? New and exciting.
Sophomore year? Building momentum.
But junior year? This is where the decisions start to count—for real.

Your student’s junior year transcript is the last full year of grades colleges see before they apply. That means this is the year to show up, focus on grades and testing, and do the work.

No pressure, right? (Okay, some pressure. But the good kind.)

It’s Time to Level Up

Challenge yourself with courses that stretch you—but don’t break you.
We’re talking APs, honors, dual enrollment—whatever makes sense for your strengths. This is about balance, not burnout. I prefer that you stay at your school and maximize the classes they offer, but sometimes it makes sense to head to the community college to either stretch your rigor or take things that are in your interest wheelhouse.

Start the college list NOW.

Begin with a BIG LIST (see our College Sharks video on this). Brainstorm all of the schools you have dreamed about, where friends and families have attended and those within driving distance from your home. Make official visit appointments. Visit campuses officially and hang out and feel the vibe. Ask questions. Think about fit—academic, social, geographic, and yes, financial. Big school? Small? Close to home or far away? It’s time to figure it out.

Think about testing.

Test-optional policies are still in place, but testing matters. SAT or ACT scores unlock merit aid, help with certain selective programs and make you stand out in a crowd. Testing shows college readiness and most of you are not “bad test takers” you simply do not prepare, understand the format and practice. If you’re going to test, prep now. We have several videos on this topic in the CollegeSharks.com membership and our https://collegesharks.digital-prep.com/ is a great place to get started and we also offer POWER HOURS and CRASH COURSE just before each official test.

The Secret Weapon? Organization

Look, junior year is a beast. The classes are tougher, the pressure’s on, and the deadlines don’t stop. The only way through is with a system, a study plan and plenty of rest and fun.

🦈 Track test dates, application deadlines, visits, and projects.
🦈 Connect with teachers—they’ll write your rec letters.
🦈 Take extracurriculars seriously. This is your moment to show impact, not just activity-hopping.

And if you’re overwhelmed? Welcome to the club. This is an emotional time and the best way to keep the stress meter low is to have a master plan.

Just don’t shut down. Reach out to your school counselor. Talk to your grown-ups. Or better yet—come to us. Parents love our application tracker, our college list builder and all of the resources at their fingertips. We use CounselMore.com to manage the journey.

What Most Families Miss

Start thinking about college essays.
No, you don’t need to write them yet. But start a running list of stories and moments that matter. These will be your secret sauce when it’s time to write. Here is more info on how to get help with this important chance to use your 17-year-old voice: annapoliscollegeconsulitng.com/essay-corner

Plan your summer.
Work a job. Volunteer. Take a class. Shadow someone in a career that interests you. It doesn’t have to cost a dime—but it does need to show growth and initiative. If you are interested in highly selective schools or majors, a research project is a big differentiator. Here is a link to our discussion with Polygence on student research: RESEARCH and MAJORS.

Real Talk: You Don’t Need It All Figured Out

But you do need momentum. Junior year isn’t about being perfect. It’s about progress, commitment, and curiosity.

Colleges are watching to see who’s growing. Who’s leading. Who’s showing up. You don’t have to do everything—but you DO need a plan.

And if your family’s staring at a mountain of questions—about financial aid, majors, or where to even begin—that’s what we do at College Sharks virtual college consulting and with our one-on-one offerings. If you want to DO IT YOURSELF with expert guidance, our virtual platform with a workbook is perfect for you and at a price point that ROCKS! Only $600 for the Class of 2026 or $59/month. Try it free for 14-days.

We help you take a bite out of college admissions—without the stress. 🦈
With expert advice, smart tools, and decades of experience.