College Prep Timeline: 6th-9th Grade

When is the right time to start thinking about college admissions?

At most independent and boarding high schools, the college counseling team will start working with students in their junior year. At many public schools, that work won't start in earnest until fall of senior year.

What can students do in the meantime? Plenty! Below is the Wise Admissions guide to making the most of middle school and ninth grade.

COLLEGE PREP TIMELINE - Middle School & Ninth Grade

MIDDLE SCHOOL

Academics

• Determine Math path. Many selective colleges and STEM majors expect students to have at least completed Calculus by 12th grade. This usually involves early planning.

• Build a reading habit. Genre doesn’t matter. Consistency does.

Extracurriculars

Start exploring different subjects, issues, and activities that might help you answer such questions as:

• What brings me joy outside the classroom? 

• What kinds of things do I want to build or create?

• What types of problems do I want to help solve?

• What topics spark my curiosity?

NINTH GRADE

Academics

• Plan coursework for the next four years. Selective colleges will prefer four full years of all five core subjects: English, Math, Science, Social Studies, and Foreign Language. Public universities may have additional requirements. In California, UCs want a full year of Art and will soon require Ethnic Studies, too.

• Develop strong time management strategies and study skills. Consider executive functioning coaching if this is an area of weakness.

• Build a strong foundation for more advanced Math. This is a subject that builds upon itself, so investing in tutoring early can pay off later.

• Continue to encourage reading. Many college majors require strong reading skills. These are not built overnight. Also, when it comes to standardized tests later, students who read early and often will outscore those who don’t. 

Extracurriculars

Get involved with school-based clubs and pursue activities outside of school, too. (These are the best ways to find “your people,” too.) Think about which activities you might want to pursue more deeply or in different settings, or whether you want to complement them with related activities. Explore broadly. 

Self reflection: Continue to reflect on such questions as:

• What brings me joy outside the classroom? 

• What kinds of things do I want to build or create?

• What types of problems do I want to help solve?

• What topics spark my curiosity?

Personal

• Self-care: Learn to prioritize sleep, nutrition, and exercise. Explore activities that help reduce stress: Meditation, yoga, running, knitting, swimming. What works best for you?