Parents of teens approaching college planning often tell me they lie awake at night wondering what their children should be doing to prepare now, whether they are on track, or if they are already somehow “behind schedule.” As a response to this, and at the encouragement of Grown & Flown, I created a practical guide parents can use to support their students as they move through high school, feeling confident that they are not missing any key college planning milestones.
Click here for a PDF of your complete college admissions timeline.
College timeline highlights:
9th Grade
The beginning of the school year as a 9th grader can be both nerve-racking and exciting. Students can expect many changes and new opportunities to arise, so handling these decisions with purpose is essential for their growth over the next four years. Start by helping students select their 9th-grade courses with care and consider the possibility of incorporating advanced courses down the road or begin to sprinkle them in across all four years.
Here’s a checklist to prepare students during the 9th-grade school year:
- Get to know your teachers and meet with them as needed
- Explore activities and clubs you can join to meet new people
- Develop or strengthen study habits, calendar use and planning skills
- Set up a healthy sleep schedule on weeknights
- Meet with your counselor to get acquainted, share your plans and goals
- Evaluate what can be strengthened for 10th grade (study skills, schedules, etc.)
- Consider how to deepen extracurricular activity involvement in 10th grade
- Read! (Best possible preparation for standardized tests)
- Be productive during summer
Parents: Run the Net Price Calculators on the websites of a few different colleges to get a sense of how much colleges will expect you to pay. If you haven’t already done so, start saving. Even a small amount every month, compounded, will help.
10th Grade
The number one thing students should focus on in 10th grade is their grades. As you probably know, colleges care more about academic performance than anything else. Go into the beginning of the school year with the mindset that it will be a strong, productive year. It’s important to show colleges that you are taking a rigorous curriculum, but not beyond the level at which you will be successful.
Here’s a checklist to prepare students during the 10th-grade school year:
- Continue to develop relationships with old teachers and new
- Maintain study habits, work and sleep schedules
- Take the PSAT or PACT if offered at your school
- Study for any AP exams to earn the highest possible scores
- Take a mock SAT and mock ACT to begin planning for standardized test prep based on results
- Brainstorm ways in which you can be as successful as possible during your junior year
- Start test prep if necessary
- Strengthen time management skills and set up structures for the following school year
Consider taking YouScience or a similar career interest assessment to impact your course selection
Parents: Note that January 1st of your child’s sophomore year is the beginning of the base year on which financial aid calculations for the first year of college will be based. The base year runs from January of the student’s sophomore year to December of their junior year. Also, Explore SAT/ACT test prep options and their costs.
11th Grade
Focus the first six weeks or so on academics due to the heavy workload. Because this is the most pivotal year in a student’s high school career, starting 11th grade with a strong foundation is important. At the beginning of the school year, start thinking about which two teachers might end up being people who will write you letters of recommendation and nurture those relationships.
Here’s a checklist to prepare students during the 11th-grade school year:
- Continue to develop extracurricular activities
- Start or restart test prep
- Communicate with your counselor about self-assessment work
- Take PSAT or PACT if offered
- Familiarize yourself with college planning software
- Read everything sent out by the college guidance office and attend all required meetings
- Make a study plan for AP exams
- Plan summer with a greater focus on activities relating to academics
- Attend college fairs
- Begin crafting resume
- Visit college campuses to see where you want to go and what you need to do to get in
Parents: Since affordability is part of college fit, it needs to also be part of self-assessment. Begin the conversation with your teen about what you are willing/able to spend on college. Research costs and options for visiting college campuses during spring break to narrow down your options.
Read here for your extensive summer to-do checklist to prepare you for your senior year.
12th Grade
The summer before 12th grade will require a lot of time and energy to prepare you for your senior year. At the beginning of the school year, meet with your counselor to finalize your list and review application information to ensure you meet your deadlines. It’s important to be well aware of the application process and your responsibilities.
Here’s a checklist to prepare students during the 12th-grade school year:
- Follow up with teachers writing your letters of recommendation
- Attend available college fairs and local college events
- Continue to focus on schoolwork
- Complete applications by their deadlines
- Withdraw applications if admitted to your top choice school
- Research residential options and housing application deadlines
- Create portal account for chosen school
- Consider applying for scholarships
- Watch all communication from the college closely for timely information
Parents: Prepare to complete financial aid applications and research submission deadlines for each college. Complete and submit financial aid applications (some may be due as early as November 1st).
