As the second semester gets underway, most seniors have heard from all of their Early Action schools—and while some are getting good news, I’m also hearing about a lot of deferrals, especially from popular state flagships like Michigan, UNC, UVA, Wisconsin and UMD. As you enter this new round of waiting, there’s still important work to do. You can send a letter of continued interest, and midyear grades are going out from your school counselor. Be sure to monitor each college’s portal to confirm these items are received and processed, and keep your grades strong so your final report doesn’t raise any red flags.
For students who have received admission offers, congratulations! For acceptances under Early Action or Rolling Admissions plans, colleges are now hoping you’ll enroll and may invite you to admitted student events. I encourage you to attend these programs if possible. Visiting campus, talking with current students, and learning more about academic and social life can help you clarify your preferences before the May 1 decision deadline.
As decisions come in, financial aid will be a factor for many families. If you haven’t completed your financial aid forms yet, do so as soon as possible and confirm that each school has received them. And if you haven’t yet had a family conversation about affordability, now is the time to make sure everyone is on the same page about who will be contributing and at what level. Students in Washington, DC should also complete the DC TAG application, which is now open, and you’ll have to submit both the FAFSA and your 2025 tax information to OSSE, so prioritize getting those returns filed on time.
Finally, keep an open mind. Additional visits and financial aid offers can change your perspective, and you may end up with a different ranking of your choices than you had at the start of this process. If you built your college list thoughtfully, every school you applied to is a place where you can succeed and thrive.
As we move past the midpoint of the school year, it’s a good idea for juniors to pause and refocus. How did the first semester go? Grades remain the single most important factor in college admissions, so if you’re struggling in any class, now is the time to seek support. Depending on how your transcript is structured, colleges may see semester grades or only a final year grade, but either way there is time to improve.
Beyond academics, this is a prime window to ramp up college research. Juniors should be exploring colleges online, learning about academic programs, and planning campus visits. Tours will help you begin developing your college list and spring break is a popular time, so book now before they fill up. College fairs are another efficient way to learn about multiple schools at once and to connect directly with admissions representatives. National fairs hosted by organizations like NACAC or Colleges That Change Lives, as well as local or school-based events, can be especially valuable.
It’s also not too early to get familiar with the application itself. Juniors can begin working in the Common Application by completing basic sections such as Profile, Family, and Education. Doing this now ensures you’ll already be familiar with the platform when you start digging into essays and college-specific questions in the months ahead.
Finally, if you don’t yet have a summer plan, start making it now. Down time is essential, but your summer should include meaningful activities like a job, service, or academic enrichment, while also leaving room for working on college applications and essays. The more you accomplish over the summer, the less stressful your senior fall will be.
We’re at the midpoint of the school year, a perfect time to pause and take stock. Are your classes going well? As you begin choosing courses for next year, aim for a thoughtful balance. Colleges want to see that you challenge yourself, but not at the expense of your well-being. My rule of thumb: take the most demanding classes you can handle successfully, while keeping your overall workload manageable.
Now is also a great time to start exploring colleges. Sophomores, especially, can benefit from visiting a local campus to get a feel for different environments—large or small, urban or rural. Spring college fairs like those hosted by NACAC and Colleges That Change Lives offer excellent opportunities to meet admissions representatives and begin learning what distinguishes one school from another.
And don’t forget about summer! Whether you work, volunteer, travel, play sports, take a class, or prep for standardized tests, the key is to spend your time in ways that are meaningful and constructive. Downtime is important, too. With some thoughtful planning now, you can set yourself up for a strong finish to the year and an amazing summer ahead.
Ninth grade is all about building a strong foundation for a successful high school experience. That means focusing first on academics, and with the first semester behind you, there may be signs about where some additional focus might be needed. At this time of year, you might also be choosing your 10th grade courses. Aim for a balance of challenging and manageable. Colleges value strong academics, but not at the expense of your well-being.
Equally important is exploration. If you haven’t yet joined a club, sport, arts program, or service activity, consider trying something new this semester. High school is the perfect time to experiment, discover what excites you, and begin developing interests that may eventually shape your college goals. And though summer may feel far away, this is the time to start thinking about it. A summer job, volunteering, academic enrichment, or another kind of meaningful new experience can be a great opportunity for growth.