The junior year of high school intimidates students long before it arrives. It looms like a bully, threatening total exhaustion, unimaginably difficult classes, and high expectations. But students forget that each year of high school prepares them for the next; they have been building the skills and prerequisite knowledge one year at a time.
But they are right about one thing: the junior year is one of the most consequential years in the college admissions process. Roughly 70%+ of rising juniors take the SAT or ACT for the first time in fall of junior year. Selective colleges most heavily weight eleventh grade academic performance because it is the last complete academic year before application deadlines; junior year teachers are those that supply recommendations; and colleges expect students to use the year to deepen their interests, take on leadership roles, contribute to their community, and achieve high grades in rigorous courses. It is no wonder why students approach the year ahead with such trepidation, no matter how prepared they are.
So how should we help our students use the summer after 10th grade to prepare for such a seminal year? Should the summer be used for rest or resume-building? The answer is both.
After three decades guiding families through these conversations, here is what I recommend rising juniors and their parents to do with the months ahead.
Use This Summer to Deepen, Not Dabble
Sustained, multi-year engagement with one or two interests is the single strongest predictor of positive selective admissions outcomes. I’ve worked with many students who increasingly prioritize resume padding in the summer by signing up for an array of disconnected, disparate experiences: not-for credit pre-college programs, one-day volunteer experiences across a wide range of organizations, joining a sports team to seem “well-rounded.” Students who fill nearly every hour of their summer with excessive, half-hearted involvement come across as disingenuous and, ironically, disengaged.
Explore One New Academic Curiosity
Most tenth graders are not ready to narrow a list of interests to those that they will pursue in college, let alone articulate their “passions.” By this age, they should have a pretty good idea of what they like (and don’t like), but tenth graders need to continue exploring too. As they work to deepen the interests they already have, encourage them to expand their curiosity. Interested in coding? Why not take a class on ethics? The expanding role of AI in software engineering? I worked with one student who took ancient Greek over the summer to relate coding to language acquisition.
Start SAT and ACT Prep This Summer
Most rising juniors take their first standardized tests in the fall. The summer is the ideal time to take diagnostic tests in both the ACT and SAT and then prepare for the test that best suits their testing style.
Get a Real Job — or Create One
One of the best ways to learn the skills that prepare students for meaningful careers is to hold a job at some point in high school and college. Students learn how to manage their time, cooperate in teams, and demonstrate responsibility. Whether it be working to scoop ice cream or lifeguard, students distinguish themselves as people who work hard and care about doing a good job. Can’t find a job? Start one: a babysitting business, lawn mowing, tutoring. Just be sure the commitment is sustained, not a one-off experience with no genuine responsibilities or output.
Want to think through what your rising junior’s summer should actually look like?
Visit Colleges — But Keep It Casual
This is not the summer to chase prestige and identify top choices. But it can be a useful time to engage in questions about fit: urban vs. rural, large vs. small, local vs. out-of-state. Most tenth graders have not set foot on a college campus before. If family travel or running errands happens to take you near a college or university, take a drive through it or explore the main campus on foot. Do not sign up for a tour or an information session. Keep it light and ask the broad questions.
Read, Rest, and Rejoice
Reading is the single most important habit to develop, and summer is the perfect time to read abundantly. Reading strengthens vocabulary, deepens empathy, and exposes students to new ideas and new perspectives. Rest is also a critical component of summer, and those who overschedule themselves will start the new year overtired. And, lastly, rejoice in those things that make you happy: time with family and friends, exercise, travel, hobbies, fresh air. Remember, 10th graders are, well, 10th graders, not fully formed adults. Being a kid matters.
The summer before junior year is one of the most important strategic decisions a family will make — and one worth planning carefully alongside an expert.
Frequently Asked Questions
What should rising juniors do during the summer?
Use the summer to go deep rather than wide. Deepen one or two existing interests instead of collecting disconnected activities, take diagnostic SAT and ACT tests to plan for fall testing, hold a real job, read widely, explore one new academic curiosity, and build in genuine rest. The goal is meaningful, sustained engagement, not a padded resume.
Are summer pre-college programs worth it?
Yes, and no. Most colleges’ summer pre-college programs admit close to 100% of applicants, making them weak signals on an application. Those that select only well-qualified students through a rigorous application process, however, can demonstrate deep commitment and talent in a specific area of focus.
When should rising juniors take the SAT or ACT?
Most rising juniors take their first official test in the fall of junior year. The summer before is the ideal time to take diagnostic SAT and ACT tests, see which format suits the student, and begin focused preparation for that one test rather than splitting effort across both.
Should rising juniors visit colleges in the summer?
Only informally. This is not the summer to chase top choices or sign up for official tours and information sessions. If travel happens to take you near a campus, walk through and talk about broad questions of fit, like large versus small or urban versus rural. Save formal visits for late fall and spring of junior year.
How can parents help their rising junior have a meaningful summer?
This is the summer where the parent role changes. The optimization habit you may have developed in middle school to push your child to explore is no longer useful. Instead, ask your child to articulate their interests. Greet one-word answers with a gentle “tell me more,” and then offer to help them craft a summer that allows time to deepen those interests, connect them, and spend their time meaningfully.
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She began her career at Kent School as an English teacher, coach, dormitory faculty member, and assistant athletic director, developing a deep understanding of students both inside and outside the classroom. After earning her master’s degree from Northwestern University, she joined Westminster School, where she ultimately served as Director of College Counseling, guiding students and families through academic planning and highly selective admissions.
Kate later held senior leadership roles at Pomfret School and for 12 years at The Winsor School, where she oversaw grades 5–12 academics, supervised college counseling, conducted mock interviews, and helped shape institutional strategy.
Having worked as a teacher, advisor, college counselor, academic dean, and associate head of school, Kate understands how admissions decisions are made — and how to position students thoughtfully and authentically. Today, she focuses on what she values most: partnering one-on-one with young people to help them tell their stories with confidence and purpose.
