For Parents

10th grade is a crucial time to strengthen academic performance, take more rigorous courses, and double down on a meaningful slate of extracurriculars. It’s also a great year to start exploring career paths and building a competitive college profile.

Success Koach can help sophomores create a clear, step-by-step plan to stay on track for college.

Sophomores should focus on maintaining a strong GPA, preparing for the PSAT, identifying leadership opportunities, and beginning to research colleges. Building positive habits now leads to confidence and clarity in junior and senior years. More serious summer engagements are also incredibly important for 10th grade, as this summer sets the stage for what students will do in their critical summer before application season as a rising senior.

At Success Koach, we support 10th graders with personalized strategies to help them stand out early.

A college prep program like the Success Koach admissions track generally includes academic/extracurricular advising and application support for internships, summer opportunities, and ultimately, college admissions.. It’s designed to help students meet college expectations and prepare academically and personally.

Yes! Colleges look at 10th grade as part of the overall academic trajectory. It's a year when students often take more challenging classes, and their growth during this time helps demonstrate academic maturity and commitment.

Success Koach works with students in 10th grade to ensure their academic and extracurricular choices align with future goals.

11th grade is a pivotal year for college preparation. Students should focus on maintaining strong grades, taking challenging courses (honors, AP, or dual enrollment), making a plan to take the SAT/ACT, and building a balanced college list. Relationship-building with teachers or mentors is another critical piece of junior year, as letters of recommendation are generally requested junior spring. 11th grade is also the perfect time to solidify interest in majors and prospective career paths. Success Koach can support juniors with test prep strategies, college research, and academic planning to stay competitive.

College prep typically starts in 9th grade and continues through 12th grade. It includes rigorous academic coursework, personal development, and strategic planning for college admissions.

Success Koach helps students at every grade level—from building college prep foundations to finalizing applications.

A 2.3 GPA is below average for most college admissions. However, it's not the end of the road. There are still opportunities to raise your GPA, improve test scores, and strengthen other parts of your application like essays, interviews, and demonstrated extracurricular leadership. Success Koach offers personalized academic coaching to help students improve their performance and unlock their full potential.

Yes! Many high school juniors are eligible to take college-level courses through dual enrollment programs or community colleges. These classes can boost transcripts, show academic initiative, and even earn college credit.

To prepare your 9th grader for college, focus on strong academic habits, begin broaching areas of academic or pre-professional interest, and encourage extracurricular involvement. Early college prep in 9th grade builds a solid foundation for future success.

Many people think that college prep classes in high school are essential. We find that college prep is best done on a student-by-student basis so that each individual can get advice to meet their specific goals. Success Koach provides just such 1-on-1 guidance to help students.

Absolutely. While colleges weigh later high school years more heavily, 9th grade matters. It sets your GPA, establishes study habits, and lays the groundwork for a strong college prep track.

College prep typically starts in 9th grade and spans all four years of high school. It includes a mix of core academics, challenging electives, leadership roles, and early planning for college admissions. College prep really is a marathon—not a sprint.

Start strong and stay ahead. Learn how Success Koach can support your student from freshman year through senior year.

To improve your chances, focus on academic excellence, extracurricular leadership, strong recommendation letters, and a compelling personal statement. Success Koach provides expert guidance to help craft standout applications.

A GPA of 4.0 or higher is typically needed for competitive applicants. However, exceptional achievements in other areas can also boost your chances. Success Koach offers personalized strategies to strengthen your profile.

No, Harvard primarily evaluates high school performance, but early academic success can set a strong foundation for college admissions.

While technically possible, selective universities like Harvard have generally moved away from accepting exceptionally young applicants. This shift recognizes that college isn't just about academics, but encompasses broader personal growth and development. The college experience—with its social dynamics, independent living, and complex decision-making—is designed for late adolescents whose emotional and social development aligns with these challenges. Even academically brilliant 15-year-olds may not be developmentally ready for the holistic college experience that selective schools value. Gifted younger students often benefit more from enriched high school programs or dual enrollment options. (Which can set the stage for competitive college prospects down the line.)

There is no strict minimum, but admitted students typically have a 3.9+ GPA. Strong extracurriculars, compelling essays, or exceptional personal circumstances can sometimes compensate for a lower GPA.

A 32 ACT score is below Harvard’s average, but outstanding extracurriculars and essays can help balance it.

A perfect SAT score improves your chances but does not guarantee admission. Even with a perfect 1600 on the SAT and a 4.0 GPA, your chances of admission to Harvard hover around 10%. Harvard uses essays, interviews, and recommendations to narrow the pack beyond test scores.

