Juniors

College Admissions

Working on the college admissions process as a junior is the right time to get started. If you have the ability to do this work sooner, it’s always better because you will have less pressure and more of a targeted plan that will support you in getting into the school of your choice and finding money to pay for it.

But, that said, many students don’t really get serious about getting into college until this time. So congratulations, if this is you or your student, you’re in the right place.I have worked with high school juniors for more than 30 years. It’s my pleasure to support them through the college admissions process.

When we work together, I ensure that your student is fully prepared for college and involved in this entire experience. This is how we help them in a mature way as they prepare for their next great adventure. I only work with 15 students per grade per year to insure that your child has the one on one support needed.

My Process To Help You Prepare For College Is Comprehensive. When You Work With Me, I Will Guide You Through

A thorough review of your child’s academic progress
Admission process
A thorough understanding of the importance of the SAT and ACT, including a discussion of test prep
College selection
Essay coaching and support
Application guidance
Financial aid and FAFSA support
Final college selection options

It all begins with a consultation. If you would like to speak with me to explore working together to best support your child through the maze that is college admissions today, please contact me at

Below you’ll find more comprehensive information about each part of the college admissions process. When we meet by phone or Zoom I am happy to answer any questions you have that are not addressed below.

We Begin With a Comprehensive Student Evaluation

To help prepare kids for college, I give all applicants access to well-vetted assessments, such as the Myers Briggs and the Strong Interest Inventory to determine their personality type. This helps direct us towards the best college majors and careers for the student’s strengths and learning style.

We complete a thorough evaluation of the applicant’s high school transcript, standardized test scores, any 504 plans or IEP’s, social media profiles, extracurricular activities, volunteer work, summer experiences, and special talents. Suggestions are made to improve the student’s academic, extracurricular, and service hours to help enhance and balance your student’s profile.

We complete an in-depth 90-minute interview of both the applicant and the family in order to develop an overall strategy for the college application process. From here, I will help you begin the process of crafting a college list.

We also explore crucial information on college affordability, college expenses and the realistic chance for need or merit aid.

Finally, I offer practical advice on steps needed to improve grade point average, test scores, leadership and/or volunteer activities.

We Begin With a Comprehensive Student Evaluation

To help prepare kids for college, I give all applicants access to well-vetted assessments, such as the Myers Briggs and the Strong Interest Inventory to determine their personality type. This helps direct us towards the best college majors and careers for the student’s strengths and learning style.
We complete a thorough evaluation of the applicant’s high school transcript, standardized test scores, any 504 plans or IEP’s, social media profiles, extracurricular activities, volunteer work, summer experiences, and special talents. Suggestions are made to improve the student’s academic, extracurricular, and service hours to help enhance and balance your student’s profile.
We complete an in-depth 90-minute interview of both the applicant and the family in order to develop an overall strategy for the college application process. From here, I will help you begin the process of crafting a college list.
We also explore crucial information on college affordability, college expenses and the realistic chance for need or merit aid.
Finally, I offer practical advice on steps needed to improve grade point average, test scores, leadership and/or volunteer activities.

Next, We Focus On Finding A List Of Colleges That Are A Match For The Student’s Interests And Intended Major

We develop a list of “right-fit” colleges for the applicant to research and visit.

I also guide your student through researching each of the schools, using Guided Path, a proprietary software platform, as well as social media sites and the college’s own website so a realistic review of college life and academic potential are in view.

As we narrow down the list of schools, we develop a plan for visiting colleges, including your specific “questions” to ask so you can feel assured the college selected can meet your personal needs, whatever those may be.

I offer in-depth advise on the importance of visiting colleges, including: meeting with professions in your choosen major, eating in the cafeteria and experiencing "campus life."

Meeting with any personnel in your field of interest, including athletic coaches and other extracurricular activities that are desired for a full campus experience.

I assist you in creating your “final list of colleges” when you’re ready, taking into consideration: varying degree of admission difficulty, affordability, backup plans and more.

We thoroughly explore all college deadlines, including all of the positive and negative outcomes of applying for an “early decision.”

For all students and families, I offer unlimited support via email and text. We also meet in-person or by phone or Zoom bi-weekly throughout the junior year.

During our coaching time together, we also complete an extracurricular resume that includes honors, leadership and volunteer experiences.

We explore the importance of academic recommendations and select the academic teachers to request recommendations from. This is an important “junior year” activity.

Finally I practice with prep and role playing any admission interviews that could happen before the end of junior year.

