Gameplan | Ivy Quest

Freshman Year (Grade 9)

Theme: Start strong. Explore everything. Build your foundation.

Academics:

Your academic performance in 9th grade sets the tone for the rest of high school. GPA officially begins here, and many competitive universities evaluate this year seriously.

Prioritize core subjects: math, science, language arts, social studies, and a foreign language. Strive to get As wherever possible.

Develop consistent study habits by experimenting with methods like the Pomodoro Technique, active recall, and spaced repetition.

Attend teacher office hours regularly, not just for help, but to build academic relationships.

Take initiative by asking insightful questions in class or seeking clarification beyond what's expected.

Start building independent reading habits: choose books in diverse subjects to expand vocabulary and critical thinking.

Supplement classroom learning with platforms like Khan Academy, Brilliant.org, and EdX to reinforce or deepen understanding.

Need help building your profile? Talk to our Academic Counselor for a customized timeline.

Extracurriculars:

Join a variety of school clubs and organizations. Your goal is exploration, not expertise.

Balance academic-focused activities (like science club, coding, or math team) with creative and service-based ones (like theatre, art, or volunteer club).

Attend at least 3–5 school events—panels, guest speakers, fundraisers—to start networking within your school community.

Explore free community resources: public library workshops, museum events, or community center activities.

Consider joining an external hobby group (youth orchestra, robotics league, or local nonprofit).

Personal Projects & Profile Building:

Begin a Passion Journal: log thoughts, project ideas, articles of interest, or reflections on what energizes you.
Try creating something personal and low-pressure:
- Write short fiction or poetry on a blog
- Make digital art and post it weekly
- Interview family members and create a "family history" archive

Document everything: keep a Google Drive folder for your work, reflections, and project outputs.

College Planning:

Begin college awareness by browsing college websites, watching student vlogs, and exploring virtual tours on YouTube or CampusReel.

Create a resume template and update it each semester with academics, awards, and activities.

Explore goal-setting by creating a vision board or setting long-term academic and personal goals in a digital journal.

Open accounts on CollegeBoard and BigFuture to explore potential paths early.

If possible, join a school-based college planning workshop or guidance seminar.

Contact an official counselor regarding professional and personal sessions for your journey to an ivy

Contact

Sophomore year (Grade 10)

Theme: Clarify your interests. Start deepening your knowledge. Take initiative.

Academics:

Enroll in more challenging coursework (Honors, Pre-IB, or dual-credit classes if available).

Choose electives that align with areas you enjoyed in 9th grade. Depth is more important than breadth going forward.

Work to increase your GPA if needed and focus on consistency across subjects.

Prepare for the PSAT/NMSQT (typically in October). While practice is light, begin familiarizing yourself with the structure.

Read at least 3–5 nonfiction books this year in areas related to potential majors.

Start forming stronger bonds with your teachers — you may later need them for recommendation letters.

Need guidance on building an academic schedule or selecting electives? Contact our Academic Counselor for a personalized consultation.

Extracurriculars:

Trim your list of clubs to the top 2–4 that you most enjoy or feel committed to.

Apply for smaller leadership roles: secretary, publicity chair, or event coordinator.

Enter school-level or regional competitions — science fairs, essay contests, Olympiads, or performing arts events.

Explore summer camps or programs that align with your interest area. Apply in the winter or early spring.

Participate in weekend intensives or online programs to explore new disciplines.

Personal Projects & Profile Building:

Commit to a year-long personal project
- Start a YouTube channel or podcast
- Build a simple web app or mobile game
- Conduct your own science or social research and publish findings in a blog or magazine

Build your online presence with a portfolio website (Notion, Wix, or Google Sites). Include descriptions, links, photos, and short bios.
Keep a personal reflection log: write 250 words every month on what you learned, struggled with, and accomplished, and what changed your life.

College Planning:

Attend at least two college admissions webinars or virtual student Q&As.

Continue updating your resume and tracking awards.

Take 1–2 career interest quizzes to refine major ideas.

