Parents of 11th graders: here’s what actually matters right now in college admissions
I’m a college admissions consultant (and a mom of two), and this is the part most families don’t realize:
Students with similar grades, test scores, and activities often get very different results.
It’s not random—and it’s not just “luck.”
Right now (spring of junior year), what matters most isn’t doing more—it’s making sure what your student is already doing actually works in an application.
Here’s where I see families get it wrong:
• Activities that look “impressive” but don’t tell a clear story
• Waiting too long to think about the personal statement
• Focusing on the wrong parts of testing strategy
• Not knowing what colleges are actually looking for vs. what the internet says
I’m running a 90-minute live session for parents where I break this down step-by-step—what actually matters, and what to prioritize before senior year.
If you want clarity (and a plan), you can join here: