The Best Time to Start Working with a College Consultant
College consulting is a major investment, and choosing the best time to start can be tricky. At AMH, we recommend starting the college planning process as early as possible. Working with a consultant before your senior year allows more time for strategy, a more robust development of your extracurricular narrative, and less stress as you begin tackling application essays early.
So how early should you begin working with a college consultant?
1. Early High School Years (9th-10th Grade)
Starting as early as 9th or 10th grade can help build key foundations and set clear expectations and goals for the coming years. As part of the College Planning Program at AMH, we help our students in many areas:
Academic Planning: We co-create a four-year plan that balances academic rigor with excellence. Keeping in mind your career and college goals, we help create a curriculum that is as engaging as it is challenging.
Extracurricular Activities: While students know the goal for academics is to achieve good grades, they’re often less clear about the goal for extracurriculars. Keeping in mind breadth and depth of involvements, we help refine an extracurricular narrative that bolsters your success during college admissions. As part of this process, we help students identify dream opportunities, and help build the networking and communication skills required to make their dreams a reality.
ACT / SAT Prep: There’s nothing worse than retaking standardized tests last-minute as you craft your applications! To avoid this, we help select the standardized test that works best for you, and create a study plan to achieve your testing goals well in advance of deadlines.
Grade Monitoring: During regular meetings, we stay up-to-date on your assignments, quizzes, and tests, and help develop effective study habits to maintain top marks.
College List Research: We believe that identifying a dream school early can help motivate success across academics and extracurriculars alike! With a robust college discovery process, we help you find schools that feel like home.
2. Junior Year (11th Grade)
At AMH, our College Application Program costs the same whether you begin in 11th or 12th grade. Because of the additional strategy and lower stress afforded by beginning early, we recommend all of our clients start in 11th grade. During junior year, our work will focus on:
Standardized Testing: We aim to have all standardized tests completed by the end of junior year, meaning you can dedicate yourself fully to applications beginning in the summer.
College List Development: While we’ve already identified dream schools in earlier years, Junior year is when we develop your full college list. With thorough research, we ensure you have a diverse list of reach, target, and safety schools.
Application Strategy: As we begin looking at applications, we refine your extracurricular commitments and course plan to align with your intended major, overall application narrative, and career goals.
Essay Drafting: Because writing is a creative process, we start drafting early! Giving yourself additional time to redraft and revise will lead to more compelling, beautifully crafted essays.
3. Senior Year (12th Grade)
While it’s ideal to start early, many families reach out during the senior year, and that’s perfectly fine! At this stage, we’ll continue to provide holistic support, including:
Finalizing College Choices: We refine and solidify your college list.
Application Management: With weekly check-ins, we break the application process up into manageable pieces, decreasing stress and ensuring timely completion of all materials.
Financial Aid and Scholarship Discovery: Because finances play a key role in college decisions, we help you find and apply for scholarships.
Resume Creation: We create an academic resume that continues to support you beyond applications, empowering you to apply to future internships and jobs.
Conclusion
While it’s never too late to seek help, starting your college journey early allows for more effective strategizing and supports. Whether you’re in 9th grade, gearing up for your junior year, or facing the final stretch of senior year, the right consultant can provide personalized strategies and insights that will help you navigate the college admissions process with confidence.
Investing in a college consultant is an investment in your future, and selecting the right college consultant is an important decision. To set up a free consultation with AMH College Consultant, please contact us today.