Research one college per month—note down its values, unique programs, and admission criteria.

Join mailing lists for 3–5 schools that interest you.

Contact an official counselor regarding professional and personal sessions for your journey to an ivy

Contact

Junior Year (Grade 11)

Theme: Showcase your strengths. Deepen your specialization. Build a standout profile.

Academics:

This is the most critical academic year. Aim to maintain or improve your GPA across all subjects.

Enroll in AP, IB, or A-Level classes wherever available, especially in areas tied to your prospective major.

Begin SAT or ACT test prep early in the year. Take full-length diagnostic tests and analyze weaknesses.

Learn how to take notes effectively across different disciplines. Cornell note-taking or Zettelkasten can be useful.

Find ways to study collaboratively with peers—form subject study groups to keep motivation high.

Want help choosing AP subjects or preparing a study plan? Schedule a 1:1 session with our Academic Counselor.

Extracurriculars:

Go all-in on 1–2 activities that showcase a clear interest or "spike."

Seek significant leadership roles or national-level recognition.

Plan and execute one community-oriented project with measurable results.

Apply to highly selective summer programs (RSI, TASS, YYGS, SSP, Governor’s School).

Document your activities with metrics: number of people reached, funds raised, hours spent, etc.

Personal Projects & Profile Building:

Build your capstone project:
- Write a self-published book or zin
- Complete an independent research paper and submit to journals or fairs
- Launch a small nonprofit or community-based website
- Create a curriculum or digital toolkit for others
Reach out to mentors: professors, alumni, or local professionals who can guide your growth.

Refine your portfolio and start gathering strong visual documentation of your work.

College Planning:

Build a college list with target, reach, and safety schools. Track GPA, SAT/ACT ranges, acceptance rates, and application types.

Start brainstorming and outlining your Common App essay over the summer.

Draft your extracurricular activities list with detailed, quantified entries.

Attend virtual college fairs and local info sessions. Start preparing specific "Why Us?" notes for top-choice schools.

Discuss financial planning and timelines with your family.

Contact an official counselor regarding professional and personal sessions for your journey to an ivy

Contact

Senior year (Grade 12)

Theme: Polish your story. Execute the application. Celebrate your journey.

Academics:

Maintain strong academic performance, especially in the first semester. Colleges evaluate these transcripts.

Finish final AP/IB coursework and submit internal assessments.

Seek opportunities for academic distinction, such as school awards, department recognition, or external competitions.

Optional: Submit academic work (papers, projects) in online publications or repositories.

Need help balancing college apps with final-year academics? Talk to our Academic Counselor for a customized timeline.

Extracurriculars:

Finalize and highlight the outcomes of your major extracurricular involvements.

Document impact: number of people helped, workshops hosted, articles written, code deployed.

If relevant, mentor younger students or transfer leadership responsibilities thoughtfully.

Package your journey: write blog posts or create a digital scrapbook that reflects your personal growth.

Personal Projects & Profile Building:

Ensure your portfolio website is comprehensive, organized, and updated with your most important work.

Request letters of recommendation from teachers who know you well — give them your updated resume and a summary of your achievements.

Prepare for alumni or admissions interviews: practice articulating your goals, story, and alignment with specific universities.

Organize your Google Drive or college application folder so everything is accessible.

College Planning:

Submit Early Action and Early Decision applications by October/November.

Complete Regular Decision applications by December/January.

Apply for scholarships regularly—both school-specific and independent.

Submit financial aid forms (FAFSA/CSS Profile) on time.

Track application statuses, interview invitations, and acceptance letters.

After acceptances, attend admitted student days, weigh offers, and finalize enrollment.

Celebrate and document your journey—write reflections, thank mentors, and take time to rest.

Contact an official counselor regarding professional and personal sessions for your journey to an ivy

Contact

Freshman Year (Grade 9)

Academics:

Extracurriculars: ​

Personal Projects & Profile Building:

College Planning:

Extracurriculars: