Starting Early: What Middle Schoolers' Parents Need to Know About College Prep

"Mom, Dad, what should I do to get into the best college?"

Your heart skips a beat.

You pause, feeling a rush of emotions.

It feels like just yesterday they were playing with toys, and now they're thinking about college and careers.

You want to steer them in the right direction, but where do you start?

Take a deep breath.

At this stage, it's not about adding pressure. It's about nurturing potential.

The approach should be simple: encourage your child to explore, learn, and grow without the burden of college admissions looming overhead. 

This newsletter should be enough to clear all your doubts. Read on to find more.

What Should Parents and Students Be Doing? 

As a parent, you need to create an environment that fosters the inquisitiveness of students and permits them to explore their desires. Here is how you can make a best-designed environment.

When it comes to students, they can try new subjects and extracurricular activities and step out of their comfort zone by taking on new opportunities.

Take time to examine how your child approaches learning tasks naturally. The picture portrays seven major learning styles:

1. Visual (spatial) learning – using pictures, images, and spatial understanding.

2. Aural (auditory) learning – using sound and music.

3. Verbal (linguistic) learning – using words, both in speech and writing.

4. Physical (kinesthetic) learning – using their body, hands, and sense of touch.

5. Logical (mathematical) learning – using logic, reasoning, and systems.

6. Social (interpersonal)  learning – learning in groups or with other people.

7. Solitary (intrapersonal) learning – working alone and self-study.

Once you've identified your child's learning preferences, help them develop suitable study techniques. For example:

• Visual learners: Create colorful mind maps or diagrams together

• Auditory learners: Encourage them to record lessons or create songs about the material

• Kinesthetic learners: Use hands-on activities or movement to reinforce learning

Step-by-Step Action Plan: Preparing Your Middle Schooler for College Success

1. Build a Strong Foundation

Mastering essential skills in middle school lays the groundwork for future academic success.

You need to focus on five main areas to build a strong foundation:

🎯Math: Practice solving problems regularly, even if it means 15-20 minutes a day. Concentrate on understanding ideas rather than cramming formulas alone.

🎯Reading: Make it your goal to read a certain number of pages or for a certain amount of time every day. Select books that interest you, but also challenge yourself with more difficult texts. Keep a vocabulary journal and look up any words that you do not know. To deepen your understanding, talk about what you have read with other people, like friends, family, and teachers.

🎯 Writing: Write essays, stories, journal entries, etc. in different forms. Try using prompts from The Common App, which are things asked of students applying to US colleges and universities.

🎯 STEM : If you are passionate about Science, Technology, Engineering, or Mathematics (STEM), consider joining coding classes or clubs, robotics teams, or other STEM-related extracurricular activities.

🎯 Study Skills: Develop a consistent study routine and stick to it. Break big tasks into smaller, manageable chunks and set specific goals for each study session. Use active recall techniques like flashcards, quizzes, or teaching others to reinforce your learning. During study time, recognize and minimize distractions like social media or TV.

2. Get a Head Start on High School Planning

Check the various high schools available to your child, including public, private, charter, and magnet schools. If you reside outside the United States, research the secondary school options and requirements specific to your country.

Consider the following factors:

• Academic programs and courses offered (plan to take challenging courses like honors and AP classes)

• Extracurricular offerings

• School culture

• Location

• Past College Placement and Alumni

Go through any brochures provided, the school’s official websites, and any other resources.

To top it all, attend high school information sessions and talk to current students and alumni to get a better understanding of what to expect. This way, you can test whether or not high schools stand for the promises they are making. 

3. Participating in Math Competitions

Math contest participation is a great way for students to develop problem-solving skills, push their limits, and foster a love of math.

These contests allow students to meet like-minded peers, learn about various mathematical concepts, and boost their self-esteem.

4. PSAT 8/9 Preparation

The PSAT 8/9 is part of the College Board’s SAT Suite of Assessments; it serves as an early check-in on college readiness for eighth and ninth graders.

• Reading and Writing Test: 64 minutes, 54 questions

• Math Test: 70 minutes, 44 questions

Preparation Strategies: 

5. Gifted Child Programs 

Gifted programs are designed to provide educational opportunities for high-achieving students.

They often include faster-paced curricula, deeper dives into subjects, and critical thinking skill development.

Here are two highly regarded programs:

👉 Cognitive Abilities Test (CogAT)

Purpose: Usually used by schools when placing students into gifted programs.