We develop a list of “right-fit” colleges for the applicant to research and visit.
I also guide your student through researching each of the schools, using Guided Path, a proprietary software platform, as well as social media sites and the college’s own website so a realistic review of college life and academic potential are in view.
As we narrow down the list of schools, we develop a plan for visiting colleges, including your specific “questions” to ask so you can feel assured the college selected can meet your personal needs, whatever those may be.

Meeting with professors in your chosen major
Eating in the cafeteria and experiencing “campus life”
Meeting with any personnel in your field of interest, including athletic coaches and other extracurricular activities that are desired for a full campus experience

Varying degree of admission difficulty
Affordability
Backup plans and mor

For all students and families, I offer unlimited support via email and text. We also meet in-person or by phone or Zoom bi-weekly throughout the junior year.
During our coaching time together, we also complete an extracurricular resume that includes honors, leadership and volunteer experiences.
We explore the importance of academic recommendations and select the academic teachers to request recommendations from. This is an important “junior year” activity.
Finally I practice with prep and role playing any admission interviews that could happen before the end of junior year.

College Testing & Testing Advice

We review the importance of the SAT or ACT in the college application process.
The testing process begins with the strong recommendation that the PSAT is completed in October of their junior year.
We explore with students and parents the role of “test optional” in today’s admissions process.
Finally, we create your action plan for taking at least two college tests in the student’s junior year, including a discussion of test prep options.

Finally, We Introduce And Complete Your Primary College Essay

I guide and instruct students through a step-by-step process for writing effective essays that are well written, polished and self reflective. This includes:

A detailed explanation of what admission counselors are looking for in your college essay
Coaching support to help you select a college essay topic that is engaging, self-reflective and answers the “common application”
Writing exercises to support the student in adding interesting and engaging details and opening paragraphs.
Editorial support/guidance to help revise your essay in such a way that the main theme is maintained throughout the piece.
Grammatical support so the final essay is polished and a strong representation of your student’s skills and strengths.

Your junior year is an exciting time. It’s also a critical time to prepare for college and really dive into the college admissions process. Leveraging your junior year in an intelligent way will remove the drama and stress of getting into college. Opening up greater options and possibilities for your college future. I make this process easier for parents and students and would love to talk if you’re interested in simplifying your life and making getting into college easier for everyone. To get started

College Admissions Timeline Launching College Success Junior Year

August and September

Review class schedule for fall

Explanation and completion of extra-curricular resume in preparation for completion of Honor Society application

Give Myers-Briggs + Strong. Review with student and parent

Extensive interview with student and parent

Assign student to research career interests, using onetonline.org

Create a first list of 10 colleges for students to review

Advise students to take PSAT in October; discuss National Merit

October

Check in about grades and honor societies

Discuss what student learned about majors

Continue to research and revise college list based on research

Create Guided Path account if not already done so

Discuss and encourage student and parent to visit one or two colleges, even if not on list

Take the PSAT

November

Continue to research and revise college list

Introduce and teach about creating an extracurricular resume

Plan college visits

Discuss and plan for SAT/ACT

Create action plan for taking exam

December

Continue to review and revise college list

Complete extracurricular resume

Review junior year grades to present

January

Review junior year grades to present

Give Myers-Briggs + Strong

Begin to look at colleges

Set up Guided Path account

Extensive interview with parents and student separately

Review results of PSAT

February

Review grades for semester 1

Request an updated transcript

Discuss and advise on classes for following year

Discuss and advise on extra-curricular, volunteering, leadership

Begin extracurricular resume

Give Myers-Briggs + Strong

Begin to look at colleges

Set up Guided Path Account

Extensive interview with parents and students separately

March and April

All action steps completed in January and February, and:

Research colleges on list, using college website, at least two social media sites and Guided Path

Revise college list, based on research

Complete extracurricular resume

Begin College Visits

Take first SAT/ACT

Discuss and advise on the importance of test prep

May

All action steps completed above, and:

Brainstorm and coach student on writing, revising and editing first essay for all colleges

Detailed explanation with students and parents about the importance of college deadlines, including early decision.

Discussion of and decision on when students will complete and send in their college application in the fall of their senior year

June

All action steps completed above, and:

Essay coaching- students will complete one 650 word essay this month

Discussion with student and parent on the importance of letters of recommendation.

Student will decide and speak with one or two teachers/recommenders beforeschool ends for summer

LCS WILL STOP ACCEPTING STUDENTS FOR THIS CLASS BY THE END OF JUNE

Get In Touch!

Do you need help understanding the college admission’s maze? College is NOT what it was 20 years ago. Let us show you the ropes so your kid has a stronger chance of getting into college with less stress and less anxiety.

Schedule a free 30-minute consultation with me on my calendar or click the “contact us” button and I will get in touch with you. I look forward to connecting with you soon.