Hi, Reader!

Between school work, activities, the upcoming holidays (and travel uncertainty), and more application deadlines not that far away, I know it can feel like there’s a lot to juggle.

But don’t worry — you’re not alone in this! This month, there are some key steps you can take to stay organized, focused, and on track with your college plans, no matter what grade you (or your student) are in. Whether college isn’t even on your radar quite yet or you’re eagerly awaiting admission decisions, these action items will help make the process feel more manageable.

Remember, this journey is about finding the right fit and sharing your story, one step at a time. Let’s dive into what you can do this month to keep moving forward with confidence!

9th Graders

• ​College App & Admissions Timeline: This timeline and set of resources track the college search and application process from 9th through 12th grade.
• ​NYT Writing Prompts for Students: Start keeping a journal — here are some questions for inspiration.
• ​Could your high school grades be worth $100k? If you’re wondering whether your freshman year grades matter (yes, they do), then read this article to learn more about merit-based financial aid.
• ​Feeling like you’re falling behind in a class? Don’t be afraid to ask for help, and the sooner, the better. Check in with your teacher. Ask older students and/or peers if they might be open to tutoring. Form a study group.
• Start investigating competitive summer programs. Some applications open as early as December. Check Teen Life Summer Programs.

10th Graders

• ​College App & Admissions Timeline: This timeline and set of resources track the college search and application process from 10th through 12th grade.
• Start investigating competitive summer programs. Some applications open as early as December. Check Teen Life Summer Programs.
• ​Values Exercise (video): Use your priority values to guide your extracurricular choices. This is a great time to deepen your involvement in the clubs/teams/jobs that excite you — maybe take on a leadership role. Or sign up for a new club? Or start your own?
• ​Tips for Planning a College Visit: Make a commitment to visit one local college between now and the end of the school year. That experience can be a great reference point as you begin to figure out what you’re looking for in a school. And some schools offer incentive grants if you visit campus, either in person or virtually.
• ​Start thinking about financial fit: As you begin your college search, it’s important to think about cost. Experiment with the Net Price Calculator to get a rough estimate of what you might pay for college, and start the conversation with your parents or guardians.

11th Graders

• ​College App & Admissions Timeline: This timeline and set of resources track the college search and application process for 11th and 12th grade.
• ​How to Create a College List (with spreadsheet tracker): Use this guide tool to begin building a list of schools you’re excited about. Resources for specific student populations:
• ​ScholarMatcher: Awesome search tool for low-income/first-gen students
• ​The Hundred-Seven and College Equity Index: Excellent resources for Black students
• ​College Advising Guide for Undocumented Students​
• ​I’m First: Guide for first-generation college students and their families
• ​Tips and Campus Pride: Resources for the LGBTQ+ community
• ​Women’s colleges: Seven reasons you should consider a single-sex school
• ​HBCUs, HSIs and TCUs: Essential tips when considering one of these institutions committed to serving underrepresented students
• ​American Indian College Fund: List and descriptions of tribal colleges and universities
• ​AICAD: List of 42 colleges of art and design that allows you to search by major and by region
• Check out the Greenlight amazing list of Colleges that Meet Full Demonstrated Need.
• Start investigating competitive summer programs. Some applications open as early as December. Check Teen Life Summer Programs.

12th Graders

• Repurpose all of that hard work you’ve done on essays and use them to apply for scholarships. This spreadsheet will help you track your scholarship applications, and Monica Matthews’ ebook How to Win College Scholarships gives you winning strategies for finding and earning scholarships. (Get 25% off her ebook with the code SCHOLARSHIP SECRETS.)
• ​College App & Admissions Timeline: This timeline and set of resources track the college search and application process for 12th grade.
• If you have registered for an interview with a college, read this: College Interview Tips and Strategies: The Ultimate Guide​
• Watch your application deadlines and do NOT wait until the last minute to apply.
• ​UC and CSU applications are due soon, so make sure you don’t miss the deadlines for these California universities.
• Save copies of your applications and essays before submitting them
• Be on the lookout for an email from your college within 48 hours of submitting with information on how to set up your portal. Check your applicant portals and emails: Portals are the place where colleges keep applicant information and where you can update contact information, monitor application status, upload and track documents, and view the final admission decision. If you miss a request for more information or a document, it could jeopardize your admission chances, so make it a habit to check regularly.
• If your portal states that supporting documentation is missing, take swift action and see your school/college counselor for assistance.

Even though this season can feel hectic, remember: every small step counts.

Happy Writing!

Julia

​​​​

​Interested in Coaching? Let's Talk! | ​View My Resources | Need Help? Open a Support Ticket.​

This email may contain affiliate links. This means I may receive a percentage of the sale in commission, but using these links doesn't affect the price you pay. I recommend only products I use myself and believe in. Thank you for supporting me! Read more: Privacy Policy​

You're receiving this email because you opted in to my mailing list or because you're a current or past client. Don't need (or want) this information anymore? No hard feelings. Just use the links below to adjust your subscription.

• ​Unsubscribe From All: To stop receiving all communication from me, including emails related to any purchases. (Coaching clients will still receive service-related emails.)
• ​Unsubscribe to Newsletter: To unsubscribe from my newsletter but still receive updates on any purchases you've made.
• ​Update your Profile: To fix your name or update your email address.

If a friend has forwarded you this email and you'd like to subscribe, come join the party by clicking here.​