History is a huge topic. You can study the history of almost any single thing you could possibly imagine - it could be people, places, or things. All of the nouns! If you’re interested in learning about the background of why things are the way they are, you’re probably interested in history. If you want to be a history major, or at least think you could possibly want to be a history major, you’re in the right place.
10th Grade College Strategy for Economics
Macro. Micro. Marginal utility. The invisible hand. You love ‘em all. Or maybe you don’t just yet, but you think you might want to study economics in college. You’re not alone, it’s one of the most popular majors in the Ivy League and beyond, and probably the most popular social science major alongside political science. Maybe you’re interested in Econ because you want to go into business or finance, or maybe you’re not even sure why you’re drawn to it. But now you’re here, and we can help.
Sophomores: How to Start Thinking About College Lists
It might feel a little nuts to start thinking about where you’d like to go to college as a sophomore. After all, it probably feels (in some ways) like freshman year was just yesterday! But it’s not all that farfetched to get going on your college strategy. College has never been more competitive, with top-tier schools across the nation edging into the single digits of admission rates. We advise our students to develop a solid plan at the beginning of high school to make the arduous application process a bit more manageable.
Ideas for Summer Plans for Sophomores in High School
You’re like, officially a high school student now. You are about to finish your sophomore year and become a *rising junior* and all that entails. You know, from your older friends and family scaring you, that junior and senior year get intense. There’s something more serious… more dignified… about 11 and 12 that 10 just doesn’t have. And so in preparation for this more challenging year, you might be tempted to take it easy this summer. Relax. Do nothing. Terrible idea.
College Consultants for Sophomores
A lot of parents wonder when their child should get started with the college application process, and we’re here to tell you it’s right now. Students who get a jumpstart on the admissions process are not only better prepared when it’s time to submit, but students who work with us often feel more confident about college, what they want to study, and are excited by their school options. We get that it can feel overwhelming to begin preparing for a deadline that’s 3 years away, but that’s why we’re here – to help simplify the process and make your applications the best they can be.
What to do the Summer Before Junior Year
Your sophomore summer is your time to explore options, investigate your interests, and formulate a strategy for junior year and your college applications. While it may seem early to start thinking about this, we find that it’s helpful to start planning early: you can reduce the stress you’ll feel during junior and senior year if you get ahead now.
Should I Study For Standardized Tests During My Sophomore Year?
Sophomore Year of High School College Counselor
Picking a college counselor is a personal process. First, you have to be clear about what you’re looking for and what your expectations are. Some people are just looking to meet with someone once or twice to go over their essays. Others want more of a hands-on approach. Some require flexibility with their college counselor, with the option to call them at any point. Whatever it is you’re considering, once you figure out what you’re looking for, it’s usually time to consider when you’re looking to begin.
Is Sophomore Year of High School Important?
There is a notion that what colleges like to see above all else is an improvement from freshman and sophomore to junior year, but the application process actually begins the moment you enter high school. It’s built over the course of four years and if you plan to get into a great school, you’ll have to work hard sophomore year and begin focusing on how you’re going to plan the next few years. In this post, we’ll help you map out what you should be doing sophomore year to build a strong foundation for your college applications.
Advice for Sophomore Year of High School
Some people think of sophomore year as kind of a throw-away. It’s not freshman year where everything is new. It’s not senior year where everything is your last. It’s not junior year where you’re scrambling to make it through the barrage of standardized tests. We like to think of it as an opportunity for a cornerstone year. Consider this: you’re well-adjusted to the flow of high school, but the onslaught of junior year has not yet begun. It’s the perfect time to build a solid foundation for the college application process.
What to Expect Sophomore Year of High School
We’ve written about the importance of sophomore year and have even written up a checklist for you to track your progress through milestones that occur during this important year of high school. Here’s what to expect sophomore year, and what makes it different from other years:
Why is Sophomore Year in High School Important?
When it comes to college prep, all of the conversations often seem to revolve around junior year. It’s the year when students start visiting colleges, taking their standardized tests, and seeing their friends who are seniors get stressed out every fall and then experience the thrill of getting into their schools of choice throughout the year. What we want to emphasize here, though, is the importance of sophomore year. Yes, the year after freshman year and before the Big. Daunting. Junior. Year. Begins. While every year is important, sophomore year often gets lost in the mix.
Sophomore Year of High School Checklist
If you’re reading this as a sophomore or a parent of a sophomore, then you’re almost at the end of the first semester of sophomore year--can you believe it? If you’re reading this as a freshman or parent of one, you’re ahead of the game and want to understand what your next 18 months are going to look like. We personally work well with lists--to-do lists, college lists, grocery lists...you name a task, we love it in list form. They help us feel organized and in control and that’s what we hope to do for you with the following checklist for sophomore year.
Sophomore Year--Touring Colleges
Schools track your participation and engagement with the school starting, well, the moment you first engage with them. For example, if Northwestern sees that you visited sophomore year, initiated engagement with your regional admissions representative and tour guide after the visit, and then attended two of their boots at college fairs junior year, that’s going to work in your favor! They know you’re interested and they love consistency over time.
The Best Activities for the Summer After Sophomore Year of High School
You’re officially *in* high school now. You’re a rising junior, which means that next year is going to be your most intense yet. Your summer should reflect that. Hopefully this year you’ve done some work exploring and solidifying your interests within the context of your extracurricular activities, outside-of-school efforts, and your reading and online courses. We know we’ve said this before, but it’s important to reiterate: colleges look at how you spend your free time. Summer is a big chunk of free time that is yours for the taking (or wasting).
When Should I Start Touring Colleges?
We get this question a lot, and it’s an important one to ask because oftentimes students come to us the summer before their senior year not having visited one school. To be frank, that is kind of an *almost* worst-case scenario. By that time you should have your school list nearly together and have begun working on your Common App personal statement. For that reason, we encourage our students to begin touring colleges the spring of their sophomore year. But the best time would be to plan a trip during the summer between your sophomore and junior year.
Sophomore Year Summer Ideas
Summer is a wonderful time of year. The snow (barring climate change) has melted. Movie theaters market films to kids and teens. Beaches are back open, and perhaps best of all, school is out. We hate to be the bearers of bad news, but unfortunately, if you want to get into a great school spending your time simply lounging and enjoying the bliss of summer isn’t going to cut it. Sorry (not sorry) but in order to be competitive, you’re going to have to be strategic and work hard during your summer vacation.
Tips for Sophomore Year of High School
How to Pick Your Sophomore Year Extracurriculars
Hey, all you rising sophomores, welcome to limbo! Sophomore year is a weird time. You don’t feel like you’re allowed to be doe-eyed and lost anymore because Junior year is within arms reach, but you still kind of are that confused freshman who wants to be able to check out of class sometimes because everyone’s been telling you that your grades don’t really matter...yet. (For the record, we completely reject that idea and grades don’t always matter, but so goes cultural programming.)
What to Do During Spring Break If You Are a Sophomore
The spring of sophomore year can be fun. You feel more confident about your place in school. Perhaps your parents are granting you more freedom and depending on where you live, you might even be revving up to get your driver’s license. We hate to be the bearers of bad news, but you’re also hitting that point in which everything starts moving faster and before you know it, you’ll blink and be in college. So, while it may seem a little early, there is no time like your sophomore year of spring break to start preparing. Admit it. We know you’re kind of excited.