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Freshman & Sophomore Years

Focus: Building a strong foundation

• Encourage your student to explore academic and extracurricular interests.
• Emphasize the importance of maintaining good grades; strong GPAs open more doors.
• Start talking about potential career interests and the type of college experience they might enjoy (e.g., large vs. small, urban vs. rural).
• to build test-taking confidence.
• Introduce them to college search platforms (e.g., , ).
   

Junior Year

Fall

• Research colleges together based on academic interests, size, location, and affordability.
• Visit colleges virtually or in person to get a feel for campus culture.
• to qualify for .
   

Winter

• Create a timeline for standardized testing (SAT/ACT).
• Discuss financial aid and saving strategies; use tools like to estimate aid eligibility.
• Encourage your child to seek leadership roles in extracurriculars.
   

Spring

• Have your student and .
• Narrow down a list of colleges to 10-15 based on research and visits.
• Encourage them to connect with admissions reps at fairs or through emails to demonstrate interest.
• Begin exploring scholarship opportunities.
   

Summer

• Help your child begin drafting their college essay.
• Prepare a resume of their activities, honors, and volunteer experiences.
• Encourage summer activities such as internships, part-time work, or volunteerism.
   

Senior Year

Fall

• Finalize the college list (6-8 schools: reach, match, safety).
• Help them organize deadlines for applications, financial aid, and scholarships.
• Assist with FAFSA (available starting October 1).
• Ensure they request teacher recommendations and transcripts early.
   

Winter

• Review college applications together before submission.
• Confirm test scores have been sent to all schools.
• Research housing options and visit accepted student events, if possible.
   

Spring

• Discuss and compare financial aid offers.
• Visit top-choice schools again if needed to make a final decision.
• Celebrate their college decision!
   

Parental Role Throughout the Process

• Support, don’t pressure: This is your student’s journey. Be a guide, not the decision-maker.
• Stay organized: Create a shared calendar for deadlines and tasks.
• Be realistic about finances: Have open discussions about cost expectations and limits.
• Encourage independence: Let them take the lead in communicating with colleges.