Support will be provided to parents throughout the college admissions process.

The best college applicants are those who have deeply meaningful high school experiences; high school is an incredible opportunity for growth and development, and we want to help you get your student started on the right foot. Colleges want students who explore the myriad options in front of them, so students are well served by showing extracurricular curiosity during freshman year. Freshman year is also a time for developing good study habits and beginning to form the kind of deep relationships with teachers that lead to impactful recommendations. We will also discuss whether it is appropriate for your child to take SAT Subject Tests, how to interact with your high school guidance counselor, and what opportunities your student should pursue in the summer after freshman year (this is a great time for community service).

Sophomore year is the time to segue from exploring extracurricular activities to focusing on the specific activities where your student wants to make an impact as a leader. As your student faces more and more course decisions, designing the right schedule increases in importance. In addition, if your student is going to take SAT Subject Tests, sophomore year is a great time for this. Most importantly, sophomore year is a time for your student to enjoy after the adjustments of freshman year and before the pressures of the junior year.

Junior year comes by its reputation as the most challenging year in high school. There is the PSAT in the fall, followed by the SAT and/or ACT. SAT Subject Tests may be recommended at this time as well. Junior year is also the time to begin forming your student’s college list and to develop this list through college visits. This list should be designed based on your student’s abilities and personality; we will help you find schools that are a good “fit” for your student, which is just as important as name recognition. Your student should also begin stepping into extracurricular leadership roles during this year.

Senior year is when all of your student’s hard work comes together. College applications should be completed and submitted throughout the fall of senior year, keeping in mind various deadlines (beginning this process during the summer before senior year will make life easier for your student). Students may elect to retake the ACT, SAT, or possibly Subject Tests. It is important for your student to continue to work hard throughout the year since mid-year senior grades will be sent to colleges. Your student should also be sure to submit recommendation requests to teachers early in the year before recommendation requests pile too high. Additional college visits are usually conducted during the senior year. Often students visit (or, better yet, revisit) colleges where they have been accepted to help them sort through their options. Final college decisions will be made by May 1. Senior year is a highly rewarding time for students after the challenges of the junior year.