Junior Year College Planning: AMA with Dr. Michele Hernandez

We had a great turnout at our recent live “Ask Me Anything” webinar hosted by Dr. Michele Hernandez. With dozens of thoughtful and sometimes urgent questions from parents of rising juniors, it was clear: the road to senior year—and to college—can feel confusing, overwhelming, and high-stakes. But it doesn’t have to.

Here’s a quick digest of some of the most common themes we heard—and Michele’s insights on how families can navigate the college admissions process with strategy, clarity, and confidence.

EXTRACURRICULARS & SUMMER PLANNING: WHAT “COUNTS”?

Parents asked:

• Are some jobs better than others for college admissions?
• Should my child work during the school year or just over the summer?
• Does it help to found a club vs. join an existing one?
• My child is attending a general summer camp—will that help their application?
• Which activities stand out for STEM students besides summer programs?

💡 Michele’s Take:
Admissions officers aren’t tallying hours, they’re looking for depth, impact, and consistency. Working a summer job, founding a meaningful club, or diving into a well-executed research project can carry just as much (or more) weight than a pricey camp. There’s no “minimum number of hours” — it’s about what your student learns and contributes, not just what they check off. A summer of thoughtful reading, writing, or research—even if less structured—can also go a long way and show initiative.

LETTERS OF RECOMMENDATION: HOW & WHEN TO ASK

Parents asked:

• When should we ask teachers or counselors for letters of recommendation?
• Is it better to ask a teacher from a core subject or someone from a specialty class like engineering?
• What if the teacher doesn’t line up with my student’s academic niche?
• How many letters are ideal—two or three?
• What should my student tell teachers when they ask for a letter?

💡 Michele’s Take:
Aim to ask before the end of junior year if possible. Teachers appreciate the early heads-up. As for which teacher: go with the one who knows your child best and can speak in depth about their contributions, not just the one that aligns neatly with their intended major or academic niche. And yes, two strong letters are usually better than three mediocre ones. There is no hard and fast rule about one STEM and one Humanities – the key is, who will write that your student is the most engaged student they have taught in 25 years…

ACADEMICS & COURSEWORK

Parents asked:

• Is it better to self-study for an AP or take a for-credit college course?
• How do we help our student stand out given grade inflation?
• Is it too late to publish a research paper this summer?
• How do you even find awards to apply for?

💡 Michele’s Take:
There’s no one-size-fits-all answer. College courses may be more valuable than a self-studied AP, especially if they show initiative or academic range. With grade inflation, what sets students apart is their initiative, creativity, and follow-through. Publishing research (even in a non-prestigious outlet), competing for selective awards, or launching a meaningful independent project can all make an impact.

COLLEGE STRATEGY: WHERE, WHY, AND HOW TO APPLY

Parents asked:

• Should we visit colleges? Does it actually help with admissions?
• Is there an advantage to U.S. colleges vs. Canadian or European schools?
• How do we find the right-fit liberal arts or business program?
• What’s the role of a video portfolio? Will a mediocre video hurt chances?

💡 Michele’s Take:
Demonstrated interest can matter, especially at smaller or mid-tier schools. Visiting campuses, attending virtual sessions, and connecting with reps can show a student’s genuine interest. Liberal arts vs. business programs call for slightly different activity profiles, but both benefit from clarity of purpose and intellectual curiosity. And no, you don’t have to submit a video portfolio, only do so if it adds something meaningful or is required.

FINANCIAL AID & SCHOLARSHIPS

Parents asked:

• How do we find merit scholarships?
• What if a school only offers need-based aid—any strategies?

💡 Michele’s Take:
It’s crucial to distinguish between merit aid (often at private or less-selective schools) and need-based aid (more common at Ivies and elite colleges). Strategizing around this means having frank financial conversations early and identifying generous schools. And yes, there are smart tactics for appealing aid packages and maximizing value.

MENTAL HEALTH, PASSION & LONG-TERM FIT

Parents asked:

• How can we reduce stress and keep morale high during the school year?
• Are there tools to help kids identify their interests or passions?
• Do you have advice for students juggling athletics but not pursuing sports in college?

💡 Michele’s Take:
This journey is long and pressure-filled. At Top Tier Admissions, our Senior Private Counselors are trained to guide students in discovering their authentic love of learning and intellectual curiosities. Through thoughtful, individualized conversations, we help students identify high-impact, organic ways to lean into what excites them, not just what they think colleges want to see. And yes—being an athlete builds discipline and resilience even if they won’t be recruited, but be wary of the time commitment if its impacting other extracurriculars or academic performance.

JUNIOR YEAR: STRATEGIC PLANNING STARTS NOW

Senior year is around the corner, but there’s still time to make meaningful, strategic choices. Time to reflect, time to plan, and time to shift the focus from checking boxes to telling a compelling story. Thank you to all the parents who showed up ready to ask bold, insightful questions. We’re honored to guide you—and your students—through this journey.

MISSED THE WEBINAR?

Reach out to our team or explore our resources at Top Tier Admissions. We’re here to help.