Particularly for students interested in more selective colleges, the expectation is that they have taken challenging courses and done well. Colleges want students who have challenged themselves, developed their talents, and contributed to their community.
Grades Matter
The average GPA is much higher now than it was a generation ago. Most students applying to highly selective colleges have A or A-averages. It is uncommon to see admitted applicants who have multiple Bs in core subjects, particularly later in high school. While there are always college options for students with different high school GPAs, it is important to understand that lower GPAs can limit choice.
As a parent, you can help your student not by placing pressure but by offering support. Especially during the 9th grade transition, help your child develop good study habits. That may include setting a space to study and supporting a schedule where they get adequate sleep. Often, screen distractions (gaming, YouTube, TikTok) play a role when students struggle with grades in early high school.
Many teens are reluctant to ask for help, so it is important to communicate that it is normal to struggle with some classes in high school, and resources exist to help and support them. Those resources may be anything from Khan Academy to extra help from the school teacher or a private tutor.
Encourage Extracurricular Involvement
Most students find high school satisfying when they are involved in extracurricular activities such as band, sports, clubs, or community service. These activities aren’t just helpful for college admissions; they also help teens find friends and a community. If your child is not a natural joiner, help him explore the range of options and strongly encourage him to become involved in at least one activity per season.
There are a wide range of extracurricular options, and every student should be able to find something of interest. In addition to traditional activities like sports and debate, students can now consider game clubs, political organizations, and volunteering. If your teen is the type to join every activity, she can try to encourage her to be realistic and choose to concentrate on a smaller number. Quality is more important than the sheer quantity of activities, so encourage your student to look for deep and meaningful engagement and the possibility of developing leadership skills.
Time demands for many extracurricular activities differ from a generation ago. Many high schools expect that a student will not play multiple sports but will invest more time in one sport year-round. Students who are in activities such as music or sports with a heavy time commitment should pay special attention to summer opportunities.
Plan for Testing
Test scores are one of the most important factors in college admissions for many students. Most students should expect to prepare for the SAT or ACT and to take these tests more than once. Some students will also take the PSAT as a practice test for the SAT. The PSAT in the third year of high school is also the qualifying test for the National Merit Scholarship. Many serious college applicants will ultimately do some preparation for the ACT or SAT.
Look Long Term – Explore Career and Life Skills
It is common, even for students entering college, to not know what they want to do for a career. That said, early high school is a good time to begin these explorations. Some ways to begin exploring careers include online resources, academic extracurriculars, job shadowing family and friends, internships, volunteering, and career-oriented summer camps. Early high school is also a good time to start thinking about the life skills you’d like your child to have when they leave for college. Think about skills like stress management, laundry, simple cooking, and financial management.
Visiting Colleges
While most students don’t begin formal college visits until 11th or 12th grade, setting foot on college campuses earlier can be helpful. These informal visits can be in conjunction with a family vacation, summer camps, or attending cultural events on a college campus. While you want to keep this a low-pressure experience, it can help get teens thinking about college. Visiting helps teens start to get a feel for different sizes and types of colleges and may help motivate students to care about their grades and extracurricular involvement.