A Suggested Timeline for Students and Parents

            I recently attended a close friend’s birthday party. While I had a fantastic time catching up with old friends and sharing stories of our time in college, I couldn’t help but find myself talking a lot about work. I know…How boring! However, I wasn’t the one who necessarily wanted to talk about my college consulting practice. Instead, the main culprits were friends and acquaintances with children who were just beginning high school, and they were interested in knowing more about timelines that would help put them in the best position to apply and get admitted into college when the time came.

            So, on my drive home from the party, the idea for this particular blog was born. What better way to share my thoughts on how to best navigate this stage in the academic journey with my social circle and all of you out there! As someone who has spent the last two decades coaching students through standardized test prep (PSAT/SAT/ACT), AP prep, and the entire college application process, I have been involved in it all. So, without further ado, the following is the plan that I have developed over the years and share with my long-term students and their families.

            Let’s start with a couple of general thoughts:

              Academics – Students should challenge themselves by taking the most rigorous courses they can manage and maintaining a strong GPA in those courses. Universities place the highest importance on this factor (strong GPA in rigorous coursework) above all other elements of one’s college application. However, it is important to qualify this advice by saying that while taking a rigorous courseload is essential, it should not negatively impact a student’s ability to live a balanced life or their mental health.

              Extracurriculars – Students should also be involved outside of the classroom, not to “pad” one’s resume/activity list but because it is a healthy means of connecting and collaborating with others, good for personal growth, and crucial for students to pursue the things they are passionate about. These extracurricular activities might include athletics (school or club-based), music, clubs (academic, cultural, etc.), competitive academic teams, internships, research opportunities, community involvement, volunteer opportunities, work experience, speech and debate (including Mock Trial, Model UN, etc.), student  government, religious involvement, social activism, or even joining organizations like Boy/Girls Scouts, FBLA, etc. Now, students don’t need to involve themselves in all of these extracurriculars to the point where they are drowning in activities and struggling to maintain their studies, so I tell students to get involved in things that speak to them, the things they are passionate about.

            Next, let’s get into the specifics of my suggested timeline:

Sophomore Year – Second Semester    

1. I suggest planning to take the SAT or ACT no more than three times. Ideally, a student will identify, early on, which of the exams best suits their abilities so they can then focus on prepping for that exam. Both exams essentially test on the same skills/subject matter. However, the format and timing of each test is quite different. For context, about half of the students I work with prefer the SAT, and the other half prefer the ACT. This preference is based on the student’s individual feel. Plan on registering and prepping for the last SAT or ACT exam of sophomore year.
2. Prep for and maximize scores on all applicable AP exams.

Late Summer Before Junior Year

As time goes on in the school year, students’ verbal and math skills will undoubtedly improve. So, it’s a good idea to register for, prep for, and take the SAT or ACT exam of first semester junior year (September/October timeframe is ideal). Of course, this only applies to students looking to improve on exam scores from sophomore year.

Preparing for this test date will benefit students as they will also take the PSAT in October of their junior year. With this timeline in place, they will, in essence, be preparing for both the SAT and PSAT simultaneously. The PSAT exam that comes during junior year is the exam that “counts” because students, should they score high enough, can qualify for the National Merit Scholarship.

Junior Year – First Semester

Register, prep, and sit for the SAT or ACT exam of the first semester junior year by the end of the calendar year. Again, this step only applies to students looking to improve on previous exam scores.

Junior Year – Second Semester

1. Complete college research and develop a balanced college application list. When I say “balanced,” I am referring to a list that has a mix of schools that are considered “reaches,” “targets,” and “safeties” based on each student’s unique achievements, all of which fit a student’s personal needs and wants. Considering whether a student will be applying Early Decision, Early Action, or Regular Decision should be a part of this process.
2. Begin brainstorming for possible Personal Statement (AKA Common App Essay, College Essay) ideas/topics.
3. Prep for and maximize scores for all applicable AP Exams.

Summer Before Senior Year

1. Write College Application Essays:

• Personal Statement (AKA Common App Essay, College Essay)
• UC PIQ Essays (if applicable)
• Supplemental Essays

2. Craft Activity Lists and Write Descriptions for All Activities (UCs and Common App versions)
3. Write Bio/Brag Sheet and request Letters of Recommendation. The timeline for this will likely be over the summer and into the early part of the first semester of senior year. Some school counseling offices are really on top of this process and will facilitate this request late junior year, giving their staff time to work through these LOR requests over the summer. If this is the case, be sure to have your carefully thought-out and crafted Bio/Brag Sheet completed by then.
4. Submit well-thought-out, polished College Applications that best represent you and your accomplishments. The goal here is to finish the college application submission very early in the first semester of senior year so that the focus can shift to other priorities. The timeline for this step will take place over the summer and into the first semester of senior year, depending on when applications open. This timing and these submission dates will vary by university.

Senior Year – First Semester

1. Complete FAFSA and CSS Applications (if applicable). I suggest consulting with your school’s counseling office, as they should help facilitate this process.
2. Complete and submit Scholarship Applications (if applicable). Often, these applications will require a significant amount of essay writing.

• While large, national/global scholarships (Coca-Cola, Gates Millennium, etc.) should definitely be considered, it is essential to remember that they are national/global scholarships, which means that while the amounts are considerable, so too is the number of applicants.
• From my perspective, local scholarships are your best bet. These scholarships’ amounts are slightly lower, but the competition is less fierce. Often, school counselors have spreadsheets listing these more local scholarships. So, I suggest reaching out to them and inquiring.
• There are also many websites out there that are home to scholarships (national/global, local, etc.). If you are so inclined, be sure to check out Big Future (through College Board), Niche, Bold.org, Scholarships.com, and Unigo.

3. Some universities will require interviews as part of the admissions process. Students should thoroughly prepare for all interviews so that when the time comes, they are ready to shine.

Senior Year – Second Semester

1. Complete and Submit Scholarship Applications (if applicable). As previously mentioned, this process will require extensive essay writing.
2. Complete any requests from universities. For instance, universities may reach out to students because they need additional information to reach their decision. Be sure to provide it in a timely manner! Additionally, if a student is deferred or waitlisted, they may be asked to write a Continued Letter of Interest. This letter should also be completed promptly with the same careful thought and polished writing that went into writing the Personal Statement and Supplemental Essays.
3. Next, students will be required to decide on which college they will attend. If they are accepted to their ED school, students should be sure to withdraw their names from consideration at the other schools they have applied to.
4. Prep for and maximize scores for all applicable AP Exams.

            I hope this timeline will be helpful to all the students and parents out there (as well as my friends and acquaintances from the recent birthday party). Should you have any further questions or need expert support in any or all steps of this journey, don’t hesitate to reach out to us here at Gramma’s Jam (www.grammasjam.com). In all honesty, we do love talking about this stuff – even at parties!