Start Freshman Year with a Strategic Plan

(Not Crossed Fingers)

Build the foundation for a competitive college application from day one with month-by-month guidance for all of 9th grade.

This Guide is For You If You're Looking To:

Start freshman year with a strategic plan instead of winging it
Build the foundation for a competitive college application from day one
Help your student find their passion project or thing that makes them stand out
Understand what activities actually matter to colleges (and which are wastes of time)
Get ahead on course selection and academic planning
Make the most of summer before and after 9th grade
Feel confident your student is on the right track from the beginning

What's Inside:

📅 Month-by-Month Action Plans

August through May: Exactly what to do each month
No guessing, no overwhelm - just clear next steps
Includes summer before and after 9th grade

🎯 Passion Project Planning

How to help your student find their thing
Real examples from my kids (nonprofit, research, athletics)
Step-by-step project development guide
Budget-friendly options for every family

📚 Course Selection Strategy

Which classes matter for competitive colleges
Honors vs AP - when to start
How to challenge yourself without burning out
Subject selection based on intended major
🏃 Activity Selection Guide
What activities actually impress colleges
Quality over quantity approach
How to go deep, not wide
Real vs. resume-padding activities

🌟 Building Your Story

Start crafting your college application narrative now
How to connect activities to future goals
Documenting achievements as you go
Creating your student's unique brand

🏖️ Summer Planning

Before 9th: Getting ready for high school
After 9th: Productive summer ideas on any budget
Programs, camps, jobs, volunteering, projects
How to avoid the wasted summer

✅ Real Stories & Examples

How my oldest started his nonprofit freshman year
How my middle son discovered his passion for business* How my daughter began her environmental leadership journey

Yes, you can do it.

By the end of 9th grade, your student will have:

✅ Strong academic foundation with right course rigor
✅ 2-3 meaningful activities (not 10 meaningless ones)
✅ Started building their spike or unique angle
✅ Productive summer experiences
✅ Clear plan for 10th grade
✅ Documented achievements ready for future applications

Why Start in 9th Grade?

Because you need >3 years to make it happen!

The truth? Most families start thinking about college prep in 11th grade. By then, they've missed opportunities, taken the wrong classes, and wasted time on meaningless activities.
Starting in 9th grade gives you:
✅ Time to explore and find real passions (not forced resume-building)
✅ Ability to build meaningful 4-year activity records
✅ Stronger transcripts with proper course planning
✅ Less stress in 11th-12th grade (you're ahead!)
✅ Better scholarship opportunities (demonstrated long-term commitment) This is the foundation year. Get it right and the next 3 years are easier.

Q: What if my student is already halfway through 9th grade?

A: Start where you are! The month-by-month plans help you see what's left and catch up quickly.

Q: My 9th grader has no idea what they want to do. Is this still helpful?

A: Absolutely! This guide HELPS them figure it out through exploration and experimentation.

Q: We can't afford expensive summer programs. Will this still work? A: Yes! I include budget-friendly and FREE options for everything - activities, summers, test prep, etc.

Don't Wait Until It's Too Late

Most parents realize in 11th grade: We should have started earlier. You're here NOW. That means you're already ahead.

Start 9th grade with a plan.

I'm Ready to Start 9th Grade College Prep!

Download Now