2 answers
Stella
Student
Trappe, PA
1
Question
Updated
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What are some concrete steps students can take in their senior year to show improvement and resilience if their earlier grades weren’t anything special?
I am a senior in high school. My favorite classes are english and forensics. I am committed to John Jay College of Criminal Justice for Forensic Psychology
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2 answers
Kacey Konya
Cybersecurity Consultant
7
Answers
Los Angeles, California
Updated
Kacey’s Answer
Hi Stella! Congratulations on being committed to John Jay, that is so exciting! Here are some things I would do:
1) Study hard & finish strong. Meet with your professors as much as possible for extra hands-on support. If you need any reference letters, you will have strong relationships to rely on.
2) Get involved or start something new. Colleges love students that take initiative, get create and exemplify leadership. Clubs (or sports or other extra-curriculars) are great ways to show leadership and your creativity. Find an outlet and stick with it.
Good luck, you got this!
1) Study hard & finish strong. Meet with your professors as much as possible for extra hands-on support. If you need any reference letters, you will have strong relationships to rely on.
2) Get involved or start something new. Colleges love students that take initiative, get create and exemplify leadership. Clubs (or sports or other extra-curriculars) are great ways to show leadership and your creativity. Find an outlet and stick with it.
Good luck, you got this!
Chris Harris
Recruiter
6
Answers
Sacramento, California
Updated
Chris’s Answer
Great question, Stella! And congrats on your commitment to John Jay!
Your senior year is actually one of the most powerful tools you have. Here's how to use it:
Finish strong academically --
Prioritize English and Forensics — lean into what you love. Admissions teams notice upward grade trends, so even one strong semester tells a real story.
Take on something meaningful --
Join a club, volunteer, or get a part-time job. For Forensic Psychology specifically, anything related to law, criminal justice, or mental health (even shadowing a counselor or volunteering at a community legal clinic) shows you're already living the path.
Write about the growth, not the grades --
If you have any supplemental essays or scholarship applications, use them to reflect honestly on where you started and how you've grown. Resilience is a compelling narrative.
Connect with John Jay early --
Reach out to your admissions counselor, attend any admitted student events, and explore clubs or research programs before you even arrive. Showing up engaged before day one sets you apart.
Don't coast --
Senioritis is real, but John Jay will see your final transcript. Keep showing up (it matters more than people think).
You've already cleared the biggest hurdle by getting in. Now it's about showing them they made the right call :)
Your senior year is actually one of the most powerful tools you have. Here's how to use it:
Finish strong academically --
Prioritize English and Forensics — lean into what you love. Admissions teams notice upward grade trends, so even one strong semester tells a real story.
Take on something meaningful --
Join a club, volunteer, or get a part-time job. For Forensic Psychology specifically, anything related to law, criminal justice, or mental health (even shadowing a counselor or volunteering at a community legal clinic) shows you're already living the path.
Write about the growth, not the grades --
If you have any supplemental essays or scholarship applications, use them to reflect honestly on where you started and how you've grown. Resilience is a compelling narrative.
Connect with John Jay early --
Reach out to your admissions counselor, attend any admitted student events, and explore clubs or research programs before you even arrive. Showing up engaged before day one sets you apart.
Don't coast --
Senioritis is real, but John Jay will see your final transcript. Keep showing up (it matters more than people think).
You've already cleared the biggest hurdle by getting in. Now it's about showing them they made the right call :)