Targeted Guidance:
Senior Year: Our focus will be on effective time management, completing applications, essay brainstorming, writing, editing, interview preparation, weighing the pros and cons of Early Action and Early Decision, creating a scholarship portfolio (if desired), sprucing up your special talent résumé/portfolio, applying for merit and financial aid, and troubleshooting any issues that may pop up along the way.
Junior Year: Junior year preparation is pivotal and lays the groundwork for success in senior year. Work can include: SAT/ACT planning, college research and creating a balanced list of “best fit” schools, researching a possible major, pre-writing activities, identifying recommenders, and creating a plan for summer. For student-athletes, Christine and her team will help you update your sports résumé, communicate with coaches, determine videography plan, evaluate camp options, and maximize your chances of getting recruited.
Sophomore and Freshman Years: Contrary to popular belief, there is much to do during these early years. This is especially true for students with a special interest like robotics, environmentalism, medicine, or programming, athletes who hope to play a Division I, II, or Division III sport, and artists looking to build a portfolio. Sophomore year is the perfect time to tour colleges, create a résumé, and expand your personal interests. Freshman year is the right time to think about what you enjoy doing most and look for opportunities to grow, start a portfolio, volunteer, and try new things like art or music.
And, it may sound crazy, but college planning really starts in junior high. The classes you choose in junior high might affect your course schedule in high school. The junior high years may also be a time to begin specializing in your favorite activity or sport. Parents can use this time to learn about financial aid and scholarships.
Please note that this general timeline describes what most students can expect to work on during their high school years. For some students, especially serious athletes, the timeline will be accelerated.