College Planning
Although students apply to college in their senior year of high school, they spend all four years of high school preparing to apply, from maintaining good grades, studying for the SAT/ACT, and pursuing interests like sports, the arts, or STEM fields.
Coach Paul can help plan a holistic plan throughout high school that seeks to develop a student’s authentic self. A student’s true interests, curiosities, and passions are what guide the application process. Coach Paul believes an applicant should represent who they really are during the college application process and not who they think the college wants them to be.
Here is a grade-by-grade checklist on how Coach Paul can help guide students:
9th Grade: Exploration and Engagement
Coach Maddie and Coach Paul will help clients:
- Prioritize strong study and time-management skills
- Explore extracurricular interests
- Build relationships with teachers
- Learn to balance the demands of academics, extracurricular activities, and social life
- Review upcoming courses during the spring and summer before classes begin
10th Grade: Discovery and Direction
Coach Maddie and Coach Paul will help clients:
- Build on the skills developed in 9th grade
- Prepare for and take the PSAT in October
- Plan a standardized testing preparation schedule for the ACT and SAT
- Review upcoming courses during the spring and summer to identify areas requiring additional emphasis or preparation
- Prepare for summer by researching and applying for jobs, internships, programs, educational travel, and community service opportunities
- Plan a college tour
11th Grade: Planning and Preparation
Coach Maddie and Coach Paul will help clients:
- Maintain strong academic performance
- Deepen extracurricular involvement and explore new interests
- Develop a college list and prepare for the college application process
- Develop a testing strategy and preparation schedule for the ACT and SAT
- Review upcoming courses during the spring and summer to identify areas requiring additional emphasis or preparation
- Prepare for summer by researching and applying for jobs, internships, programs, educational travel, and community service opportunities
- Plan a more extensive college tour
- Select and ask teachers for letters of recommendation early
12th Grade: Application and Decision
Coach Maddie and Coach Paul will help clients:
- Finalize the college list and create a spreadsheet of application requirements and deadlines
- Craft strong applications and essays
- Review and submit applications on time, particularly Early Decision and Early Action applications
- Prepare for college interviews
- Prepare financial aid, FAFSA, scholarship, and fellowship applications
- Evaluate admission offers and choose and commit to a college
All packages include 10 to 12 check-in meetings, Zoom sessions, or phone calls per year, typically one or two per quarter.