A 5.0 GPA (on a weighted scale) demonstrates strong academic performance, but admissions decisions also depend on other factors.

Yes, most Ivy League schools charge an application fee, but fee waivers are available for eligible students. Some colleges have their own fee waivers, while some broader platforms like the Common Application allow you to apply for a broader multi-school waiver.

Harvard's application fee is typically around $85, though fee waivers are available.

College admissions refer to the process of applying and being evaluated for acceptance into a college or university. It involves submitting applications, transcripts, test scores, essays, and recommendation letters.

Stanford University and the California Institute of Technology (Caltech) are often ranked as the top colleges in California, depending on the ranking criteria. However, these overall rankings don't tell the complete story of educational excellence. Program-specific strengths are frequently more relevant to students than general institutional rankings—UC Berkeley might excel in computer science, UC Davis in agricultural sciences, USC in film, or Cal Poly San Luis Obispo in engineering, despite varying overall rankings. When choosing a college, students should consider departmental strengths, faculty expertise, and specific programs aligned with their academic interests rather than focusing solely on an institution's overall prestige.

The required GPA varies by institution. Competitive colleges often expect a GPA of 3.5 or higher, while other colleges have open admissions policies. A common misconception is that a good GPA is the silver bullet for admissions to a top school—and that a lower GPA is a non-starter. Especially for selective liberal arts schools, this isn’t the case; factors like essays, interviews, and recommendations figure into the application process much more heavily than applicants often realize.

It depends on your goals. In an increasingly competitive admissions landscape, students with aspirations for highly-selective schools generally have to pursue a heavy application load. Experts recommend applying to a balanced mix of reach, match, and safety schools—our students typically submit between 15 and 20 applications.

Common college admission requirements include high school transcripts, standardized test scores (SAT/ACT), recommendation letters, essays, and extracurricular activities. Different schools may request different metrics or materials; you can usually find information on the school’s admissions website or on their application portal, but we work with students to map all materials that will be required depending on their list.

The 5 C’s include Curriculum, Campus, Community, Career, and Cost, which are key factors in building a strong college list. Students often neglect to consider that college admissions is about finding the best fit, not just the fanciest name. We work with students to evaluate their goals and find colleges where they can thrive.

While many students start preparing in their junior year of high school, this approach severely limits admissions prospects. We strongly believe that beginning the college preparation process as an underclassman is essential for developing strong college prospects. A comprehensive four-year strategy that includes thoughtful academic planning, strategic summer opportunities, and consistent personal goal-setting makes the difference between mediocre and exceptional college applications. Waiting until junior year often means missing crucial chances to build impressive credentials, explore interests, and demonstrate the long-term commitment that selective institutions value.

Today's college admissions landscape is defined by hyper-selectivity and increasingly holistic review processes. Elite institutions now evaluate cryptic qualities like "demonstrated interest" and "authentic voice" alongside traditional metrics like grades and test scores, with acceptance rates plummeting below 5% at top schools. Our team of experienced advisors has successfully navigated these institutions from the inside and can provide you with the insider knowledge typically reserved for legacy students and those "in the know" – giving your student the competitive edge they deserve.

Colleges often focus on undergraduate education, while universities offer both undergraduate and graduate programs. This distinction influences factors like class sizes, professor accessibility, research opportunities, and overall campus culture that prospective students should consider when making their educational choices.

By meeting admission requirements, submitting strong applications, and demonstrating academic and extracurricular excellence.

An offer of college admission means being officially accepted to enroll in a college after meeting its academic and application requirements. It marks the start of your journey as a college student. “College admissions” more generally can refer to the application process leading up to that point.

A college admission requirement is a metric or document students must submit as part of their application. Requirements typically include GPA, test scores, coursework, essays, and recommendation letters—but these vary by school.

Students generally need a strong GPA, completion of core subjects (English, math, science, etc.), extracurricular involvement, and possibly SAT or ACT scores. Requirements vary by school; foreign language study is an especially important metric to research, as some schools have much more stringent foreign language requirements than others.

Colleges usually consider your cumulative GPA, often weighted if you're taking honors or AP classes. A higher GPA improves your chances at selective colleges. Schools almost always consider coursework from 9th-12th grade, with offers sometimes being contingent on final senior year grades.

In the U.S., “college” generally refers to undergraduate institutions, while “university” typically includes both undergraduate and graduate programs. Both generally offer bachelor’s degrees.

