AtomicMind 10th Graders: October Highlights
Sophomore year is well under way. As your student acclimates to life back at school, AtomicMind is here to support your student's path to academic success. This October, we're sharing insights from one of our incredible Head Advisors, Charis, who specializes in supporting students from grade 8 to grade 12. She's put together a list of her top tips for excelling in high school, building your student's resume, and crafting standout college applications.
Head Advisor Spotlight: Charis
Charis graduated from WashU in 2009 with a major in political science. She servesd as Associate Direct of Admissions, there, and including her time at WashU, she been in higher education for over 10 years.
Source of Inspiration: "My own college experience was truly transformative and I love helping students find a place that can provide the same for them."
What is your advice for high schoolers as they look ahead to college applications?
Create a narrative for yourself that centers around your intended major in college. Even if you're not completely sure, find an interest that you can explore in meaningful ways during high school, both through your academics and extracurriculars. When it comes time to apply to schools, you'll have a compelling story to tell in your essays about how you've pursued those interests so far, and can connect it to how you hope to do so in college.
Seek out opportunities beyond your high school. Students who stand out in the admissions process the most are those who've taken initiative to explore their interests outside high school doing things like research, service projects, or contests/competitions. Don't just apply for existing programs - make your own opportunities whenever possible!
Form meaningful relationships with your teachers and high school counselor. These are the people who will be writing your recommendation letters, which are a crucial part of your application! The best recommendations speak to a student's intellectual side but also their personal qualities and character.
Top Resume Builders in October:
Our Discover+ portals is full of meaningful extracurricular opportunities designed to provide your students with the AtomicMind Advantage. Here is a list of some activities we're excited about:
- New York Times 100-Word Personal Narrative Contest
- Journal of Research High School (JRHS)
- Climate Science Olympiad
- Harvard International Review Academic Writing Contest
Please contact AtomicMind to learn more about how we can support your 10th grader.