The college application process is a challenge! But with the right preparation, it doesn’t have to be. So, whether you’re a 9th grade student looking for tips on how to map out your high school experience or a 10th grader wondering when to start test prep, this article will have something for you. Our Part II blog has tips for 11th and 12th grade students.
Knowing how to plan for your college application can help save you time and unnecessary stress in the long run. That’s why this blog is jam packed with tips from our expert counseling team based on what they’ve seen the most successful students doing in 9th and 10th grade to prepare themselves for college.
However, no two students are alike, which is why Marks Education offers specific college and educational advising for students in grades 9-12. If you’re interested in more advice after this article, please contact our office to set up a free consultation.
9th Grade College Application Planning
Academics:
- Do your Best in your Courses: Focus on achieving and maintaining great grades. You don’t want to look back senior year, prepping to apply to your dream school, wishing you’d tried harder freshman year. Enroll in courses that challenge you and do your best work. If you’re struggling, find a tutor to help you strengthen skills and gain confidence. A strong GPA will help you shine on college applications.
- Explore Your Interests: Take courses that allow you to explore different subjects and identify your academic interests. This is an ideal time in your high school experience to figure out what you enjoy, what interests you, and how you hope to pursue that in the future.
Extracurricular Activities:
- Join Clubs: Explore different clubs, sports teams, or organizations that align with your interests. Colleges want to see that you’re involved and managing different interests. Check out our blog on how to engage in extracurriculars that colleges want to see.
- Community Service: Begin taking on volunteer work and community service projects. Many high schools require volunteer service hours for graduation, admission to honors societies, and much more, so it’s good to familiarize yourself and show you’re willing to help out. Look for opportunities to volunteer at an animal shelter, participate in beach clean-ups, or perform for a nursing home. Not only is this a great way to get involved, but it can help you learn about yourself and your interests.
Build Relationships
- Teacher Connections: Build positive relationships with your teachers by participating in class and seeking out help when needed. Connecting with your teachers helps them get to know you, and the ability to develop strong relationships with mentors will help when it comes time to choose college application recommenders.
- Counselors: Many high school guidance counselors don’t start meeting with students until 11th grade, but you can connect with professional college advisors ahead of time. Establishing a relationship early in the process (even through a couple hourly meetings per year) provides you with a contact who knows your story from the beginning. They can help you identify areas for improvement, highlight summer opportunities, stay organized and intentional, and guide you each year.
Personal Growth:
- Set Goals: Reflect on your long-term goals and aspirations to guide how you’ll prepare for the college application process. This might mean getting ahead before taking that rigorous computer science course, seeking out summer programs that help you learn new skills, or trying new activities to help you pinpoint interests between the humanities and STEM. No matter the case, the goal should be growth, but what kind– well, that’s up to you!
- Time Management: Begin learning effective time management skills to balance academics and extracurricular activities. You’re only going to get busier, so learning these skills now is important.
10th Grade College Application Planning
Academics:
- Continue putting your best academic foot forward: Continue focusing on maintaining a strong GPA and challenging yourself– within reason– through demanding courses. Don’t wait to seek help if you’re struggling.
- Honors/AP Courses: Consider enrolling in honors or Advanced Placement (AP) courses if available, and if necessary, seek out AP tutoring assistance to help you do your best on AP tests. Scoring well on these tests can lead to college credit later on, so be sure to take them seriously.
- Testing: If you’re planning to take the ACT®® or SAT® as a sophomore, it’s worth considering Test Prep – our tutors are available in person in Bethesda, McLean, and D.C., or remotely. Our Standardized Testing Packages are a great resource and provide customized support for students looking to start off on the right foot with standardized tests. Not sure where to start? We can help you determine which test is best for you!
Extracurricular Activities:
- Leadership Roles: When possible, we encourage students to take their involvement in a club or organization a step further. Whether this means a formal leadership role or creating a way for yourself to be more involved, we encourage students to show that they really care!
- Special Skills: Dedicate time to develop and showcase any unique talents or skills you have. Are you a dedicated photographer? Maybe your school’s photography club would be the perfect place to widen your portfolio and meet like-minded friends. Do you have dreams of becoming a lawyer? Mock Trial might be the perfect place to test your interest and gain other valuable experiences. No matter what your goals and aspirations are, there are plenty of options to help you develop valuable skills in your field of interest.
Summer Enrichment and Internships:
- Summer Programs: While you don’t need to invest in expensive summer programs to impress colleges, finding a productive way to spend your time is always valuable. Check out summer programs (like those listed here), workshops, or camps related to your interests and use them as valuable resume items or experiences to reference in your college essay.
- Work Experience: Following that same thread, try to seek out internships or even part time jobs that allow you to gain real-world experience in and outside of your field. Maybe you aren’t able to find an internship with a fashion company like you’ve always wanted, but working in a clothing store is a great way to gain foundational skills in the field and show colleges that you’re a hard worker.
College Research:
- Create a College List: It helps to start putting together a college list that aligns with your academic, professional, and personal interests. While the list will certainly change over time, this will come in handy as you start to make decisions about where to tour, apply, and eventually attend.
- Visit Colleges: If possible, you should try to visit colleges in person and attend information sessions. Not only does this help demonstrate interest, but it will help you plan your junior year in terms of test-taking strategies, tutoring needs, and college counseling plans.
Personal Growth:
- Time Management: Continue refining your time management skills as responsibilities increase. Colleges will be impressed by your ability to manage a full course load and bustling extracurriculars list, but be careful not to overwhelm yourself.
- Resilience: Colleges want to see growth when it comes time to read your application. You don’t need to reinvent the wheel or make a situation into something it’s not for the sake of application clout, but as you progress through high school consider how you’ve shown perseverance, adaptability, and courage!
Conclusion
While no one can fully plan ahead for every possibility, there are many small things you can do early in high school to be prepared for college applications. No matter what stage you are in, our advisors can help you decide what the next intentional steps are to reach your goals! Contact us today to learn more!