12TH GRADE
12th grade—Summer:
You’ve made it through junior year—and now you’re facing down the last culminating experience of high school: college applications. Before we get to that though, this summer should be primarily focused on your summer programs, whether you are volunteering, doing research, working, or pursuing something personal. Prestige matters little here—instead, focus on using this time wisely: expanding your base of knowledge and reflecting deeply on what and why you are passionate about your chosen activities. This reflection is key, as your college essays will require you to share how different experiences (personal and academic) have shaped you as a person.
If you haven’t yet, this is also a good time to take your SAT/ACT because once college applications get going—it will be difficult to find the right bandwidth and schedule to do them. Work with your navigation mentor to develop a college list, reach out to your recommenders before the end of summer, and start brainstorming ideas for your core essay. One way to begin is with building your resume: compiling all the activities you’ve done since high school.
12th Grade—Fall:
This is your final fall semester of high school, and your last chance to show college who you are. Your courses should reflect the pursuit for knowledge that continues on from junior year—but be judicious: don’t force yourself to take courses that you don’t genuinely care about. Cultivate your well-being, self-awareness, and authenticity—especially as you get started on college essays.
This semester will be a balance between keeping your grades up, leading in extracurriculars, and diving into college applications. The personal statements and supplemental essays are among the most important parts of your application and as such, they take time, reflection, and revision. Expect to be going through multiple drafts, starting and restarting as you reflect back on the key moments of your life. These essays are a marathon, not a sprint. The earlier you start, the more time you have to reflect and tailor them to the colleges that you are interested in. Reach out to your navigation mentor to craft strong responses and weave a coherent, compelling narrative.
Keep track of deadlines carefully: early admission is typically between October 15th and November 1st, UCs are due by November 30th, and regular admissions have deadlines that range from early to mid January. Also remember to:
Request recommendation letters early (no later than September)
Finalize your resume/activity list
Register/Submit SAT/ACT scores
Stay involved with extracurriculars!
Finally, use your winter break wisely. The finishing touch of your essays should be completed during this time, and ensure that you have enough time to double check that everything is submitted properly. Procrastination will only lead to unnecessary stress—so use those skills that you’ve been honing. Now is the time to put them to the test!
12th Grade—Spring:
You are just about finished! Finally, college applications are behind you. Take some time to rest and relax after that last submission—you’ve definitely earned it. All that’s left to do now is to wait—most admissions decisions are released between February and the end of March. If you are waitlisted anywhere, reach out to your navigation mentor for guidance on writing letters of continued interest and for strategizing next steps. Schools may reach out to schedule alumni interviews with you—make sure you do a few practice interviews before meeting with the school interviewer.
If you are deciding between multiple offers, your mentor can also help with figuring out which environment might be the best fit for you—taking into account not just ranking but also culture, academic environment, location, and long-term goals. The national decision deadline is typically May 1st—so make your decisions before then.
Don’t let your grades slip too much — colleges can rescind you and you’ll want to do well for your AP exams as they may help with advanced placement. Write thank you notes to the people that have helped you along the way. Pass on the baton for your school organization. And maybe think about picking up a job for the summer—it’s a great way to get some real world experience before heading off to college. Enjoy the summer, and celebrate all of the hard work from these past four years!