<p>Some ideas for getting into a good college that have slowly developed after going through this with both Ds</p>
<p>I think the school doesn’t matter as much as the student (barring truly horrific fit problems), but I am consistently surprised how schools (boarding, private or day) do little of the following:</p>
<p>1) I think families can help their students focus on what makes them stand out and foster it during summers starting after 8th or 9th grade. This can be in collaboration with counselors and advisors and is especially relevant to Boarding School kids. We did this a lot, even with D at Exeter. </p>
<p>2) Enter any high school with a very good sense of the specific curriculum, any “tracking” or prerequisites needed, especially in math, and a tentative 4 year game plan. Meet with a counselor if needed (I had my D tromp in to the relevant Dept. chair’s office with a 4 year game plan when she arrived - a little aggressive, I agree, but it gets kids familiar with the curriculum, requirements, and trade-offs since they can’t take every class.) Unexpected curves will come your way, so be ready to adapt the plan. Know the curriculum inside out.</p>
<p>3) Encourage exploration of different extra-curriculuars early. Then focus on a couple of them.</p>
<p>4) Encourage supportive friendships</p>
<p>5) If practice is needed with standardized tests, start early and often. Know about SAT II tests EARLY, prep for PSAT if they may be NMSF material. Schools will not tell you these things. </p>
<p>6) Encourage students to talk with teachers, ask questions after class, visit their offices. When letter of rec times come it will be much more natural</p>
<p>7) Little failures mean they are trying new things. Cool. Encourage. Big failures mean they need help. Help.</p>