Parents: How to Best Support Juniors in the College Admissions Process

Junior year is when the college admissions process shifts from abstract to real. In Part 2 of this parent-focused series, Nicole and Muskan break down how families can thoughtfully prepare for application season before senior year begins.

This episode walks parents through the strategic steps that matter most during junior year: being intentional about college visits, researching schools before stepping on campus, and exposing students to a range of institutional types — from large public universities to private institutions, STEM-focused programs, and liberal arts colleges. Nicole and Muskan also discuss how to begin thinking broadly about application categories, including BS/MD, BS/DO, traditional pre-med pathways, and other academic tracks.

The conversation then shifts to building a balanced college list, understanding safeties, targets, and reaches, and setting clear criteria around cost, distance, safety, and academic fit. Parents will also gain clarity around SAT/ACT testing strategy, summer planning, resume refinement, and how to structure the months leading into senior year to reduce stress.

From early counselor meetings in the spring to outlining and drafting essays over the summer, this episode provides a clear timeline and practical framework for supporting juniors through one of the most important preparatory years of the admissions process.