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.
For seniors, this is a milestone moment. Most of you have submitted your final applications, and many are celebrating exciting admission offers—congratulations! You’ve worked hard to get here. Even if you’re still waiting on decisions or wrapping up one last application, it’s normal to feel a mix of relief, anticipation, and uncertainty. It’s an important time to stay organized and proactive. Continue to check each college’s portal to confirm that all required materials have been received, keeping in mind that it can take days or even weeks for submissions to be processed. If something appears to be missing, start by contacting the college directly, and then follow up with your counselor or teachers if needed.
If you were deferred from a school in the early round, it’s normal to feel discouraged. Just remember that deferrals are common, especially at highly selective colleges, and are not the final word. Think about what you’ve accomplished since submitting your application—strong grades, new leadership roles, awards, or meaningful activities—and consider sharing appropriate updates with your admissions representative. Your school counselor will also be sending midyear reports soon, so your schools will see the grades you’ve earned this year. (Remember that a final report will go to the college you ultimately choose, so make sure not to let senioritis get the best of you.) If a college remains your top choice, letting them know can also be helpful. You might also consider whether you need to make any adjustments to make sure your list is balanced.
Finally, if you’re considering a gap year, now is the ideal time to explore your options. Virtual and in-person gap year fairs can introduce you to programs that align with your interests and goals, and Claster Educational Services offers individual advising for your “year on.”
I hope you enjoyed your break and are returning to school feeling refreshed. Between academics, extracurricular activities, standardized testing, and college planning, this can be one of the busiest stretches of high school, but a little advance planning and a big-picture mindset can go a long way toward keeping things manageable in the months ahead.
Now is a great time to be more intentional about college research. Start by exploring the Academics and Student Life sections of college websites to get a sense of whether a school might be a good fit. If a college seems promising, head to the Admissions page to find virtual information sessions and register for in-person tours. I strongly encourage students to use professional development or administrative days, when you’re off from school but colleges are in session, to visit campuses. Spring break is another excellent opportunity, but those tour spots fill quickly, so it’s wise to book visits sooner rather than later.
Testing should also be front and center right now. Juniors planning to take the February or April ACT, or the March SAT, should be finalizing registration and beginning test prep. Choosing test dates that fit well with your academic and extracurricular schedule can reduce stress and help ensure you complete testing by the end of the summer (or earlier.) This is especially important as the spring may include athletics, AP exams, and end-of-year projects.
Juniors are also beginning to think about senior year course selection. Colleges value rigor, but balance is essential. Choose the most challenging courses you can handle successfully while still leaving time for healthy habits including sleep, exercise, and spending time with the people who are important to you. The same goes for summer activities: do something constructive (including work on college applications!) but make sure to include time to recharge as well.
Planning now can make the road to senior year far smoother and less overwhelming. I’d love to support you through this exciting time, and students who enroll in one-on-one advising by January 31 can lock in current rates. I hope to hear from you, either for a free introductory call or by email.
As the new year gets underway, which activities are energizing you, and which ones feel less meaningful? If you’ve found clubs, teams, or projects you truly enjoy, look for ways to get more involved—taking on a larger role or committing more deeply can be both rewarding and impactful. And if nothing has quite clicked yet, this is a perfect moment to explore new opportunities that might spark your interest. Volunteering is a great way to do that, and the MLK Day of Service can be a way to connect with organizations to learn about the work they do. You might consider making community service part of your summer plan, which you should be thinking about as well.
Of course, academics should remain a priority. Grades matter most in college admissions, and as you look ahead to choosing courses for next year, aim for a schedule that’s challenging but manageable. Thoughtful planning now can make junior year more productive and less stressful. For individual advising on course selection, extracurricular and summer activities, and preparing for the college search, I hope you’ll get in touch and consider enrolling by January 31, before rates increase. You can email me here or schedule an introductory call to learn more.
