The 5-Year Roadmap

What We Do, Year by Year

Each grade has a specific purpose. We build from self-discovery in 8th grade all the way through submission strategy in 12th — so nothing is rushed, nothing is missed, and every decision compounds.

8th

8th Grade

Foundation & Discovery

Who am I, what do I love, and what does high school need to look like?

Self-Discovery

  • Personality assessments (Myers-Briggs, Holland Code)
  • Strengths & interests mapping
  • Learning style profile
  • Values clarification workshop

Academic Planning

  • 4-year course sequence draft
  • Honors vs. on-level decisions
  • Math & science track alignment
  • A-G eligibility awareness

Mindset & Habits

  • Study systems & time management
  • GPA mindset — every grade counts
  • Middle-to-high school transition plan
  • Goal-setting framework

Big Picture

  • Introduction to college landscape
  • Ivy, UC, and CSU overview
  • What admissions actually looks at
  • Setting 4-year intentions
9th

9th Grade

Planting the Seeds

GPA is live, story is forming, and every choice starts mattering.

Academic Strategy

  • Course load review & honors selection
  • GPA monitoring & recovery plan if needed
  • Teacher relationship strategy
  • First semester debrief

Extracurriculars

  • EC audit — what to keep, what to drop
  • Identify primary "spike" area
  • Club, team, or program selection
  • Leadership opportunity identification

Narrative Building

  • Story thread identification begins
  • Connect interests to activities
  • Journaling & reflection practice
  • Passion project exploration

Summer Planning

  • Summer program research
  • Internship / volunteer scoping
  • Skill-building activity plan
  • Pre-college program applications
10th

10th Grade

Building Momentum

Depth over breadth. The story sharpens and credentials accumulate.

Academic Depth

  • AP course strategy — which ones, when
  • Rigor vs. GPA balance analysis
  • PSAT prep & National Merit positioning
  • SAT/ACT diagnostic & test plan

EC Optimization

  • Deepen primary spike activity
  • Pursue leadership roles
  • Community impact & service strategy
  • Awards & recognition targeting

College Exploration

  • Initial college list brainstorm
  • Campus visit planning begins
  • Major/field of study narrowing
  • Ivy vs. UC vs. CSU strategy intro

Research & Projects

  • Independent research project scoping
  • Summer research program applications
  • Portfolio / creative work (if applicable)
  • Competitions & olympiads scouting
11th

11th Grade

The Critical Year

The most important year. Scores, story, and list all come together.

Test Strategy

  • SAT/ACT full prep program
  • Score goal setting by school tier
  • Test-optional school analysis
  • AP exam strategy & prep

College List Finalization

  • Final list of 12–20 schools
  • Reach / target / safety calibration
  • ED/EA strategy for top choices
  • Campus visit & info session plan

Essay & Narrative

  • Common App essay theme selection
  • Personal story drafting begins
  • Activity list narrative framing
  • Supplemental essay research

Positioning

  • Mock admissions interview prep
  • Recommender selection strategy
  • Counselor relationship briefing
  • Awards & honors final push
12th

12th Grade

Execution & Submission

Everything built over four years — written, submitted, and celebrated.

Application Writing

  • Common App essay final drafts
  • UC PIQ essays (all 4 prompts)
  • 30–50+ supplemental essays
  • Activities list final copy

Submission Strategy

  • Early Decision / Early Action management
  • November 1 & November 15 deadlines
  • UC November 30 deadline
  • Regular Decision January coordination

Financial Aid

  • FAFSA & CSS Profile guidance
  • Scholarship search & applications
  • Award letter comparison
  • Appeal letter support

Decision & Enrollment

  • Waitlist letter strategy
  • Offer comparison framework
  • Final enrollment decision support
  • Senior spring check-ins