S5E24: How to Start High School the Right Way: A 9th Grade Walkthrough to College Admissions

🎓 Want help building a thoughtful high school and college admissions strategy? Learn more about Admittedly and how our team of former Ivy+ admissions officers helps students and families plan academics, extracurriculars, summers, testing, college lists, applications, and more.

Freshman year isn't about building the perfect college application. It's about building the habits, academic foundation, relationships, and curiosity that will give you more options later.

In this episode of The Admittedly Podcast, Thomas Caleel shares what ninth graders (and their parents) should actually be thinking about as they begin high school. From choosing rigorous courses and building relationships with teachers to exploring extracurriculars, asking for help early, and making the most of freshman summer, Thomas explains how to start strong without turning ninth grade into an admissions pressure cooker.

Key Takeaways Why your ninth-grade academic choices can shape your options later in high school How to build strong relationships with teachers from day one Why freshman year is the time to explore activities How to recognize academic struggles early and ask for help before you're playing catch-up Why intellectual curiosity matters more than knowing your future major at 14 How parents can support exploration without imposing their own expectations What to start thinking about now to make freshman summer meaningful Conclusion Ninth grade is a transition, and no student needs to have everything figured out. But for students with highly selective college ambitions, drifting through freshman year isn't a strategy either. Focus on strong academic habits, explore what genuinely interests you, build relationships, ask for help when you need it, and use this year to create a foundation you can build on throughout high school.

🎓 Want help building a thoughtful high school and college admissions strategy? Learn more about Admittedly and how our team of former Ivy+ admissions officers helps students and families plan academics, extracurriculars, summers, testing, college lists, applications, and more.

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