Structure:

👉 School and College Ability Test (SCAT)

Purpose: The SCAT (School and College Ability Test) is a standardized assessment utilized by the Johns Hopkins Center for Talented Youth (CTY) to identify gifted students from 2nd to 12th grade. As an "above grade level" test, it evaluates math and verbal reasoning skills.

Additional Programs to checkout

6. Pre-AP Courses

Pre-AP courses aim to prepare students for the higher-level AP classes they will take during high school.

These courses foster critical thinking skills and introduce more demanding coursework within specific subjects. Some examples include Pre-AP Algebra 1, Pre-AP Biology, Pre-AP English 1, and Pre-AP World History and Geography.

🎯 To Get Ready:

• Talk to the present teachers about preparedness

• Look at the course syllabus and prerequisites

• Create strong study skills

Study habits include creating a consistent study schedule, learning effective note-taking techniques, and mainly practicing time management

7. Building a Strong Foundation for Future Applications

A suggested time to start building foundations for future college applications, especially LORs and personal essays, is in middle school.

To prepare for personal essays, you should start journaling to capture experiences and reflect on them. Dig deep into subjects that interest you, documenting projects and what was learned from them while improving writing skills through practice with regular feedback.

Crafting a personal narrative involves identifying recurring themes in interests and strengths. Engage in community involvement aligned with passions and learn to frame challenges as growth opportunities.

You can get a taste of college academics with these summer programs welcoming middle school applicants:

📌 The Ulysses G. Grant Foundation at Yale (Feb 23, 2024, $75 for 6-week residential)

📌 Summer Explorations at Harvard University (rolling admissions, free multi-week day program)

📌 Andover Advantage at Phillips Academy (June 15, 2024, $825 per course)

📌 Penn GEMS at the University of Pennsylvania (Mar 4, 2024, $650 for 1-week day program)

📌 Johns Hopkins Center for Talented Youth (CTY) Summer Programs (rolling admissions, $3,099 to $6,819)

📌 Duke Pre-College Program (rolling admissions, $2,150 for 1-week residential)

Why Middle School Matters

Middle school is a point in a child’s life that acts as the stepping stone to his or her growth and development.

It is during this time that they explore various things and discover their skills while at the same time forming habits that will enable them to succeed in high school and beyond.

Since their habits and mindset will determine their future, it is important to support them in finding themselves and growing because this may lead to success throughout their lifetime.

Here’s your early start action plan

💡 Stage 1 – Break It Down: Create a roadmap with achievable milestones. Research admissions requirements for target universities and plan accordingly (e.g., maintain a specific GPA, take advanced classes, participate in relevant extracurriculars).

💡 Stage 2 – Build Relationships: Encourage your child to connect with teachers, counselors, coaches — anyone who can offer guidance or support. Seek out mentors in their field of interest; attend college admissions events to learn about different schools.

💡 Stage 3 – Striking a Balance: While academics and extracurriculars are crucial, it's equally important to prioritize your child's overall well-being. Encourage them to pursue hobbies and interests outside of school, as these activities can provide a much-needed respite from the demands of their studies.

💡 Stage 4 – Give them “Me” time: Make sure your child sets aside dedicated time for relaxation and self-reflection. Practices like mindfulness, journaling, or engaging in creative outlets can help them manage stress, avoid burnout, and maintain a positive outlook as they navigate the college prep process.

Do Your Homework on College Financing

Start learning about scholarships, grants, and loans; understand there are many options available.

But, while the following concepts are specific to the United States, it is essential whether living in this country or any other nation for that matter, where higher education is sought after, one should still research college financing options as well as devise a budget plan accordingly.

At a Glance ✨

Question of the week

What's your biggest question about college prep as a parent of a middle school student?

We will decide our next issues based on your answers.✨

Ready to ignite your child's love for learning? ✨

Our interactive courses in Math, STEM/Computational Thinking, PSAT/SAT, CoGAT/SCAT, and beyond are designed to inspire and challenge young minds. 

Head to our website letsunbound.com to discover the perfect program for your budding scholar or reply to this email to talk to an academic advisor

The journey begins now!

Amol & Nishant,

The College Crest - Powered by Lets Unbound,

We have worked with thousands of students over the past 7 years. This newsletter captures the essence of our insights to simplify the college readiness journey.