As we approach the halfway point of the school year, which classes are you enjoying, and where are you doing well? These questions can give you important insight, as 9th grade students will soon be asked to choose 10th grade courses. You don’t need to know your future major yet, but you may be noticing that you enjoy certain subjects more than others—whether that’s STEM, the humanities, or the arts. Paying attention to those patterns can help guide your choices. Course selection is an opportunity to explore your interests and challenge yourself—but do so thoughtfully. While colleges like to see academic rigor, balance is important too. My rule of thumb: aim for “challenging but not overwhelming.”
This is also a good time to think about how you learn best. Do you thrive with hands-on projects, in-depth writing assignments, group study, or one-on-one time with teachers? Understanding what supports your learning can help you make the most of the rest of this year by taking advantage of those opportunities.
Beyond academics, consider how you’re spending your time outside the classroom. If you’re not already involved in activities you enjoy, this is a great time to try something new. With opportunities like the MLK Day of Service coming up, you can explore your interests, give back to your community, and continue growing both academically and personally.
At this time of year, seniors are in the midst of a transition: applications are wrapping up, early round decisions are arriving, and attention is starting to shift from applying to what comes next. If you’ve already received good news from an Early Decision or Early Action school, congratulations! For students admitted through Early Decision, remember that you’ll need to submit your enrollment deposit and withdraw any applications still pending at other colleges. If you’re waiting on a financial aid offer from your ED school, you can hold off a bit—insufficient aid is the only acceptable reason to reconsider an ED commitment, and appeals are sometimes possible with the right approach.
Of course, not all early news is positive and denials and deferrals can be painful. Give yourself space to process the news, but at the same time, be prepared to move forward if you have additional applications in the works. If you’ve been deferred, there may also be steps you can take to strengthen your candidacy, such as submitting updates or reaffirming your interest, depending on the school’s policies. As you finish up Regular Decision applications or consider an ED2 choice, now is the time to finalize essays and submit before deadlines get too close—and ideally before winter break starts, when school counselors and teachers are likely to be offline.
Once applications are submitted, continue to check individual college portals to confirm that all materials have been processed. Mid-year reports will also be sent after winter break, and colleges will be looking for continued academic engagement, whether they’re still reviewing your application or have already admitted you. Finally, don’t forget to thank the people who supported you through this process, especially your recommenders.
No matter where you are in the process, I hope you’re able to enjoy a restful break and start the new year feeling recharged. And if you need guidance at any stage, I’m always happy to help.
December is a natural checkpoint in the college planning process for juniors now that PSAT scores are in, and standardized testing is starting to feel real. If you haven’t taken a diagnostic ACT yet, I recommend doing so soon, and comparing the score with your PSAT score. Having both data points lets you choose the exam that’s your best bet and map out test dates. Students with especially strong PSAT scores should also take a moment to learn more about the National Merit Scholarship competition and what the next steps may be.
In addition to deciding which test to take, think about how much prep you’ll need to get scores that are competitive for the colleges you’re interested in, and how prep fits into your schedule and budget. Then consider whether you’ll do best with one-on-one tutoring, or prefer group classes or self-paced options. And while testing still plays a significant role in admissions and merit aid eligibility, it’s also worth remembering that most colleges remain test-optional. I like to say that some are more optional than others; as you’re researching colleges, read each school’s testing policies carefully.
As colleges head into winter break your campus visits may pause, but research certainly doesn’t have to. This is a great time to explore colleges online—look beyond academics to learn about campus life, housing, clubs, support services, and overall culture. Many schools offer on-demand tours, virtual information sessions, and department-specific events that can help you decide which campuses are worth visiting in person later.
I also want to share an important financial aid reminder for parents of the Class of 2027. For your student’s freshman year, financial aid forms may be due as early as November 2026 are based on income reported on your 2025 taxes. Although many people file an extension until October, that may create a time crunch for completing the FAFSA, so now might be a good time to connect with your financial advisor to review your plans, along with your broader college funding strategy.
As your college process ramps up, you may be planning visits, thinking about senior-year courses, and exploring summer opportunities. If you’d like individualized guidance on these topics or other next steps, I’d love to help, and students who sign up by January 31 can lock in current rates. For more information, I hope you’ll get in touch.