Heading into Senior Year: Your Summer Game Plan ☀️

Rising high school seniors are just weeks away from the finish line! While summer is meant for

well-deserved rest, taking a few strategic steps before school starts will save families countless

hours of stress once application deadlines, classes, and extracurriculars align.

Here is what we recommend rising seniors focus on before the first day of school:

● Draft the Personal Statement: The Common App prompts are live all summer. Crafting

a solid working draft now leaves plenty of room for thoughtful revisions—without the

pressure of homework and exam schedules. Even if you are not sure where to start,

begin your brainstorming during the summer!

● Finalize the College List: Narrow down a balanced list of safety, target, and reach

schools. Pay close attention to early deadlines (Early Decision/Early Action) so there are

no surprises come fall.

● Organize the Resume & Brag Sheet: Detail all extracurricular achievements,

leadership roles, volunteer hours, and work history into one organized master list. This

makes filling out application activity sections seamless.

● Confirm Letters of Recommendation: If students haven't already asked two core

academic teachers for recommendations, reaching out early with a polite request gives

educators a helpful head start.

● Set Up an Application Calendar: Map out testing dates, application submission goals,

and financial aid deadlines (FAFSA/CSS Profile) in one shared space.

● Complete Summer Reading & Coursework: Finish any required books, projects, or

prep assignments for AP, IB, or Honors classes early. Rushing through heavy reading in

the final days before school starts only sets a stressful tone for the semester.

A little proactive effort over the remaining summer weeks turns what can be an overwhelming

process into a manageable, confident launch into senior year.

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