A counselor spells out what you and your high schooler should be doing from freshman to senior year to ensure a successful and (relatively) stress-free admissions process.
By: Norman Vanamee
Published: February 26, 2025
With non-stop headlines about falling admission rates and rising tuition costs, it’s easy for families of high school students to stress out about applying to college. Lindsay Tanne, founder and CEO of LogicPrep, a college admissions consultancy that specializes in taking the anxiety out of the application process, says the trick is to know where you are—and where you could be—in the process.
T&C asked Tanne to share the big-picture calendar she uses with her clients starting their freshman year of high school.
Photo Credit: Pakin Songmor / Getty Images
9th–11th Grade
Develop and fine tune your personal narrative.
Plan summer activities (December through March): Each year, from 9th through 11th grade, work on finding a summer job; landing a residential academic program on a college campus; pursuing an internship or research opportunity; or any other activity that aligns with your larger personal interests and goals.
Select courses (January–April): Meet with your high school guidance counselor to discuss course selection for the following year to ensure an appropriately rigorous curriculum.
Theme to Consider: Long Range Curriculum Planning
Tanne tells her clients to ask themselves: What do I excel at? What do I want to study? What options are there at my high school for advanced courses and interesting electives? “This will help them make choices that play to their strengths and will set them up for success by ensuring 1) the greatest possibility of academic success (grades matter!), 2) An appropriate acceleration in rigor, and 3) they are meeting all state requirements for graduation, and at least the bare minimum expectation for competitive college applications.”
10th–11th Grade
Focus on your list and get ready for testing.
Build a working college list: A strong list ultimately will have three or four “likely” schools, four or five “match” schools, and three to four “reach” schools. Concentrate of finding colleges that offer the right personal balance of academics, size, setting, location, program or major, athletics, Greek life, etc.
Plan and conduct college visits: Do information sessions (led by admission officers) and guided tours (led by current students) whenever possible. Virtual tours and information sessions are also informative. Take detailed notes after each visit. Many schools ask the “why us?” question as part of their specific application process, and it’s very helpful to refer to an anecdote or experience you had while visiting campus. Some schools even track "demonstrated interest” as a factor in the admissions process.
Prepare for, and take, the SAT or ACT: In the spring of 10th grade take diagnostic SAT and ACT tests to determine which will best display your potential.
Theme to Consider: New Opportunities
“Look for new activities and/or deepen you level of commitment and impact within the organizations you are already a member of,” Tanne tells her students. “Work and family responsibilities count.”
11th Grade
Continue working on your list of colleges and going on visits; take tests and line up recommendations.
Take the SAT or ACT (September-June): Take the real SAT or ACT (no need to take both), typically twice, ideally no more than three times. Most colleges will take your highest composite score into consideration, so it’s usually worth two attempts. Weigh testing beyond a third time against a better use of your time, such as keeping up with your academics.
Request teacher recommendations: Identify two teachers you have connected with the most and ask them for letters of recommendation by late spring of your junior year.
Get to know your school counselor: They write letters of recommendation for you and are also integral to a successful application process.
Summer Before 12th Grade
Start drafting your essay; finalize your list.
Solidify your school list: This will help prioritize your application essays.
Draft your personal statement/essays: Get started on the supplements (school-specific essays) with the goal of meeting Early Application deadlines (November).
Open up accounts and fill out the Common Application or the Coalition Application before the school year starts (along with UC system applications and MIT, Georgetown, or other school specific applications, if you’re applying there).
Determine your application strategy: Decide which schools you will apply to early action, early decision (I or II), rolling, or regular decision.
Theme to Consider: Equilibrium and Wellbeing
“The college application process is important, but so is your high school experience and mental health,” Tanne tells her clients. “Ask for help when needed—with academics or with other needs. Develop good study habits. Find balance between the demands of academics, extracurricular activities, and restorative downtime.”
12th grade
Apply to college!
November: Submit first round (early decision/action) applications.
January: Submit regular decision and/or early decision II applications as needed.
Spring: Manage deferrals and waitlist as needed—and celebrate your acceptances before committing in May.
This article was originally published in Town and Country on February 26, 2025 and can be viewed here.