What To Do NOW as a Middle School Student

Parents often ask us what their children can do in middle school to begin preparing for the college admissions process. You might be wondering, “Is it too early to think about college?” After all, college admissions officers generally only look at students’ high school records. In reality, however, the choices students make in middle school can set them up for success in high school and have a significant impact on their ultimate college prospects. While it may be too early to pinpoint specific colleges, there are a few things middle school students (and their parents) can do now to prepare for the future.

MIDDLE SCHOOL STUDENTS: TOP TIPS TO PREPARE FOR YOUR FUTURE

Identify the high school that is the best fit for you.

There are many types of high schools that rising ninth graders might consider, ranging from local public schools to distant boarding schools. When deciding between them, we encourage families to consider not just the school’s reputation, matriculation record, and its status as public or private, but also whether the school offers an environment in which their student is likely to thrive. Which courses and programs are available through the school? What is the average class size and student-teacher ratio? Does the school offer additional resources or opportunities that might be helpful?

Based on these considerations, some students will end up applying to private schools. For these applications, students often need to take standardized tests (such as the SSAT or ISEE) and write application essays that they will submit in the fall or winter of eighth grade. For current seventh graders, it’s a good idea to begin thinking about this process now! See our recent blog post on secondary school admissions for guidance on how to begin your exploration process.

Prepare for rigorous coursework.

Admissions officers at top schools are looking for students who earn strong grades in challenging courses. While middle school classes are not considered in the college admissions process, students who work hard academically in seventh and eighth grade will be well prepared for their ninth-grade coursework. A strong performance in middle school can also help students place into honors classes in high school, or even skip a grade level in subjects like math, science, and foreign language. This ensures their records will have the rigor college admissions officers hope to see.

Develop strong time management skills.

Many high students struggle with time management, especially as school work becomes more difficult and extracurricular activities begin to fill up their schedule. To help prevent this issue, we encourage students to spend time in middle school developing strong organizational skills, such as using a planner and keeping careful track of their homework. For students who need support in this area, our Organization and Time Management Tutoring program helps students develop good habits that will serve them well during the rest of their academic career.

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Consider taking the SAT or ACT.

While students won’t submit SAT and ACT scores earned in sixth grade to colleges, taking one of these tests in middle school can help students determine their relative strengths as a test-taker. Students may also be able to use these test scores to qualify for enrichment programs like Johns Hopkins Center for Talented Youth and Northwestern Center for Talent Development. It’s also worth noting that middle school test scores will not appear on students’ permanent records, so there is no chance of a low SAT score sinking their future college prospects.

Explore academic and extracurricular interests.

As we’ve noted before, extracurricular activities are a key part of the college admissions process, especially those that align with a student’s academic passions or make a significant impact on their community. Before students can dive into these activities, though, they need to figure out what their intellectual and civic interests are. For this reason, we encourage middle school students to spend time exploring subjects that might interest them. They might try reading a book about a new field or taking a free online course on a subject that appeals to them. How about using the upcoming summer for an enrichment program or a history-focused family vacation? Students should consider, too, whether there are issues at the local or national level that are important to them. Could they get involved in trying to help address these concerns? Identifying subjects that interest them now will allow students to hit the ground running in high school and ensure they are doing meaningful work that aligns with their goals.

Need assistance with this process? Our counselors are here to help middle school students navigate the transition to high school and make strategic choices.

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Dr. Eliza Fox

Senior Private Counselor at Top Tier Admissions

Eliza has years of experience at Top Tier Admissions, helping students gain admittance to top-flight colleges and pioneering the Writing Center. She holds a B.A. in English with Honors and Distinction from Stanford University, where she was a two-time recipient of Stanford’s Rebele Journalism Fellowship. She earned her MA and PhD in English Literature at the University of Virginia. Prior to working at Top Tier, Eliza taught in UVa’s English Department and its Academic and Professional Writing Program. The effectiveness of her teaching and her commitment to her students earned her multiple awards, including the All-University Graduate Teaching Award and honors from UVa’s Seven Society. Eliza’s own writing has appeared in publications ranging from academic journals to The Philadelphia Inquirer. She also has experience in publishing, digital humanities, and study abroad programming.