Academic counseling for grades 8 through 11
Many of the decisions that shape a college application are made before junior year: which math track to take, which APs in which order, and which interest gets real time while others are dropped. Our academic counseling helps students in grades 8 through 11 make those choices on purpose, with a clear view of where they want to go and what selective colleges will see.
Who this is for
- Students in grades 8 to 11 planning their courses
- Students with too many interests, or none they feel strongly about yet
- Students considering computer science, engineering, pre-med or business who need to understand how that choice changes the college list
- Families who want a plan before spending money on test prep or summer programs
How the work runs
- Background analysis. A 1.5 to 2 hour session reviews the student’s goals, current courses and activities, and what could become the central theme of the application.
- Academic plan. We build a course selection and rigor plan calibrated to the student’s own school, because a transcript is read against what that school offers.
- Direction. We work through majors and careers with the student, including how an intended major affects admission. At some universities, programs like computer science and engineering are far more selective than the university as a whole.
- Building depth. We find research opportunities, programs, competitions and independent projects that deepen the interest the student has chosen.
- Revisiting the plan. As the student grows and interests change, we review the plan each year so it stays aligned.
What’s included
- Course selection and rigor sequencing
- Major and career exploration
- Research and program identification
- Competition and award planning
- ACT and SAT strategy and timeline
- Summer planning and enrichment strategy
- Grade-by-grade milestones
Frequently asked questions
When should students start?
Ideally in 8th or 9th grade, since math and language tracks are sequenced years in advance. We also work with students who start later.
How is this different from school counseling?
A school counselor manages scheduling and requirements for the whole class. We work with one student at a time on how each choice affects the application.
Does this include the application itself?
This service covers planning. Essays and applications are part of Application and Essay Support or Full Service.
Start with a free 30-minute strategy session
An honest read on where your student stands and what to do next. Every family that completes the call receives our free College Application Rules guide.
Schedule a Free Strategy Session