For Rising 9th Graders: 3 Key Things You Shouldn’t Overlook
Transitioning from middle school to high school is a significant milestone. The choices students make in 9th grade can shape their academic path, social life, and even college applications. Whether you’re feeling excited, nervous, or somewhere in between, these three crucial steps will help you get off to a strong start.
Attend Orientation
If your high school offers an orientation, don’t skip it. Orientation is more than just a tour or a meet-and-greet—it’s a window into your school’s culture, expectations, and opportunities. Here are five key questions to consider during orientation:
- What are the school’s academic and behavioral expectations?
- Are there required courses for 9th grade and a sequence for future classes? (For example, some schools require biology in 9th grade and chemistry before physics. Knowing the sequence can help you plan for future AP or advanced courses.)
- What electives are available to freshmen?
- How can students get involved in clubs, athletics, or student government?
Orientation helps students shift from a “middle school mindset” to a “high school mindset.” In middle school, effort may have mattered more than grades, but in high school, your GPA starts accumulating from the very first semester. By understanding the stakes and resources early, you’ll be able to navigate high school with confidence and purpose.
Plan Your Courses
Some U.S. schools have counselors who help students plan high school courses at the end of the 8th grade. If your school does this, take it seriously, as it will shape your academic path for the next four years. We have also published a guide to help students create a four-year high school plan.
This summer is the perfect time to understand what courses you should take:
- What courses are required for graduation, and which are recommended for competitive colleges?
- Which AP or advanced courses might I take later, and what are their prerequisites?
- What subjects excite me, and how do they connect to potential college majors or careers?
Research Extracurricular Activities
Extracurricular activities are essential for a well-rounded high school experience. They’re not just about impressing colleges, they’re about discovering what you love, who you are, and how you work with others. And the best time to explore your options? The summer before 9th grade.
- What clubs and student organizations does your school offer?
- Are there sports, arts, or volunteer opportunities?
- Which activities align with your interests and college goals?
The earlier you start, the sooner you’ll build friendships, discover your passions, and even lay the groundwork for future recommendation letters. We published a list of the most popular extracurricular activities for high school students.
For Rising 10th Graders: Start Exploring and Find Your Direction
By the time you finish 9th grade, you’ve already adjusted to the academic and social rhythm of high school. Now, as you approach sophomore year, it’s time to move beyond adjustment and start exploring. The summer before 10th grade presents a powerful opportunity to begin uncovering your interests, building real-world experiences, and preparing yourself for future leadership and college applications.
Hands-On Exploration: Doing is More Valuable Than Dreaming
Sophomore year is the perfect time to move from abstract ideas to real-world experiences. Rather than imagining what a career might be like, try stepping into it—even in small ways. Gaining a glimpse of real environments will sharpen your goals, deepen your self-awareness, and help you stand out in the long run.
- Part-Time Jobs: Working for a few weeks at places like cafés, libraries, stationery shops, or summer camps can help you understand workplace dynamics, service processes, and teamwork, while also building responsibility and communication skills.
- Volunteer Work: Join community service projects or volunteer at hospitals or nonprofits, such as those involved in food distribution, senior companionship, or environmental cleanups. These experiences help develop organizational and collaboration skills while fostering a sense of social responsibility.
- Job Shadowing: If you’re curious about a specific field, shadowing someone who works in it—even for just a day or two—can offer powerful insights into what different careers are really like.
Laying the Groundwork for Future Leadership
By sophomore year, it’s time to move from participant to potential leader. While you don’t need to be a club president just yet, you should start making meaningful commitments that can evolve into leadership roles over time. Top colleges aren’t impressed by long lists of random activities—they’re looking for depth, continuity, and evidence that you’ve made an impact.
This summer, you can:
- Start participating in an extracurricular or nonprofit organization that you’re genuinely interested in continuing with
- Apply for entry-level roles, such as event assistant, content manager, or online coordinator, to build experience
- Commit to long-term involvement so you will be ready to take on leadership responsibilities by senior year
For Rising 11th Graders: 3 Strategic Moves to Prepare for College Applications
Having completed 10th grade, the summer before your junior year is no longer just about exploration—it’s a critical time to build a solid foundation for college applications, boost your academic profile, and clarify your future direction.
Here are three key areas to focus on this summer:
- Strengthen Academics and Prepare for Rigorous Courses: GPA is one of the most important factors in college admissions, and summer is the perfect time to address weaker subjects and fill in academic gaps.
- Lay the groundwork for AP/IB and advanced classes: 11th grade often brings a significant jump in course difficulty. Previewing core subjects like AP World History, Calculus, or Biology during the summer can ease the load when school starts.
- Expand academic involvement: If your schedule allows, join academic research programs, online courses, or competitions to deepen your intellectual engagement and demonstrate your academic ambition to colleges.
Begin SAT/ACT Prep to Maximize Score Gains
Many students aim to finish standardized testing during the first half of 11th grade, making summer the ideal time to study intensively and get ahead.
- Set a target score and study plan. Start with a full-length practice test to understand your baseline.
- Use school or online prep resources to structure your study schedule.
- If you’ve already taken your first test, use the summer to retake and improve your score for a stronger application.
Build Your College Application Framework and Visit Campuses
College applications can feel overwhelming, but if you start planning now, you’ll reduce stress and make better decisions later.
- Create an initial college list: Narrow it down to 10–15 schools based on location, size, majors, cost, and selectivity.
- Learn key application terms: Understand Early Action (EA), Early Decision (ED), scholarships, and financial aid.
- Schedule campus visits (virtual or in-person): Visiting a college helps you get a real sense of each school and gather material for your future essays.
For Rising 12th Graders: Enter the College Application Action Phase
The summer before 12th grade marks the official launch of the college application process. From drafting essays and finalizing school lists to organizing recommendation letters and researching scholarships, the work you put in now will determine how smoothly you navigate application season.
Here’s how to make the most of this summer:
Finalize Your College List and Application Strategy
- Your college list should be narrowed down to 5–10 target schools by now.
- Schedule final campus visits, paying attention to curriculum details, campus culture, and financial aid opportunities.
- If you’re retaking the SAT/ACT, summer is the time to prep.
- Create your application accounts (for example, Common App) and get familiar with submission timelines and document requirements.
Don’t Wait Until School Starts to Begin Writing Your Essays
- Summer is the ideal time to brainstorm and draft your personal statement, which will give you time for revisions and feedback.
- If any schools require supplemental essays, use the summer to gather prompts and begin outlining your responses.
Get Ahead on Recommendation Letters
- Reach out early to the teachers or counselors you’d like to write recommendations for you—the sooner, the better.
- Choose teachers who know you well and can speak to your growth and strengths in the classroom.
- Help your recommender by sharing a resume or recommendation packet with information about your academic record, goals, and intended schools. This will make their job easier and strengthen the final letter.
Bonus Support: Let Aralia Help You Stand Out
As you shape your college applications, academic excellence and distinguished extracurriculars can make all the difference. Aralia’s AP and IB Preparation Classes are designed to help you master advanced coursework, improve your GPA, and feel confident heading into 12th-grade classes.
Looking to strengthen your profile with standout writing samples or national recognition? Our Writing Competition Preparation Programs guide students through high-level essay contests, helping them build writing portfolios that impress admissions officers and may even lead to awards and publications.
Whether you’re striving for academic rigor, writing accolades, or a more compelling personal narrative, Aralia is here to support your journey every step of the way.
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