Our Process
Part of reducing stress is knowing what to expect. Wherever you are on the timeline, Creative College Composition is here to support you.
Student Timeline
Summer between 8th & 9th Grade:
This is when beginning to determine strengths and "likes" matters. Parents frequently call us with questions on how to help students make curriculum decisions. This should be the role of school counselors, advisors and trusted administration, and many schools do this fantastically. If you feel you are not getting enough support from the school, we can help.
9th Grade:
Your students are babies in high school. Encourage them to explore and to try their hand at new things without fear, but do not push. Colleges now seek unique individuals to create a composite class rather than choosing a student who does it all. Meg can begin to help at this time after freshman year with assessment and interpretation of the same.
10th Grade:
Please, let your sophomores be sophomores. They are just beginning to assess what they like. Now, they are perhaps shifting friendship groups and discovering which classes they love and which they, maybe DON’T enjoy as much. This is what you want them to be doing! This year, your students are finding necessary self-confidence. They are FULLY aware of what is coming next year - have no fear.
In the summer of the year, again, think about working with Meg or revisit with her to keep her apprised on what has changed, where your rising junior is shining, and how interests are evolving.
NOW, plan some relaxed college visits with the goal to examine geographic areas that appeal and a size of school that comfortable and yet, challenging.
Pick three schools near home even that are representative of the size schools: small, medium, and large.
Questions at this stage are still easy going:
Do you like the town or city?
Do you like this size or does this overwhelm or underwhelm you?
Do you prefer an urban atmosphere or a centralized campus?
Do you see yourself in other students?
Is this similar or different than your high school experience and is that good or bad?
11th - 12th Grade:
Okay, the rubber begins to hit the road here. College guidance officers begin to send texts and everyone feels the stress. Focus and stay calm to do your best as the metrics of this year matter, but EVERYONE knows this. There is NO need to repeat it. Affirm your student, they know how to do the work. Prepare for standardized testing, keep the eye on the ball in school, get the right amount of rest and be the best YOU you can be.
Parents and students, plan to meet with Sarah after second semester to hear tasks to be accomplished before the year is out. Again, reach out to Meg and make sure any assessments that will help ascertain interests and programs that fit your student’s profile are in everyone’s mind.
Remember, there are many ways to climb a tree to successful career paths and to foster confidence in your student by helping them determine what they need to achieve success on all levels - passion and interest ultimately drive happiness and success.
Begin playing in your school’s program to see how your metrics fit in with various schools. Thumb through college books like the Fiske Guide and Princeton review. Visit schools further away as time allows that you didn’t after sophomore year.
Plan on starting the college application process during the summer before Senior year. The goals CCC set are to complete a professional resume, refine and plan your list, compose a compelling Big Essay, and finish as much busywork as possible before school starts. This reduces the pressure of the fall and allows students to stay engaged without being overwhelmed.
Again, we suggest a follow-up or visit with Meg to refine major selections for different colleges or to open up new options of schools that may be the proper choice.
Creative College Composition works to meet each student where THEY are uniquely and help position them to own their process, and to find confidence as they move on their next journey. We would like all SENIORS to be finished with the application process by December 1 of Senior year, if not before. Sarah remains available as students choose and Meg Graves remains a valuable asset for this and even after students leave. Majors and interest do and should fluctuate as students mature.
Ready to get started?
Recommended Resources
The Centered Student Planner - Recommended by Sarah
I think this is a marvelous tool - even if the thought is that this is stepping backwards initially - to move forwards. I suggest it to be placed in use in the home in a FAMILY friendly spot so Moms can put in appointments they schedule and kids can put their workload in on Sundays to allow all to know where the other person is as they move forward. This allows students to put longer term projects on the calendar - such as appointments with Meg and deadlines for essays and college applications.
NOTE: This is an affiliate link, but I wouldn’t suggest it if it weren’t working for more than just me! My student parents agree that this planning skill is usually lacking, so this tool is a real game changer for families.
Grown & Flown - Recommended by Sarah
I suggest all to follow Grown& Flown from middle school onward. Great podcast and parenting tips along the way. #grownandflown