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Parent of a high school sophomore or junior? There are two things you should do today to help your child begin the college search. 
HS Seniors, Juniors, Sophs: What should you do TODAY?
Written by Jack Delehey on April 01st 2022
Previously written on 4/9/2021
This time of year is busy for all high schoolers.

Seniors: Decision time. In terms of college admissions, you are either accepted, rejected, waitlisted, or perhaps some combination of all three at this point. Now it’s time to make a decision before the May 1 deposit deadline.

Juniors: Quite truly, the junior spring portion of my program is called “The most difficult and rewarding 12 weeks” and I stand by it. You have SATs/ACTs, you have after school activities/sports, you are asking teachers for recommendation letters, and oh, by the way, you have this thing called high school academics. It’s a lot.

Sophomores: This is when the first whisperings of “college” begin...and it can be overwhelming. A lot of questions are running through your head. “What academic area do I want to focus in?” “What classes should I choose?” “Is AP Lit going to be too hard next year?” “Am I going to make the varsity team?” are just a few of the many questions I hear.

Freshmen: This year, more than ever, has been a tremendously odd way to start your high school career. I feel for you. It’s not easy when ¾ of your year has been spent on Zoom. Perhaps, given where you are in the country, you have entered the walls of your high school for the first time this spring.

This time of year is, perhaps, equally crazy for me. I’m helping seniors with their waitlists, helping juniors who are in the very middle of my college planning program and interviewing sophomores who are considering joining. It’s a lot. But I also understand, even with this, I don’t have nearly the stress most high schoolers (or their parents) have this time of year. And so, in order to align with my goal of minimizing stress, I figured I would help answer the same question, regardless of if you are a freshman, sophomore, junior, or senior:

“What should I do TODAY to help my college planning process?”
Let’s dive into it:

Q: I am a high school senior, what should I do TODAY to help my college planning process?
A: If it helps, use my decision matrix to help you make a decision on your deposit school (here you go, it’s free - just click “File, Make a Copy”). If you are waitlisted, do not wait, demonstrate interest. If you want a step-by-step plan for increasing your waitlist acceptance chances, reach out here.

Alternative Answer: Tell your parent(s)/guardian(s) how much you love them.

Q: I am a high school junior, what should I do TODAY to help my college planning process?
A: Sign up for the very next ACT and/or SAT that you can. As the world opens up, test dates will fill up quickly. And while there is a high chance you won’t need to submit your scores (see blog), it can’t hurt to give yourself the option of submitting an elite score. Also, if you can, book a tour/virtual tour at a nearby school. It’s time to get some campus visits under your belt so you get a feel for the types of schools you like and dislike.

Alternative Answer: Tell your parent(s)/guardian(s) how much you love them.

Q: I am a high school sophomore, what should I do TODAY to help my college planning process?
A: Assess the “B+ Rule” in each and every one of your classes. Also assess the “B+ Rule” in all classes you’ve picked for your junior year. If you are in my program, you know what the B+ Rule is and I mandate that you review it each semester.

If you aren’t familiar, here’s a 2 sentence explanation: Obtaining a B+ grade in a higher level class is the equivalent (or near equivalent) of obtaining an A grade in the level below (in terms of assessment from a college admissions standpoint). If you do not think you can obtain a B+ (and still get adequate sleep and still enjoy life--after all, you are 15, you should be enjoying your high school experience), you should drop down a level, enjoy life more, and focus on other areas of your profile that will help your college applications.

Alternative Answer: Tell your parent(s)/guardian(s) how much you love them.

Q: I am a high school freshman, what should I do TODAY to help my college planning process?
A: Enjoy your real high school experience if you’re back in-person. Soak in it...and tell your parent(s)/guardian(s) how much you love them.

I hope this helps you take the next step!


Happy college-searching,
-Jack

Jack Delehey

Jack Delehey (Vanderbilt '14) is a college admissions expert originally from Concord, MA and now resides in Denver, CO. It is his goal to pass on his college admission knowledge, strategies, and unique perspective to high school students in a young, fun, relatable, older-brother type manner.

The college application process is often confusing and stressful. But it just doesn't have to be that way! If you are interested in gaining clarity, peace of mind, and a detailed step-by-step program to help your child through the college application process, reach out and request a free strategy session today.
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