Even students with top GPAs, polished résumés, and strong test scores were turned away from colleges that once felt like solid targets. Application volume surged. Admit rates dropped. The ground shifted—again.

Here’s what we know:

• Early Decision filled more than 50% of spots at many top colleges.
• Standardized testing came roaring back—quietly but decisively.
• “Fit to major” isn’t a bonus anymore—it’s the expectation.

So where does that leave your teen? Standing at the edge of summer—with a rare opportunity to regroup, reflect, and recalibrate. This can be a season of stress, or it can be a turning point. Here’s how to make it the latter.

We’ve broken it down by grade level, so you know exactly what matters right now—and how to help your student use this summer to grow with clarity and direction.

For Rising Seniors: The Summer of Execution

This is the summer where everything counts.

What your rising senior can do this summer:

• Build a balanced list. Include reach, possible, and match schools. Public flagships like UT Austin, Georgia, and Michigan are no longer safe bets, even for in-state applicants
• Start those essays—now. Begin with the personal statement. Authentic voice beats perfection every time.
• Deepen academic-aligned activities. Whether it’s a research project, internship, or service tied to their intended major, make it count.
• Prep for testing or re-testing. If scores are strong, they still open doors—especially at selective or test-optional-but-not-really schools.
• Update their expanded résumé. Especially for schools like UT Austin, this piece isn’t optional—it’s vital to telling their story.

Your role as a parent: Be the compass, not the project manager. Help them zoom out, prioritize, and take steady steps. Celebrate progress, not perfection.

For Rising Juniors: The Summer of Initiative

This is the “start to own it” summer. Rising juniors are no longer just exploring—they’re beginning to build a narrative. Admissions teams look for depth, direction, and initiative, not just a laundry list of activities.

What your rising junior can do this summer:

• Go deeper in 1–2 key areas. Whether it’s robotics, writing, or volunteer work—deepen impact rather than adding more.
• Start something. A blog, a tutoring group, a small business—initiative and creativity matter.
• Align activities with major interests. If they’re unsure, focus on values: What do they care about? Who do they want to help?
• Begin light test prep. Summer is a great time for diagnostics or a prep course to build early confidence.
• Reflect regularly. A simple weekly journal or voice memo can become essay gold next year.

Your role as a parent: Ask questions that spark self-direction: What do you want to create? Where do you want to lead? Then step back and let them try—knowing some experiments will fail, and that’s okay.

For Rising Sophomores: The Summer of Exploration

This is the summer to try things on—without pressure. Sophomore summer is all about exposure. Students don’t need to commit—they need to collect clues about what lights them up and what doesn’t.

How to guide them:

• Encourage curiosity. One-week camps, online classes, or local jobs all count.
• Track interests. Keep a “major possibilities” list—no pressure, just patterns.
• Step into small leadership. Organize an event, help train a new team member, or take on a new role in an activity.
• Volunteer with purpose. Helping others can spark confidence—and future passions.
• Reflect together. Ask: What did you enjoy most this week? What felt like a chore?

Your role as a parent: Frame this as a “choose your own adventure” season. There are no wrong turns—just valuable discoveries.

For Rising Freshmen: The Summer of Connection

High school is coming—and with it, a new identity. Rising 9th graders are moving from childhood interests to high school involvement. This is the time to explore freely and connect the dots between what they love and how they contribute.

What helps at this stage:

• Try something unfamiliar. A new camp, an intro class, or even helping with a family project can spark new passions.
• Connect interest to action. Love animals? Try volunteering at a shelter. Fascinated by stories? Explore yearbook or journalism.
• Attend high school events. Go to an open house, sports game, or performance. Seeing the possibilities makes school feel more theirs.
• Log their joys. Encourage them to track what excites or drains them—it’s early data for later decision-making.

Your role as a parent: Be their mirror, not their megaphone. Help them notice patterns—but let them drive the discovery.

The Bottom Line:

Yes, this year’s admissions cycle was fierce. But here’s what we saw in the students who thrived:

 ✅ They had a plan.
✅ They acted early.
✅ They built depth, not just breadth.
✅ They aligned what they did with who they are.

And that’s a roadmap your student can follow, too.



No matter their grade, this summer offers one thing that’s in short supply during the school year: space.