A Sophomore Year College Advising Program is designed to start early, allowing students to build a solid academic and extracurricular foundation for future college applications. The focus is more on exploration and long-term planning.

1. Academic Planning & Course Selection

• Guidance on selecting courses that align with the student's strengths and interests while meeting the rigor colleges expect.

• Strategizing to build a strong academic transcript, including advice on AP, honors, or IB courses if applicable.

2. Extracurricular & Leadership Development

• Helping students explore interests and passions through clubs, sports, community service, and hobbies.

• Encouraging leadership roles and participation in meaningful activities that show commitment and depth.

3. Career & Major Exploration

• Using career assessments and aptitude tests to help students begin thinking about potential majors and career paths.

• Encouraging them to seek out shadowing opportunities, internships, or summer programs to gain real-world experience.

4. Standardized Test Prep Strategy

• Introducing the timeline for standardized testing (PSAT, SAT, ACT), providing a long-term test prep plan.

• Explaining the importance of the PSAT for National Merit Scholarships and familiarizing students with the format.

5. Summer Planning

• Offering advice on how to spend summers productively, including educational programs, internships, community service, or travel to build a strong personal narrative.

6. College Research & Visits

• Introducing the idea of college types (liberal arts, research universities, etc.) and helping students start thinking about what they want in a college.

• Encouraging students and families to start attending college fairs and planning initial campus visits to get a feel for different schools.

7. Early Financial Aid Awareness

• Providing families with information on the basics of financial aid, scholarships, and the importance of saving for college.

• Introducing resources to understand the cost of attendance and the potential financial aid landscape.

8. Building a Personal Narrative

• Encouraging students to start reflecting on their personal story—what makes them unique and how they can build a compelling narrative for college applications.

• Providing early brainstorming for personal qualities and interests that can evolve into strong college essays later on.

9. GPA Management & Academic Habits

• Teaching students the importance of maintaining a strong GPA from the start.

• Offering tips on time management, study habits, and balancing academics with extracurriculars.

By focusing on academic and extracurricular growth, self-discovery, and long-term planning, our sophomore advising program builda a solid foundation for the more intensive junior and senior years.

Our Junior Year College Advising Program guides students through the pivotal year before they apply to college.

1. College List Development

• Helping students research and develop a balanced college list based on academic performance, extracurricular involvement, and personal preferences.

2. Career & Major Exploration

• Guiding students in exploring potential majors and career paths that align with their strengths, interests, and long-term goals.

• Utilizing personality and career assessments to help students gain clarity about their options.

3. Standardized Testing Strategy

• Developing a customized testing plan (SAT/ACT) and advising on the optimal test dates.

• Guidance on subject tests, AP exams, and when to take them to strengthen college applications.

4. Course Selection Guidance

• Assisting with selecting senior year courses that demonstrate academic rigor and align with college goals.

• Advice on how to maintain a strong academic profile.

5. Extracurricular & Leadership Development

• Helping students identify meaningful extracurricular activities, leadership roles, and summer programs that align with their intended major or career goals.

• Ensuring students can present a well-rounded profile with a purposeful narrative in holistic admissions.

6. College Visit Planning

• Assisting students and families in planning college visits, including identifying key questions to ask during tours and meetings with admissions officers.

• Preparing students to make the most out of campus visits and interviews.

7. Essay Prep & Brainstorming

• Initial brainstorming for personal statements and supplemental essays, providing feedback on themes that resonate with admissions officers.

• Guidance on potential essay topics based on the student’s story and background.

8. Application Timeline & Organization

• Helping students establish a timeline for college applications, including early decision/action deadlines.

• Developing an action plan for when and how to approach each stage of the application process during senior year.

Students who successfully complete our Junior Year College Advising Program are well-prepared to begin their college applications in their senior year, with a clear strategy and a strong, well-rounded profile.

Focus here shifts to tasks on hand: finalizing college applications and essays.

1. College Applications & Deadlines

• Comprehensive guidance through each stage of the college application process.

• Creating an application timeline to meet all early decision, early action, and regular decision deadlines.

2. Finalizing College Lists

• Reviewing and refining the college list created in previous years to ensure it’s balanced and reflects updated priorities.

• Strategizing where to apply for early decision or early action, based on admissions chances.

3. Essay Writing & Personal Statements

• Helping students brainstorm, draft, and revise compelling personal statements and supplemental essays.

• Offering personalized feedback to ensure essays are authentic, unique, and well-aligned with each college’s values.

4. Letters of Recommendation

• Providing guidance on how to request strong letters of recommendation from teachers, counselors, or other mentors.

• Strategizing which individuals can provide the most effective recommendations based on the student’s academic and extracurricular history.

5. Standardized Testing Strategy (If Needed)

• For students still finalizing SAT/ACT scores, offering support with any remaining test prep.

6. Interviews & College Visits

• Preparing students for college interviews, including mock interviews and tips on how to answer common questions.

• Providing advice on final campus visits, virtual tours, or “admitted student days” for schools that have offered admission.

7. Extracurricular & Leadership Refinement

• Finalizing the student’s extracurricular profile to ensure it’s strong and aligns with their personal narrative.

• Encouraging continued engagement and leadership in meaningful activities through the application process.

8. Application Tracking & Submissions

• Helping students stay organized with application submissions and ensuring all components (transcripts, recommendations, test scores) are sent on time.

• Offering a checklist to track completed applications, essays, interviews, and financial aid submissions.

9. College Decision Support

• Assisting students in making their final decision once they receive multiple offers.

• Reviewing and discussing factors such as academic fit, financial aid offers, campus culture, and long-term career goals.

Throughout the academic year, but especially from late spring to fall, we, offer goal-oriented camps and workshops that are designed for high school juniors and seniors to navigate the college application process.

Topics explored include narrowing down which colleges are right for the student, college essay writing, best practices for filling out college applications, and more. Check out our Upcoming Classes page for the classes