Sophomore Application Form

Student's Full Name

📌 Best Practice: Enter your full legal name as it appears on school records.

Write your full legal name exactly as it appears on your school records. This helps ensure accuracy when colleges or programs match your records later on.

High School Graduation Year

✅ Best Practice:

Select the year you will graduate high school.

High School Name & Location

📌 Best Practice: Enter the full name of your school, including "High School" or any program title, plus the city and state.

💬 Insider Tips:

• Copy it from your report card or transcript to make sure spelling and details are consistent.
• 🌍 If you attend an international or online school, include your country or program platform.

High School Name & Location

📌 Best Practice: Enter the full name of your school, including "High School" or any program title, plus the city and state.

💬 Insider Tips:

• Copy it from your report card or transcript to make sure spelling and details are consistent.
• 🌍 If you attend an international or online school, include your country or program platform.

Student Email

📌 Best Practice: Use a personal email you check often (not your parent's).

💬 Insider Tips:

• Use a personal email you can access long-term (not a school one that might expire).
• If you share devices or email with family, ask a counselor to help you create a private account for school and college communication.

Parent/Guardian Name(s) and Email(s)

📌 Best Practice: List all parent/guardian contacts clearly with one email per person.

💬 Insider Tip:

• Include both parents if they share college updates.
• If you live with one guardian, note that here.

Current GPA (weighted or unweighted)

📌 Best Practice: Enter the exact number (e.g., 3.6 weighted).

💬 Insider Tip:

• If unsure, ask your counselor or check your transcript.
• Weighted = includes Honors/AP bonus points.

What subjects or classes do you enjoy the most? Why?

📌 Best Practice: Explain *why* certain classes interest you—teacher, topic, or skills.

💬 Insider Tip:

• These insights help counselors connect you to majors.
• Use examples ("I like History because I love debate").

What academic areas feel most challenging to you?

📌 Best Practice: Identify classes where you struggle with pace, content, or focus.

💬 Insider Tip:

• Be specific—"geometry proofs," not "math."
• Mention what you've tried (tutoring, study groups).

List any Honors, AP, IB, or advanced courses you've completed or are taking.

📌 Best Practice: Include all advanced coursework with grade level or term.

💬 Insider Tip:

• Colleges value rigor and progression over quantity.
• Even one challenging course shows initiative.

How would you describe your academic work habits?

📌 Best Practice: Be honest—steady, procrastinator, organized, visual learner, etc.

💬 Insider Tip:

• Self-awareness helps counselors improve your strategy.
• Mention any habit you want to build next.

Have you taken any of the following (PSAT, SAT, Pre-ACT, ACT, AP/IB)?

📌 Best Practice: Check all that apply—even practice tests.

💬 Insider Tip:

• Early testing = practice, not pressure.
• Helps track National Merit and prep timelines.

Share scores and test dates, if known.

📌 Best Practice: Include month/year or approximate dates.

💬 Insider Tip:

• Don't stress exact numbers—ranges are fine.
• Counselors use this to time SAT/ACT decisions.

Are you planning to start preparing for the SAT or ACT?

📌 Best Practice: Select what fits—starting soon, already prepping, or not yet.

💬 Insider Tip:

• Prep in summer before junior year gives the best results.
• If cost is a barrier, ask about free prep resources.

Would you like support creating a test prep plan?

📌 Best Practice: Say "Yes" if you want help scheduling tests or finding resources.

💬 Insider Tip:

• We can help align prep with your college timeline.
• Support is free and tailored to your goals.

List school-based extracurriculars, teams, or clubs you're currently in.

📌 Best Practice: List each activity + your role or years involved.

💬 Insider Tip:

• Depth matters more than number of clubs.
• Include academic teams or arts programs too.

Are you in any leadership positions? If so, describe them.

📌 Best Practice: Include titles (e.g., Treasurer, Captain) and what you do.

💬 Insider Tip:

• Leadership can also mean mentoring or organizing events.
• If you're just starting, share roles you're aiming for next year.

Describe any hobbies, jobs, family responsibilities, or volunteering outside school.

📌 Best Practice: Include weekly time commitments if possible.

💬 Insider Tip:

• Jobs and caregiving count as major commitments.
• Colleges value responsibility in any form.

Which activity has been most meaningful to you so far and why?

📌 Best Practice: Explain what you've learned or how it shaped you.

💬 Insider Tip:

• Reflect on growth, not just achievement.
• This often informs your future essay topics.

Have you begun researching colleges or majors?

📌 Best Practice: Choose "Yes" if you've looked at websites or lists online.

💬 Insider Tip:

• "Exploring" counts—even YouTube campus videos!
• If you say "No," we'll share easy first steps.

What kind of college environment interests you (location, size, atmosphere)?

📌 Best Practice: Think about class sizes, campus vibe, and region.

💬 Insider Tip:

• Example: "Medium, urban, active campus."
• Your preferences may change—this just starts the conversation.

Are there any career paths or fields that interest you right now?

📌 Best Practice: List a few broad areas (e.g., health, law, tech, arts).

💬 Insider Tip:

• Interest ≠ commitment—curiosity is the goal.
• Counselors use this to suggest summer programs or electives.

What motivates you to succeed in school?

📌 Best Practice: Share what drives you—goals, family, curiosity, future plans.

💬 Insider Tip:

• Honest answers help us understand your values.
• If motivation is hard right now, say what you'd like to change.

Have you faced any personal or academic challenges that affected performance?

📌 Best Practice: Select "Yes" if you've had any setback worth noting.

💬 Insider Tip:

• Challenges include illness, family changes, learning issues, or stress.
• This context helps your counselor support you better.

If yes, please describe (optional).

📌 Best Practice: Summarize the situation and what you learned.

💬 Insider Tip:

• Keep it short and focused on growth.
• Share only what you feel comfortable writing.

What values are most important to you when making decisions or choosing activities?

📌 Best Practice: Think about principles like honesty, kindness, teamwork, learning.

💬 Insider Tip:

• Your values guide college and career choices later.
• If you're unsure, pick three words that describe your priorities now.