S3E2: How to Prepare for College Admissions During Junior Year of High School

Introduction: In the second episode of the third season of the Admittedly Podcast, hosted by Thomas Caleel, the focus is on Juniors in High School who are embarking on the college application process. With Ivy Day looming for Seniors and Juniors just starting this journey, Thomas provides insightful guidance on what Juniors should be doing and thinking about as they head into the summer and prepare for the fall.

Summary of Key Points:

• Taking Ownership of the Process: Thomas emphasizes the importance of Juniors taking ownership of their college application process. Regardless of the counselor assigned or the resources available, it's crucial for students to be proactive and engaged in the process.

• Providing Comprehensive Information: Juniors are advised to reflect on their high school experiences, including classes, extracurricular activities, and leadership roles, to provide thorough information to college counselors. Parents are encouraged to be honest in their reflections on their child's strengths and weaknesses.

• Choosing Courses Strategically: Thomas suggests Juniors prioritize academic rigor in their course selections, aligning them with their intended college major. While AP courses are beneficial, it's more important to demonstrate depth of intellectual curiosity than to simply accumulate AP credits.

• Decisions for IB Students: IB juniors are urged to make strategic decisions about their course selections, ensuring alignment with their desired college major and emphasizing quantitative skills for STEM fields.

• Academic Performance: The importance of academic performance, particularly in challenging courses, is highlighted. While aiming for high grades is crucial, effort and dedication are equally valued, even if a student receives a lower grade in a rigorous course.

• Building College Lists: Juniors are advised to thoughtfully consider their preferences and priorities when creating their college lists. Balancing realism with aspiration, students should curate a list that includes reach schools while also considering more realistic options.

• Summer Activities: Thomas stresses the significance of using the Junior summer to engage in meaningful activities related to students' interests. While some may need to work for financial reasons, aligning summer experiences with academic and career interests can enhance college applications.

• Avoiding Premature Essay Writing: Juniors are cautioned against prematurely writing college application essays before understanding the essay prompts and integrating summer experiences into their narratives.

Conclusion: As Juniors navigate the college application process, Thomas encourages them to take proactive steps, engage with counselors and recommenders, strategically plan their courses, and use the summer to pursue meaningful experiences. By approaching the process with intentionality and reflection, Juniors can set themselves up for success in their college journey.

 

About Thomas Caleel

Thomas is an alumnus of the University of Pennsylvania. After earning his MBA at the Wharton School of Business in 2003, he moved to Silicon Valley. For three years, he was Director of MBA Admissions and Financial Aid at Wharton. He worked closely with admissions professionals, students, alumni, and professors to curate the best possible MBA class. Thomas has been an entrepreneur his entire life in the fields of finance, agriculture, wellness, and sporting goods. As the founder of Global Education Opportunities LLC, he works as a high level admissions advisor to help families and students achieve their education goals. Thomas started the podcast Admittedly because he is passionate about demystifying the application process for all parents and applicants.

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