As students across Southwest Virginia prepare to head back to school, education experts say rising high school juniors should begin taking concrete steps toward preparing for college.
According to the National Association for College Admission Counseling (NACAC), junior year is often one of the most important years of high school for students planning to pursue higher education. The organization recommends meeting with a school counselor to ensure students are taking the courses colleges expect, registering early for the PSAT, SAT or ACT, and beginning to build a résumé highlighting academics, extracurricular activities, leadership experience, volunteer work and employment.
Renea Taylor, founder of Taylor Tutoring in Roanoke, said one of the biggest mistakes she sees is students waiting until their senior year to begin preparing.
“Don’t wait until you’re a senior. Go ahead and start taking those college boards as a sophomore, as a junior even, so that you’re preparing yourself. These tests are very different … so just get familiar with the test prior to taking it,” Taylor said.
Taylor said students should take practice tests, use study apps and spend a little time each day preparing instead of trying to cram shortly before an exam.
NACAC also recommends students take the PSAT during their junior year, which can help qualify them for scholarship opportunities and introduce them to colleges looking for prospective applicants. Students should also register early for spring SAT or ACT test dates and work with their counselor to choose a challenging senior-year schedule.
Although many colleges remain test-optional, Taylor said standardized test scores can still provide an advantage.
“If you’re a strong test taker,” Taylor said during the interview, “it’s going to help position you to get admitted to that college” and may also strengthen applications for merit-based scholarships.
Beyond academics, experts encourage students to become well-rounded applicants by participating in clubs, athletics, leadership organizations, community service or part-time jobs. Colleges often review a student’s involvement outside the classroom alongside grades and coursework.
The Virginia Department of Education also encourages eligible students to consider dual enrollment opportunities, which allow high school students to earn college credit while completing high school requirements. Many of those credits can transfer to Virginia’s public colleges and universities, potentially saving students both time and money.
As students begin researching colleges, Taylor said it’s important to focus on finding the right fit rather than simply choosing the most recognizable name.
“Make sure that you are doing your research. You may think you want to go to a particular college, and it may not be a good fit,” Taylor said.
NACAC recommends students begin visiting colleges during their junior year by attending college fairs and open houses, touring a variety of campuses, speaking with admissions staff and current students, and comparing schools based on academic programs, campus size, cost, financial aid, campus culture and student support services.
Students can also begin reviewing college applications to understand what materials they’ll eventually need and start identifying teachers, counselors, coaches or employers who could write letters of recommendation.
The State Council of Higher Education for Virginia (SCHEV) also encourages students to explore career interests early and learn how Advanced Placement, International Baccalaureate, dual enrollment and other college-credit programs can fit into their future education plans.
Taylor said the most important thing students can do is give themselves enough time.
“Just ready yourself as much as possible, and above all, don’t panic,” Taylor said.
Current testing deadlines
Students planning to take the first SAT of the 2026-27 testing cycle should be aware of these upcoming deadlines:
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August 22, 2026 SAT test date
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Regular registration deadline: Aug. 7, 2026
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Late registration deadline: Aug. 11, 2026
Students should also check with their high school counselor for PSAT registration deadlines, as schools administer the PSAT during the fall and registration procedures vary by school district. ACT registration deadlines also vary by national test date and are available through the ACT registration website.
College planning resources
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