University admission means you've been accepted to a university’s program based on your academic qualifications and application materials. It may include a specific major or program entry as well.

To become a university, a college typically must offer graduate programs (like master's or doctoral degrees), support research, and meet certain accreditation and infrastructure standards.

Stanford University is widely considered the #1 college in California due to its academic excellence, low acceptance rate, and global reputation. Looking beyond these overall rankings reveals a more nuanced picture of educational excellence. What matters most to students are often program-specific strengths—UC Berkeley's computer science department, UC Davis's agricultural sciences, USC's film school, or Cal Poly SLO's engineering programs may be exceptional regardless of their institution's broader ranking. Students should prioritize departmental reputation, faculty quality, and program-specific opportunities that match their academic interests instead of fixating on an institution's general prestige.

Success Koach can help you build a competitive application for top California schools.

Some California colleges offering rolling admissions include:

• Azusa Pacific University

• California Baptist University

• National University

• University of La Verne

These schools review applications as they arrive, giving students more flexibility.

Like any program admission process, medical school application and acceptance is complex. While your performance and major in your undergraduate career matter the most, the prestige and rigor of your college can be considered when evaluating your application.

Taking advanced science classes, participating in research experiences, cultivating science/health extracurriculars, and shadowing doctors are great ways to prepare for a career in the medical field. Contact us to help develop a plan!

According to the Association of American Medical Colleges (AAMC), the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) had the highest number of applicants to U.S. MD-granting medical schools for the 2023-2024 cycle, with 1,260 applicants. However, it's important to note that a high number of applicants from a particular undergraduate institution does not necessarily equate to a higher acceptance rate into medical schools. Acceptance rates can vary based on numerous factors, including individual academic performance, extracurricular activities, and the competitiveness of the applicant pool.

The best major to prepare for medical school is one that aligns with your interests while still meeting medical school prerequisites. Common majors include:

• Biological Sciences: Covers core topics such as biology, chemistry, and anatomy that are directly relevant to preparing for medical school.

• Health Sciences: Focuses on public health, health care systems, and clinical experience.

• Chemistry/Biochemistry: Provides a solid foundation in chemistry and lab skills important for the MCAT and medical studies.

• Psychology: Provides a deep understanding of human behavior, a skill useful for patient care and the MCAT.

• Social Sciences or Humanities: While less traditional, these majors can help applicants stand out and emphasize communication and critical thinking skills.

The “best” major is one that you are passionate about, as good academic performance and a solid cumulative GPA are important factors in medical school applications.

The #1 pre-med school in the U.S. can vary depending on the criteria used (such as MCAT scores, acceptance rates, research opportunities, etc.), but Harvard University is often considered one of the top pre-med schools due to its strong academics, renowned faculty, vast resources, and excellent medical school connections.

Other top pre-med schools include Johns Hopkins University, Stanford University, and University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA), which also have exceptional programs to prepare students for medical school.

The best college for medical students is typically a medical school rather than an undergraduate institution. However, the top medical schools in the U.S. include:

• Harvard Medical School – Known for its cutting-edge research, clinical care, and global health initiatives.

• Johns Hopkins School of Medicine – Renowned for research in biomedical science and strong clinical training.

• Stanford University School of Medicine – Offers innovative education in medical sciences and a focus on leadership in healthcare.

• Mayo Clinic Alix School of Medicine – Highly regarded for its patient-centered care and medical research.

• Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania – Known for its research, clinical care, and broad global health opportunities.

These institutions consistently rank at the top due to their world-class faculty, research programs, clinical exposure, and medical training.

It is possible to navigate the college application process on your own. Lots of people do it!

But it's not easy.

Many parents report that they feel overwhelmed trying to understand complicated admissions requirements, and are unsure how to support their child or prepare them for the exams, essays, and interviews involved. Instead of googling answers to questions (and there will be a LOT of questions), you could have a trusted guide by your side to help you know what to do to support your child in achieving their goals.

Success Koach has helped dozens of students get accepted into top schools, including Berkeley, Purdue, the USC System, UT Texas, Columbia—the list goes on! The truth is that top ranked schools are not always the best fit for a student (and vice versa). College admissions is a nuanced process, and we find that by helping students explore options and focus on their unique skills, interests, and strengths, they are better prepared to be successful in life (no matter where they go to school).

Yes! Our coaching helps the student beyond just the college application. With a focus on executive functioning skills (planning, prioritizing, and accomplishing tasks) and the support of a team dedicated to their success, your child will develop better habits and better understand their own skills and interests.