High School Prep
8th Grade
- Plan summer school and high school course placement with long-term academic requirements, including UC A–G requirements, in mind
- Explore leadership, service, activities, and other opportunities for high school
Planning Tool
Grades 8–12 Roadmap
Admissions work is not a senior-year sprint. Starting earlier means thoughtful choices now that open doors later. Here is what our work together looks like at each stage.
Opening Doors
9th–10th Grade
- Build and revisit a four-year academic plan as interests and goals develop
- Explore academic interests and potential areas of study
- Develop meaningful involvement through activities, leadership, service, and experiential opportunities
- Identify summer programs, internships, volunteering, and other opportunities aligned with emerging interests
- Begin exploring colleges and the factors that shape academic, social, and personal fit
These early years are about exploration and thoughtful preparation, not intensive college admissions work.
Strategy Takes Shape
11th Grade
- Testing preparation and strategy (SAT, ACT, or test-optional)
- Research colleges, visit campuses, and build a working college list
- Explore potential majors and academic programs
- Spring: shape the overall application strategy and begin personal statement brainstorming
Applications Begin
Summer Before Senior Year
- Draft and refine the personal statement through multiple rounds of idea development and revision
- Begin UC PIQs, where applicable
- Finalize the college list and overall application strategy
Month by Month
12th Grade / Senior Year
August
- Common App & UC applications open
- Finalize college list and application plan
September
- Continue/finalize personal statement & PIQs
- Request letters of recommendation
- Complete activities & honors sections
October
- Finalize EA/ED applications
- Complete school-specific supplements
November
- UC & CSU application deadlines
- Early application deadlines
UC/CSU due Nov. 30
December
- Regular decision applications
- Finalize remaining supplements
Not sure where your student should start? That is exactly the conversation I love having.
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