Winter break is one of the most underrated opportunities in the college admissions process.

There’s no daily homework rush. No after-school practices. And for a short window, families actually have time to breathe—and plan.

You don’t need to do everything right now. But you should do something.

Here’s a simple, no-panic winter break checklist for high school juniors and seniors to help you start the new year organized, confident, and ahead of the curve.

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✅ 1. Review Your College List (Yes, Again)

For juniors:

• Are your schools realistic academically and financially?
• Do you have a mix of reach, match, and likely schools?

For seniors:

• Double-check application statuses
• Confirm you’ve submitted to all intended schools
• Make sure portals are set up and monitored

👉 Tip: If you can’t see yourself on that campus, it may not belong on your list.

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✅ 2. Check Your GPA & Course Rigor

Now is the time to:

• Review first-semester grades
• Identify any academic red flags
• Make a plan to improve second-semester performance

Colleges care about trends, not perfection.

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✅ 3. Register (or Re-Register) for Spring Tests

Juniors:

• Sign up for spring SAT/ACT dates
• Consider one final test if scores can improve

Seniors:

• Confirm all test scores have been sent where required

👉 Reminder: Registration deadlines sneak up quickly after the holidays.

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✅ 4. Update Your Resume or Activities List

Add:

• Fall leadership roles
• Volunteer hours
• Jobs or internships
• Awards or recognitions

This helps with:

• Applications
• Scholarships
• Recommendation letters

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✅ 5. Research Scholarships (Yes—Even Now)

Many scholarships:

• Open in January
• Have rolling deadlines
• Are less competitive early

Aim to:

• Apply for 2–3 scholarships per week
• Keep a simple spreadsheet to track deadlines

Free money is worth the effort.

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✅ 6. Check FAFSA & Financial Aid Portals

If FAFSA is filed:

• Watch for verification requests
• Check each college’s financial aid portal
• Respond quickly to any emails

If FAFSA isn’t filed:

• Make this a top priority before January deadlines

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✅ 7. Seniors: Confirm Recommendations & Transcripts

Double-check that:

• Teachers submitted recommendations
• Transcripts were sent
• Counselor forms are complete

Mistakes happen—catch them early.

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✅ 8. Write (or Refine) Essays

Juniors:

• Brainstorm essay topics
• Start a “story bank” of experiences

Seniors:

• Polish any remaining essays
• Prepare supplemental essays for late deadlines

Writing in small chunks beats last-minute stress.

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✅ 9. Schedule College Visits or Virtual Tours

Winter break is a great time to:

• Visit local campuses
• Take virtual tours
• Attend online info sessions

Seeing a campus—virtually or in person—can change everything.

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✅ 10. Have ONE Honest Family Conversation

This matters more than anything on the list.

Talk about:

• Budget and financial expectations
• Distance from home
• Support systems
• What success really looks like

College planning works best when families are aligned.

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💙 Final Thought

Winter break isn’t about pressure—it’s about progress.

You don’t have to do all ten things. Pick three. Start there.

Small steps now lead to a calmer, more confident spring.

You’ve got this.