9th Grade

Whether you’re a freshman still adjusting to your first year of high school, or a college-bound junior ready to hit the ground running, it’s important to set academic and college prep goals for the fall as soon as school starts back up. Goals not only help keep students on track with their college prep, they also help students learn more about who they are, what they’re interested in, and how they can better pursue those interests. Goals can also help students stay motivated during a particularly busy or stressful time.

While it can be tempting to simply count down the days until summer break, spring semester is a prime time for high school underclassmen to prepare for the college admissions process, and for college-bound seniors to close out the year on a high note. Believe it or not, seniors, you are not off the hook just yet! Here are some tips for high school students to ensure a productive and successful spring semester.

Summer might seem far away, but it is important to start making your summer plans now. From conducting an independent project to attending a summer program at a university campus, there are several ways for students to fight summer brain drain and stay on track with their college admissions goals! It’s always been important to make sure your activities align with your interests.

For students who are in eighth or ninth grade, college seems so far away, but this spring is actually a great time to set the foundation for your future college admissions journey as you make the most of your present college prep. The choices you make now will have the immediate benefit of making your high school years enjoyable and challenging, but they will also help you to build a strong profile that will make you a competitive college applicant. The most important thing to know is that colleges do not have one type of student that they are looking for, instead, they want to see applicants who have different passions and interests.

Most savvy college applicants these days are finely tuned into the fact that it takes a lot more than being an accomplished, high-achieving student to gain a coveted acceptance to the nation's top institutions. But how exactly do you develop the best applicant profile? What can you do over your four years of high school to define your niche, find that hook, and, most importantly, become the best version of yourself that colleges will be excited to snatch right up?

It’s never too early to look into summer programs for your child. Summer programs are a great opportunity to delve into a subject more deeply, participate in sports activities, and prepare for standardized tests. Many summer programs offer subjects and opportunities you can’t find in most schools.

By Rachel, IvyWise College Admissions Counselor and Former Assistant Dean of Admissions, Swarthmore College We often associate the spring of junior year as the time to begin college prep work, however, there are plenty of things students can do earlier in high school to help position themselves to be more successful in the college admissions process. It’s never too early to lay a strong foundation for your college application season senior year. In fact, colleges look at all four years of high school grades, courses, activities, and more when evaluating applicants – so the sooner you start your college prep the better.

IvyWise counselors Victoria and Nat discuss when and how to start college prep on the college admissions podcast, giving listeners expert insight from former admissions officers. Listen Now! Making the transition from middle to high school can be an exciting, albeit intimidating process.

By Carl R., IvyWise Master Tutor  Now that the new SAT will be making its U.S.