Junior year plays key role in admissions process Advisers: Goals should be clubs, community service and good grades BY ADAM RIBACK Correspondent Adam Riback Marlboro H.S. junior Junior year in high school is the most important year to rack up the points for extracurricular activities, community service and acceptable grades, according to Helene Unger, an educational consultant from Manalapan. Junior year is the year to impress colleges by showing long-term commitments and leadership qualities in order to strengthen your college application. Christina Biagioli, a junior at Marlboro High School, has done many things to improve her chances of being accepted to the college of her choice. “I have been secretary of our class for three years; I’m in Select Ensemble, Spanish Club and chorus. I also have played the piano for nine years, danced for 13 years and have continuously done community service, such as helping out at a religious school,” she said. Christina says that one of her motives for doing these things is to stand out from other students, but she also enjoys doing activities. “It helps for college, so why not do all of these things you enjoy as well,” she said. According to Unger, most good universities are looking for a three- or four-year commitment to an area of interest. “They would rather see a solid commitment in a small number of activities than someone who does a lot of different things,” she said. “Good schools look for leadership, creativity and students who take the initiative and create community-service projects on their own that are different from the norm. It is very critical that you do something unusual to set yourself apart.” Students now must start thinking about their résumé well before the end of their junior year. Sameer Govil, a junior at Marlboro High School, has been doing community service and has been active in organizations for his entire high school career. He has volunteered at Raritan Bay Medical Center, he takes part in club fund-raisers, and he is co-president of ADAPT (Adolescent Drug and Alcohol Prevention Team) and Asha, a service club. Sameer is also the chairman of the board of the statewide REBEL (Reaching Everyone By Exposing Lies) program, which creates public awareness of tobacco and other drugs. “Part of my motive, of course, is to make my college application stand out from the others. You want to do whatever you can to make the colleges look upon your application favorably,” Sameer said. “Since you are going to be spending four of the best years of your life in college, you want to make sure you do whatever you can to ensure you go to the best college possible.” It isn’t just a question of being active in school activities or performing community-service projects, it is also a question of dealing with the pressure. “I feel nervous that every step I take … everyone is watching me,” Sameer said. “You are hoping you do everything right so you can live the best life possible. You just don’t know what’s coming at you.” “It’s very nerve-racking,” Christina said. “When you think about it, college is less than two years away and everything has to be done at once. Those nights where you stay up until two in the morning studying seem endless.” Stephanie Goldberg is also a junior at Marlboro High School. “It scares you,” she said of the significance of junior year. “You think you aren’t doing enough because you don’t know exactly what colleges are looking for.” Stephanie has been in the Octagon Club for three years and this year she is on the board. She is also part of the Spanish Club, manager of the girls softball team, and a teacher assistant for a religious school. Now that students realize everything they do counts toward their future, it makes them want to become more involved in activities and organizations in order to boost the chances of getting into a good school. “Sometimes I’m a little more cautious in what I choose to do or not do,” said Sameer. “I’ll go the extra mile to make sure I do better on that test or project.” “Junior year is the year to show you’ve improved significantly,” Christina said. “I discuss it with my friends and family, and it puts a lot of pressure on me. A lot of people want me to do my best, and that is exactly what I plan to do. If you put in minimal effort, in the long run it will affect your decision school-wise. I was talking to a sophomore in college and she said that teacher relationships are most important junior year because of recommendations.”