I need help with four year planning for a 9th grader

Answer 1

Hi Srujana! Four-year planning might be a bit more involved than we can effectively answer here on "Ask An Expert," especially since we don't know anything about your 9th grader. Have you considered posting on the "Request a Tutor" page instead? Remember that Wyzant offers a Good Fit Guarantee to refund you for your first hour with a tutor in case you are dissatisfied.

That being said, here are some things that might be helpful to think about in your planning:

1. Scheduling high school classes can be a bear, so it is good to know well in advance what classes your student needs to take and start figuring out how to fit them all in. It is important to consider a number of things, including your high school graduation requirements, what classes colleges will be looking for on a transcript, and what support is available for subjects your student struggles with. Keep in mind that many colleges look to see if your student is taking the most challenging classes your high school offers - for some schools that may be an Honors class, for other schools it may be a few Advanced Placement classes, and for some it may be the International Baccalaureate Diploma Program. These classes won't be right for every student, but it is worth considering what options are available at your school.
2. Standardized testing comes up faster than you might think, and although some colleges are moving away from their emphasis on test scores, many still use them as important pieces of the admissions process. Being prepared ahead of time by knowing when your student needs to take the PSAT, SAT, ACT (and any additional subject tests they might excel in) in order to send their scores to colleges on time, and starting test preparation early, is key to success. Familiarizing yourself with any information on fee waivers and other logistics is also helpful. It is also worth planning enough buffer time for your student to take tests more than once, in case they are dissatisfied with their score, or something goes wrong on the day of the test.
3. Start brainstorming with your student about the story your student's college application will tell. Extracurriculars, an interview (in some cases), and a personal essay that leave admissions councilors with a lasting and cohesive impression of a person who shows dedication, leadership, service to others, resilience, or other favorable traits can play an important role in your application outcomes. Have they always wanted to be a vet and have the years of consistent hours volunteering at an animal shelter to prove it? Do they find themselves in positions of leadership no matter what club they join, drawn by a desire to change things for the better? Is there an activity they are incredibly passionate about and have thus shown great improvement in? Colleges often use the stories that student applications tell to try to assemble a well-rounded and harmonious class of students, so showcasing what would make your student an asset to their campus culture is big.

There are plenty of other things to consider, but here's a place to start. Every student's path to success will be as unique as they are. I hope this helps!