Your Countdown to College

9^th and 10^th Grade

We can meet with you to start the roadmap to college in the 9^th grade, providing guidance on:

• Taking the best classes that challenge you.
• Discovering your natural and preferred learning style.
• Developing good study habits, based on your personality and learning style.
• Dipping your toes into the college—visit waters, during school-breaks, summer or vacations.
• Selecting summer programs that provide unique experiences that are right up your ally.
• Identifying your extracurricular activities that may become the most meaningful to you.
• College financial aid.

11^th Grade

During your junior year of high school, you will get our advice on the following:

• Your Personality Preferences (MBTI©) and learning style.
• STRONG Interest Inventory® so you can identify potential college majors.
• College list development based on your personality and career preferences
• Standardized test-taking schedule best suited to you.
• Course of study that keeps you challenged academically.
• How to optimize your study skills to make the best possible grades.
• How to focus on activities you are passionate about and take them to a new level.
• Optimizing the College visit in Junior year.
• Research, explore, and visit colleges
• College financial aid.

Juniors should also note the following deadlines:

• Take the PSAT in October
• Take the SAT/ACT in May

12^th Grade

During your senior year of high school, you will get our advice on the following:

• College list: we help you refine and finalize it early in the fall.
• Your college list will include financially safe colleges for you and your parents.
• We give you the best application submission strategy. (EA, ED, RD, January admission, Gap Year )
• Maximize your senior year college visit
• Maximize your senior year college interviews
• Interview coaching: Informative, Evaluative, Competitive (e.g. scholarships)
• Applications for college: How to put your best foot forward on an application.
• Essay: how to bring out your voice.
• Supplemental essays: how to utilize them to your advantage.
• For Parents and Student: financial aid review.
• Spring of senior year: Award letters review. Evaluation of price-value relationship.

Seniors should also note the following deadlines:

• August 1 start writing your application essays
• Take time to compose your essays, personal statements, supplemental questions.
• October 1 Early Decision deadline
• October 1 FAFSA becomes available for filing. Submit by the college’s deadline
• October 1 CSS Profile becomes available for filing.
• November 1, 15, 30^th Early Action (non-binding) deadlines
• Most “Regular Decision” deadlines occur in January.
• April 1^st: deadline by which Colleges must reply to you with an admission decision
• May 1^st—students must respond to colleges