2025 College Prep Timeline – What Your HS Junior Needs to Know
Dear Parents & Students
If you have a teen who is entering the second half of junior year, now is the time to start planning for college admissions. The next several months are crucial, and having a clear timeline can make all the difference.
At Tigerway, we guide students through every stage of the process to help them maximize their potential, especially on the SAT/ACT and in their HS Grades. Below is a 2025 college prep timeline to ensure your student stays on track:
Spring 2025 – Get Your College Profile Ready as much as possible
Take the Digital SAT or ACT (or plan for a summer/fall test date if not yet taken)
Begin researching colleges & building a balanced college list (reach, target, safety schools)
Explore summer activities (internships, research programs, community service, leadership roles)
Identify teachers for letters of recommendation – consider those who know your child’s strengths
Keep grades strong—junior year GPA is critical for admissions
Summer 2025 – College Apps & Test Prep Focus
College List Finalization & Visits – If possible, visit campuses to get a feel for different schools. If travel isn’t an option, take virtual tours and attend online admissions events.
College Essays & Personal Statement – Start early! Strong essays take time, and summer is the best time to draft and refine them without schoolwork distractions.
Test Prep & Retakes – If your child wants to improve their SAT/ACT score, plan at least 6+ months for preparation.
Extracurricular Strengthening – Leadership roles, independent projects, volunteering, or internships can enhance applications. Admissions officers value depth over breadth!
Scholarship & Financial Aid Research – Many private scholarships open over the summer; starting early can ease the financial burden.
Fall 2025 – The Application Crunch
📌 Finalizing & Submitting Early Applications – Early Action (EA) and Early Decision (ED) applications are due in October/November. A strong EA/ED application boosts admission chances.
📌 Confirming Letters of Recommendation – Ensure teachers and counselors submit their letters before deadlines.
📌 Refining Essays & Applications – Work on supplemental essays unique to each school. Each response should be tailored to demonstrate a genuine interest in that institution.
📌 Taking (or Retaking) the SAT/ACT – If needed, plan for a final test date before applications are due.
📌 Demonstrating Interest – Many colleges track demonstrated interest through virtual info sessions, campus visits, and admissions officer interactions.
Junior Year is incredibly important to the college application process and a strong productive can boost admission chances. We’d love to talk to you about your teen’s college prep profile and see if we can help boost SAT scores or raise grades at school through academic tutoring.
