If you’re the parent of a high-school-aged teen, you’re probably shocked to learn that getting ready for college admissions starts years in advance of graduation.

Standardized testing, extracurriculars, classes and hobbies all factor into the admissions process, and the thought of adding these elements into an already busy high schooler’s schedule can seem like an exercise in futility.

Good news, though: it doesn’t have to be overwhelming.

At AdmissionPrep.com, we believe that the college admissions process should be exciting, not stressful. That’s why we guide both students and parents through this part of the college journey with personalized support so that you’re fully prepared for every deadline, essay, and application package.

Let’s explore our proven university admissions roadmap year-by-year so you know exactly how you can best prepare your child for university application season.

Grade 9 – Foundational Year

Ninth grade is the first year of high school, so the main concern for most students is just fitting in and finding their routine. But good university prep starts now.

Acing Academics

Your teen should be trying to demonstrate academic excellence, but don’t get hung up on their GPA to the exclusion of everything else – universities look at the whole person. While AP and honors classes certainly make a good impression, encourage your child to focus on leveling up their time management skills and creating healthy study habits. These abilities set the foundation for the rest of the process.

Exploring and Iterating

Now is a great time for your child to explore what interests them. Support them in trying sports, volunteer activities, clubs, and personal projects so they can start to establish their talents and passions. These will come in handy later for their college application.

Planting Seeds

Get your child thinking about college early. Help them visit campuses, explore programs, and learn about what excites them in the world of higher education. This way, they’ll start to get clear on what direction they want to head in.

The top students start preparing for college admissions as early as grade 9. At AdmissionPrep.com, we offer guaranteed admission. See if your child's profile qualifies by taking our Program Assessment Quiz.

Grade 10 – Growth Year

By sophomore year, your child should be fairly settled into high school life. Now, the focus is on honing their interests and starting to shape their leadership roles. A well-rounded admissions application isn’t just a student’s name and GPA – it should also include diversity in skills, experiences, interests, and goals.

Becoming a Leader

If your child has found their niche, now is a great time for them to deepen their involvement. Can they become a leader in their club or group? Can they start a big project or expand their role? Tackling these initiatives now sets up a long history of leadership and ambition for college applications.

Exploring Academic Challenges

If your child can handle the basics of keeping their GPA up, now is a great time to add AP or IB classes into the mix. If these aren’t available, encourage them to pursue independent research or even sit in on college classes if nearby schools allow it.

Making the Most of Summer Break

Your child has worked hard during the school year, and they should definitely get time to rest during summer break. But breaktime isn’t just for lounging. Encourage them to use their free time to gain some experience, too. Think: internships, volunteering, or summer programs in areas of specific interest. These activities can give students a deeper glimpse into their desired fields. 

Grade 11 – Strategic Year

Building a strong college application is a marathon, not a sprint. At this point, your child should already have some useful elements to show off on their future application. Now, they can lock into the track they want to take and start to choose target schools and programs.

Researching Universities

Your child still has one more year before they graduate, but now is the best time to start zeroing in on specific schools. Start looking at brochures and doing more in-depth research online. Get a feel for the professors and campus life. Look at the school’s values and consider how they align with your child’s interests.

Preparing for Tests and Beyond

Many universities require students to share standardized test scores like the SAT and ACT. Grade 11 is a good time to start preparing, because these aren’t tests you can just show up and ace. Help your child take regular practice tests and consider investing in a tutor.

This year is also a great time to start sending out feelers for letters of recommendation. Most applications benefit from including strong recommendations from authority figures who are well acquainted with your child.

Grade 12 – Transition Year

By senior year, your child is on the home stretch. The to-do list will seem to grow constantly throughout this year, so at this point, some expert guidance and support can do wonders.

Keeping Track of Deadlines

As the year draws to a close, make sure to stay on top of deadlines and finalize applications as necessary. A little extra attention to detail now will help all those years of hard work pay off.

Scholarship Hunting

At the start of Grade 12, start looking into scholarship opportunities. Both merit-based and need-based awards often have deadlines well in advance of the first year of college, and you don’t want to miss them.

Our AdmissionPrep.com program can help you streamline the scholarship search process, matching your child with suitable awards and offering personalized tips to make their application stand out.

Visiting Campuses

When possible, visiting the campuses of the universities they’re most interested in can be a big decision-making factor. This gives them the chance to talk with students, feel out the campus vibes, and meet their future professors.

Guide Your Child Through the Process

As you can see, good university prep starts years before that first application is ever sent. Stand-out students prepare throughout their entire high school career, building not just their GPA but their experiences, leadership capabilities, and interests.

At AdmissionPrep.com, we're not just about helping students check boxes on an application. We're about empowering them to get into the school of their dreams through strategic approaches to their personal essays and application packages. Being able to brainstorm with experts is a valuable asset during this time, which is why we offer personalized guidance based on your child’s specific goals and dream schools.

Does your child qualify for our admissions guarantee? Pre-qualify your child today by taking our free Program Assessment Quiz.

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