As I launch our high school seniors out the door with their early college applications this month, I have one eye on the kids just entering the room: your freshmen and sophomores. I have a current sophomore myself, so I talk all the time with parents and kids who wonder how to set themselves up for college success with the choices they are making this school year.

College Checklists for Freshmen & Sophomores

There are a handful of components to the college application that are influenced by what you do now:

• High school courses (choice, level of difficulty, and grades)

• Test prep (SAT, ACT, and AP/IB)

• Activities in and out of school, including work and service

• Relationships with teachers and mentors

• College research

Choose Courses Carefully and Keep Your Eye on Grades

The most important component of the college application is the courses the student takes and the grades she earns. Your student should take the most challenging coursework available that is appropriate to her level of learning. There is a lot of nuance in that advice, and you can read more details in my blog post on how to choose coursework and how colleges assess coursework and grades.

Pay Attention to the Test-Optional Movement and How it Affects You

I’ve said it before, and I’ll say it again: it’s a test optional world, and it likely will continue to be that way forever. Some kids are ready to test long before junior year, so if testing is the right choice for your kid, don’t wait until junior year to start thinking about it. Read more on last week’s blog. 

High School Activities Do’s and Don’ts 

• Do what you love and grow in it. 

• Do push yourself to try new things and challenge yourself in your areas of interest. 

• Don’t try to be someone you are not or pad your resume in a way that is not a fit for your goals.

• Don’t stick with activities that don’t make sense for you anymore.  

To that point, check out my note on the “power of quitting” in my FB group. 

More Free College Prep Advice

I’m giving a FREE online presentation through the Maplewood Library on November 10, 2021 at 7:30 EST. Register here to attend, learn more about these topics (as well as developing teacher relationships and how to approach college research), and to receive a free video of the presentation after the event. 

You can book a free consultation with CTK College Coach any time to discuss how to set your freshman or sophomore up for college admissions success.