Sophomore Year....and Road to College

9th grade is about settling in and exploring all that high school has to offer. 10th grade is about deepening the connections and establishing the roots those experiences offered. While many college admissions specific tasks and activities do not start until junior year, foundation for those are laid in the sophomore year:

Academics

 ·      Maintain your grades and improve upon your performances. This is not just about what colleges want, it is also about what you need to be successful as a college student. Study habits you develop and the rigor of the courses you take now will make for a successful and stronger transition to college.

·      Strategically plan your course work for upcoming years. You are preparing for college, so you want to get exposure to college level classes (think AP, college credit courses etc.). You want to show an upward trajectory for the difficulty level of the courses you are taking. Pushing the envelope just enough that it challenges you, without overwhelming.

·      Initiate, engage, make meaningful connections with your teachers and counselors, especially in subjects that you are naturally interested in and ‘may’ want to pursue further. You will surprise yourself how much more you will learn from them when you share your curiosity and interest. Not to mention, months later these connections will help in your recommendation letters.

Extracurriculars

 ·      From many activities that you have experienced; hopefully you have found the ones that you feel especially interested in where you can take on more involved role (think leadership). There might be newer activities that draw you to it but make sure you are not spreading yourself too thin.

Remember: grades are still most important. It is not the number of activities you are involved in but what you are doing with them that matters.

·      To work or not – You are now eligible to get a work permit. Should you take a job? If yes, then how many hours a week is reasonable? For some students and families, it is also a very important part of their value system. There is no perfect answer here because each family must weigh their situation. Keep in mind, often high school level jobs are more for personal growth and character than college admissions.

·      Job shadow – try to do one because what better way to test the waters with a major/ career that interests you? What better way to show a college that you are serious about the major/ career you are applying for?

·      Summer Plans – Summer after sophomore year is a perfect time to purposefully engage in some experiential style camps/ courses/ activities. Many of these require applications, interviews, and essays months in advance. Fall is the time to be researching for your summer plans.

On-going and Long term

 ·      While SATs/ ACTs may not be imminent, take PSAT tests to start exposing yourself to what these tests are like? This will allow you to know what kind of timeline you will need to take these tests. 

·      What does your social media say about you? Does it reflect your interests and your character? Does it show you?

·      Demonstrate Interest – If there is a college that ‘interests’ you, show them that interest. Colleges like students who like them. It is never too early to start researching colleges and majors. Knowing what is available and what is happening will make you an informed applicant.

·      Start your resume and meticulously archive all your creatives in an online locker. Written an interesting article that was published, a poem you loved, an essay you wrote for a class, a dance you choreographed, or a picture you took for an art class? Save it, archive it. You never know where you might need it for future.