Host Julie Lythcott-Haims asks expert Amy Young about what high school juniors should be thinking about at the beginning of 2016. Amy is the director of college counseling at Avenues, an independent school in New York City. She says if a high school junior is feeling overwhelmed or uninterested, a good first step is to visit a college campus-- it really helps a student get excited about the process. Julie and Amy answer listener questions from a parent about the value pre-college summer programs for high school students. And an AP History teacher wonders if it's a red flag to college admissions officers when AP History students do not take the AP exam. Send questions, comments, and follow us on Twitter @GettingInPod Send us an email or voice memo to gettingin@slate.com Or, call our hotline and leave a message at (929) 999-4353 Getting In is sponsored by Audible.com.Get a free audiobook of your choice at www.audible.com/college and use the promo code COLLEGE. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices