College Counseling, Because College Planning Starts Earlier Than You Think
College planning can feel overwhelming, but it doesn’t have to be. Whether your student is just starting high school or getting ready to apply, each year plays an important role in building a strong, confident application. Here is a simple breakdown of what to focus on at each grade level.
What Each Year Looks Like
Submit Standout Applications
Senior year is execution. Students polish their personal statement, write the supplemental essays for each school, curate their Common App honors and activities list, finalize their major selections, and submit applications on time. This is where a year of preparation pays off.
Build the College List
Junior year is strategy. Students research schools, build a balanced list of reach, target, and likely colleges, sit for the SAT or ACT, take AP exams, and begin outlining what makes their story unique. A strong list makes every application that follows easier.
Deepen Extracurriculars
Sophomore year is about going deeper, not wider. Students take on leadership in the activities they love, pursue meaningful summer experiences, sit for the PSAT, and start shaping the intellectual interests that will anchor their applications later.
Plan the Schedule
Freshman year is the foundation. Students map out a thoughtful four year course plan, build strong study habits, explore a wide range of interests, and learn what resilience and diligence look like in practice. The right schedule now opens doors later.
Dr. Jensine Andresen
Princeton B.S.E. • Columbia M.A. • Harvard Ph.D.
Dr. Andresen brings decades of Ivy League teaching and research to every student she works with. Her approach is personal. She listens to each student as an individual, then builds a plan around their strengths, goals, and story while strengthening their conscientiousness, resilience, and creativity that college admissions officers actually notice.
What We Build Together
- Resume and Common App honors list
- Strategic university and major selection
- Personal statement and every supplemental essay
- Optional Advanced Academic Preparation modules
- Graduate school application support
If you are not sure where your student should be focusing right now, we are happy to help. Our virtual college counseling program supports students at every stage, from building a strong foundation to submitting standout applications.