AtomicMind 11th Graders: October Highlights

As your student acclimates to their 11th grade year, we've compiled a list of advice, activities, and reminders to support your student's academic success. This October, we're sharing insights from one of our incredible Head Advisors, Charis, who specializes in supporting students in grades 8 through 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.

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Head Advisor Spotlight: Charis

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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."
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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.

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11th Grade October Checklist:

• Identify (and Pursue) Areas of Interest: Some juniors may already have a college major picked out and ready. If that's your student, it is important that they continue to pursue opportunities, clubs, research, community service, and competitions related to that identified interest. If your student is still deciding what they'd like to pursue in college and beyond, they may want to begin taking an inventory: classes they've loved, opportunities they've pursued, interests they have. As they investigate majors on university websites or career opportunities online, students can begin to piece together their own "narrative" for college applications and continue to pursue other activities that center this narrative. For guidance on this process, and cultivating a strong college application, please connect with AtomicMind.
• Connect with Teachers: Your junior year is crucial; most college recommendations come from junior year teachers. Relationships can be built with even simple steps: stay after class to ask question, pop in during office hours, or send an email to connect or ask questions. Cultivating meaningful relationships with teachers can help further your class performance.
• Create Opportunities: AtomicMind has a trove of incredible opportunities and competitions in our Discover+ portal. But, as Charis so aptly noted, students can also carve out their on paths and create opportunities for themselves. Is there a club they'd like to start? Is there an area of support missing from their local community? To support your student's ideation and implementation, please feel free to connect with our AtomicMind Head Advisors, who can help bring your student's ideas to fruition.
• Prepare for SAT and ACT Exams: There are two more opportunities to sit for the.  SAT and ACT in 2024. If your student needs additional suport studying, please reach out to AtomicMind to get set up with a specialized tutor.

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2024 Exam Dates:

SAT Exams

• November 2, 2024
• December 7, 2024

ACT Exams

• October 26, 2024
• December 14, 2024

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Top Resume Builders in October:

Our Discover+ portal 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: 

1. New York Times 100-Word Personal Narrative Contest
2. Journal of Research High School (JRHS)
3. Climate Science Olympiad
4. Harvard International Review Academic Writing Contest

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Please contact AtomicMind to learn more about how we can support your 10th grader.