How Early Should You Start Preparing for College Admissions?
The college admissions process can feel like a marathon, and knowing when to start preparing can make all the difference. While it’s easy to focus on the immediate tasks and day-to-day priorities, early preparation—starting as early as middle school—can set your teen up for success. Here’s a guide to help you determine the right timeline for your family.
Middle School: Building the Foundation
While middle school might seem too early to think about college, it’s the perfect time to lay the groundwork for academic success and future interests.
Focus on Strong Study Habits. Help your child develop organizational and time management skills. These habits will serve them well throughout high school and beyond.
Encourage Exploration. Middle school is a time for discovering interests. Support your teen in trying different extracurricular activities, from sports to music to clubs.
Emphasize Academic Foundations. Encourage a love of learning by fostering curiosity and helping them excel in core subjects like math, science, and English.
Freshman Year: Starting with Intention
The first year of high school is crucial for setting the tone, academically and socially.
Choose the Right Courses. Work with your teen and their school counselor to ensure they’re taking college-preparatory classes. Emphasize the importance of GPA early on.
Explore Interests Further. Encourage involvement in extracurricular activities they genuinely enjoy. Colleges look for depth and sustained interest in activities, so starting early is beneficial.
Create a Four-Year Plan. Sit down with your teen and map out a general plan for their high school years. This includes challenging courses, potential leadership roles, and opportunities to explore colleges.
Sophomore Year: Gaining Momentum
Sophomore year is when things start to come into focus. While it’s still early, there are concrete steps to take.
Consider Test Preparation. Standardized tests like the PSAT (Preliminary SAT) are often offered during sophomore year. While scores don’t count toward college admissions yet, it’s a good time to get familiar with the format.
Visit Colleges Informally. Use family trips or breaks to visit nearby campuses casually. This helps your teen start thinking about what they like and don’t like in a college environment.
Keep a Record of Accomplishments. Encourage your teen to track their awards, extracurricular involvement, and volunteer work. This will be invaluable when it’s time to complete college applications.
Junior Year: The Big Push
Junior year is the most important year in the college admissions process, and preparation ramps up significantly.
Focus on Academics. This is often the last full year of grades colleges will see. Encourage your teen to stay focused and take challenging courses.
Start Test Prep Seriously. If standardized tests like the SAT or ACT are part of your plan, junior year is the time to prepare and take the tests.
Research Colleges in Depth. Encourage your teen to create a list of potential schools. Look into factors like academic programs, campus culture, and financial aid options.
Attend College Fairs and Info Sessions. Many schools and organizations host events to help families learn about different colleges. Take advantage of these opportunities.
Senior Year: Finalizing the Process
Senior year is all about putting everything together and meeting deadlines.
Finalize College Applications. Ensure your teen is staying on top of deadlines for applications, essays, and letters of recommendation.
Apply for Financial Aid. Complete the FAFSA as early as October to maximize aid opportunities. Research scholarships and apply for as many as possible.
Stay Engaged Academically. Colleges can rescind acceptances if grades drop significantly, so encourage your teen to keep working hard through senior year.
Final Thoughts
Preparing for college admissions is a multi-year process, and starting early can help reduce stress and build confidence. By breaking the journey into manageable steps, you’ll empower your teen to approach college admissions with clarity and purpose—setting them up for long-term success.