The most important twelve months.
Everything admissions officers weigh most heavily comes from junior year. The final GPA before applications. The transcript showing rigor at its peak. The highest SAT or ACT score. The summer that produces a meaningful project or story. And the window between August and November, when Early Decision and Early Action applications are either submitted well, or submitted in a rush.
The Junior-Year Intensive is a full, careful twelve-month plan for the year that decides the most. We plan each quarter, add milestone sessions when the year demands them, and are always reachable by email and phone when the family has a question.
"A strong junior year is worth more than a brilliant senior year. Admissions officers do not see November of senior year. They see your child's record the day the application is submitted."
Who this is for
- Current 10th graders preparing to enter the most important year of high school.
- Current juniors who want a clear, month-by-month plan for the year ahead.
- Families who began late but want an Ivy-caliber outcome.
- Students with strong potential who will benefit from a steady, experienced hand.
The twelve-month plan
September to November · Diagnostic and PSAT
A full academic review. Diagnostic SAT and ACT to determine which test is the better fit. PSAT in October for the National Merit pipeline. Course rigor calibrated for the maximum AP or Honors load. Recommender relationships begun with junior-year core teachers.
December to February · Testing and Summer Applications
Focused SAT or ACT preparation toward a score competitive with the schools your child hopes to attend. Summer program applications submitted on time: RSI in December, TASP in January, MITES and SSP in February. Scholastic Art and Writing Awards for students who write.
March to May · First Test, AP Exams, School List
First real SAT or ACT attempt in March. AP preparation for exams in early May. Initial school list of 8 to 12 realistic targets. Personal statement brainstorming begins so the summer can write drafts, not discover the topic.
June to August · The Summer That Sets the Application
Summer program, research, or a meaningful project. Personal statement through 4 to 6 full drafts. Activities list finalized. Eight or more supplement essays drafted. Final test attempt if needed. By the end of August, the application is nearly ready.
September to November 1 · Early Decision Submit
Early Decision or Early Action school locked. Final essay polish. Recommendations requested and submitted. Test scores sent. Submitted by November 1, ready and rested.
What's included
- Quarterly planning meetings with your mentor, with brief checkins between them.
- Regular check-ins between meetings so no week is a drift.
- Email and phone access to the mentor team whenever a family needs us.
- Quarterly strategy reviews with the founder.
- Structured SAT or ACT preparation with weekly score targets.
- Course load calibration and second-semester recalibration.
- Summer program research, applications, and placement.
- Extracurricular and competition roadmap tailored to your child.
- Full Common App build: school list, activities list, personal statement, 6 to 8 supplement essays, recommenders.
- Early Decision strategy and submission.
What we ask in return
A student who shows up to each meeting ready to work, and a family who supports the cadence at home. Junior year asks a great deal of a child, and the program only works when everyone is rowing in the same direction. If that is what your family is ready for, we will match it with all the care and experience we have to offer.
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