Mentoring (9th, 10th, 11th grades)
Freshman Year (9th Grade)
Focus: Foundation & Exploration
Academic Planning: Help students select challenging but manageable coursework (balance rigor with GPA protection).
Study Skills: Time management, note-taking, test preparation habits.
Extracurricular Exploration: Encourage trying a range of clubs, sports, arts, community service to discover passions.
Reading & Writing Development: Build strong communication skills early.
Summer Planning: Suggest meaningful but exploratory opportunities (camps, enrichment programs, volunteering).
Team Consideration: Students and parents often underestimate 9th grade — frame it as the foundation year where GPA starts counting.
Sophomore Year (10th Grade)
Focus: Building Depth
Course Rigor: Guide students toward honors/AP/IB classes where appropriate.
Testing Strategy: Consider PSAT, practice ACT/SAT diagnostics to identify strengths.
Extracurricular Development: Narrow down activities, start demonstrating commitment and leadership potential.
Community Involvement: Encourage consistent volunteering or a meaningful project.
Career & Major Exploration: Use assessments or workshops to connect interests with academic/career paths.
Summer Planning: Academic enrichment, pre-college programs, internships, or community impact projects.
Team Consideration: Help students avoid being “jack-of-all-trades” — encourage them to start shaping a unique profile.
Junior Year (11th Grade)
Focus: Positioning & Strategy
Course Selection: Ensure max rigor where feasible (colleges weigh junior year heavily).
Testing Plan: Formal ACT/SAT prep, AP/IB exam support.
Extracurricular Leadership: Support students in taking leadership roles or deepening involvement.
College List Development: Identify academic, financial, and cultural fit schools.
Essay Foundations: Brainstorm personal narrative, identity, values.
Teacher Relationships: Encourage building connections for strong recommendation letters.
Summer Planning: Research, internships, or capstone projects to strengthen application theme.
Team Consideration: This is the make-or-break year — both academically and for narrative building. Students should emerge with a clear admissions strategy and story.
Admissions Consulting (12th Grade)
Senior Year (12th Grade)
Finalize College List: Balance reach, match, and safety schools.
Essays & Supplements: Draft, revise, and polish personal statement + school-specific essays.
Application Management: Keep students on deadlines for Common App, FAFSA/CSS, scholarships.
Interview Prep: Mock interviews and confidence-building.
Recommendation Coordination: Ensure recommenders have info sheets and deadlines.
Demonstrated Interest: Guide students on campus visits, emails, info sessions.
Stress & Time Management: Support through application and decision process.
Team Consideration: Families need hand-holding here — clarity, deadlines, emotional support, and structured accountability are essential.