College Applications

The college application process is a singular opportunity for young people to identify and articulate who they are and what they want from their college experience. Test scores, grades, and activities only tell part of the story.

Applications that catch the attention of the admissions committee tell a story that makes the student pop off the page and stand out as an individual.

  • Colleges are looking for interesting and inquisitive people prepared to make an impact. The process of identifying and nurturing student interests can start as early as eighth grade.

    Students can and should explore myriad interests. As they progress in their high school years, we help them “water the gardens” that mean the most to them and identify opportunities that will bring color and cohesion to the application. Everything they do outside of the classroom should be authentic to their interests and manageable given their time constraints.

    When it’s time to complete the multiple sections of the application, the student will have a wide variety of experiences from which to select and more importantly, some genuine expertise and passion.

  • The Common Application and Coalition Application allow a student to list their most important activities. A resume, on the other hand, allows us to visually cluster those activities by theme. It allows us to tell the story the way we want to, freed from the constraints of the application boxes. The goal of a resume is to distill the essence of the candidate onto the page. We help craft and hone the resume through concise and targeted language.

    If the college does not allow a student to upload a resume as part of their application, we may take the opportunity to reach out to the regional admissions officer and make a personal connection.

  • Preparation is key to a fantastic interview. It's a terrific opportunity for the applicant to articulate their strengths and pitch their story. It’s also great practice for grad school and job interviews!

  • Learning to identify and tell our own stories — whether to a university or to an employer — is a critical life skill. As students move through college and into the job market, their story will evolve and change, but the ability to articulate who they are and what they want will endure.

    The application is the student’s opportunity to package and market themselves. The distinct sections should be seen holistically, not as disparate parts. There are certainly limitations and boundaries, but we are in charge of the story we want to tell.

Suggested Tasks by Grade

Eighth Grade

  • Set goals

  • Consider academic support

  • Discuss extracurriculars

  • Plan summer activities

  • Select freshman year courses

Ninth Grade

  • Revisit goals

  • Consider academic support

  • Start resume

  • Develop extracurriculars

  • Plan summer activities

  • Select sophomore year courses

Tenth Grade

  • Revisit goals

  • Consider academic support

  • Prepare/assess PSAT results & create plan for SAT/ACT

  • Continue resume

  • Develop extracurriculars

  • Plan summer activities

  • Select junior year courses

  • Complete initial college virtual information assignment; debrief and plan for more virtual/in-person tours based on convenience/preliminary interest.

  • Prep for AP tests

Twelfth Grade Summer

  • Finalize resume

  • Continue to show demonstrated interest

  • Prepare for and take SAT/ACT if necessary

  • Complete Common Application (June/July)

  • Finalize college list

  • Complete supplements (August)

  • Submit rolling applications

Twelfth Grade

  • Determine application strategy (ED/EA/RD/etc)

  • Complete FAFSA (October)

  • Proofread and submit EA/ED applications (Oct/Nov)

  • Prep for interviews

  • Complete all RD applications before Dec deadline

  • Write Letter of Continuing Interest for schools where deferred or waitlisted

  • Make a decision!

Eleventh Grade

  • Start homing in on story for college applications

  • Create and refine college list

  • Consider academic support

  • Continue resume

  • Continue developing extracurriculars

  • Prepare for PSAT (optional)

  • Prepare for and take ACT or SAT

  • Plan summer activities

  • Select senior year classes

  • Complete counselor form (student/parents)

  • Select teachers to write recommendations

  • Forge connection with recommenders

  • Visit colleges, both virtually and in person when possible.

  • Show demonstrated interest.

  • Prep for AP tests

  • Meet with Career Counselor