Grade Level Guides
9th Grade
- Class Selection
Balance academic rigor with your mental well-being. Focus on completing core subjects, map your schedule to align with your future goals, and challenge yourself at a sustainable pace. Extracurricular Activities: focus on outcomes and keep a record of activities. Get good grades! Start discussing college budget. Create a dedicated college email. Suggested first name last name graduation year@__ Visit colleges locally or on family vacations.
- How we can help during 9th grade?
- Explore Solutions free webinar
- Gather friends for a College Knowledge Group Session where we can discuss college prep topics for 9th grade parents
- Schedule a private meeting through a virtual family discussion
- Use our resources to help identify colleges of interest
- Follow Explore Solutions on Facebook and Instagram
10th Grade
- Class Selection
Balance academic rigor with your mental well-being. Focus on completing core subjects, map your schedule to align with your future goals, and challenge yourself at a sustainable pace. Extracurricular Activities: focus on outcomes and keep a record of activities. Get good grades! Start discussing college budget. Testing: PSAT Visit colleges locally or on family vacations. Attend a local college fair. Create a dedicated college email. Suggested first name last name graduation year@__
- How can we help during 10th grade?
- Recommended Meeting: College Strategy Lab
- Gather friends for a College Knowledge Group Session where we can discuss college prep topics for 10th grade parents
- Schedule a private meeting through a virtual family discussion
- Use our resources to help identify colleges of interest
- Follow Explore Solutions on Facebook and Instagram
- Explore Solutions free webinars
11th Grade
- Class Selection
Balance academic rigor with your mental well-being. Focus on completing core subjects, map your schedule to align with your future goals, and challenge yourself at a sustainable pace. Establish your college budget. Use the Net Price Calculator on college websites to estimate costs Estimate your Students Aid Index (SAI) using this tool: https://studentaid.gov/aid-estimator. *Tax return year used to assess is 2 years before freshman year (2025 for 2027). Extracurricular Activities: focus on outcomes and keep a record of activities Focus on good grades. Get to know your high school counselor. Ask 2-3 teachers for college recommendations before summer Research Colleges and start creating your college list. Follow colleges of interest on social media. Attend virtual college events and tours. Visit Colleges. Attend local college fairs and meet with admissions counselors at your high school. Take the PSAT, SAT/ACT. Get a copy of your transcript in early summer so you have it to complete applications
- How we can help during 11th grade?
- Recommended Meeting: College Strategy Lab
- Schedule a private meeting through a virtual family discussion
- Attend Explore Solutions free webinars
- Gather friends for a College Knowledge Group Session where we can discuss college prep topics for 11th grade parents.
- Use Explore Solutions Resources to help build your college list
- College List Review: submit your list to Explore Solutions team for a review for academic and financial fit
- Follow Explore Solutions on Facebook and Instagram
12th Grade
- Class Selection
Balance academic rigor with your mental well-being. Focus on completing core subjects, map your schedule to align with your future goals, and challenge yourself at a sustainable pace. Establish your college budget. Use the Net Price Calculator on college websites to estimate costs Estimate your Students Aid Index (SAI) using this tool: https://studentaid.gov/aid-estimator. *Tax return year used to assess is 2 years before freshman year (2025 for 2027). Focus on good Grades. Obtain 2-3 college recommendations. Retake SAT/ACT. Research Colleges and start creating your college list. Follow on social media. Attend virtual college events and tours. Visit Colleges. Attend local college fairs and meet with admissions counselors at your high school. Visit Colleges. Finalize your activities list. Brainstorm and write your essay. Complete your College Applications. File the FAFSA and CSS Profile. Check your emails and respond to emails from Colleges. Revisit your final college choices and attend admitted student events. Make your college choice by May 1st and submit your deposits.
- How can we help during 12th grade?
- Recommended Meeting: College Strategy Lab
- Application Workshops
- Crafting the Activities Learning Module
- College List Review: submit your list to Explore Solutions team for a review for academic and financial fit
- Explore Solutions webinars
- Gather friends for a College Knowledge Group Session where we can discuss college prep topics for 12th grade
- Schedule a private meeting through a virtual family discussion
- Use our resources to help build your college list
- Follow Explore Solutions on Facebook and Instagram
- Request a Comparing College Costs spreadsheet from Gail to compare your offers
