I was at the swim team banquet on Sunday night sitting with two friends. We all have rising 8th graders. But my 8th grader is my third child, while their 8th graders are their oldest children.
They weren't sure if they needed to start thinking about college stuff. I told them no. However, one of the most important discussions a family with an 8th grader should have right now is about what high school the student plans to attend. This decision can impact college admissions even though it seems far off in the future.
Sometimes there is no choice about where the student goes to high school. Where I grew up, the only high school was the public school. Even if there were other options, my parents didn't have the resources to send me elsewhere. For other communities and families, there are multiple options. Here is a step-by-step guide on what to do and what to consider:
1. If you are considering the local public high school (or local Catholic high school), find out if they still use class rank. And, if they do, is it a weighted or unweighted class rank that will be listed on the school transcript?
Some public high schools and a number of Catholic high schools still use a weighted class rank. This means that the moment your student picks their classes for 9th grade and starts getting grades, it will impact how competitive they are in their class. A student who gets straight As but doesn't take any rigorous courses will not have as strong of a weighted class rank as a student who takes advantage of honors and AP courses available to them, and does well.
RELATED READING: 5 Ways High Schools Can Improve College Admissions Results
Apart from SAT or ACT scores, a weighted class rank is the most influential data point for colleges. It captures not only grades but rigor—the two most important pieces of a student's transcript. A fast-reading admissions officer looks at that weighted class rank in an instant and can immediately tell if the student is competitive for that college. That is why so many high schools eliminated class rank decades ago.
Please note that if a high school provides only an unweighted class rank on the transcript, this is a sign that the high school has not kept up with trends and policies that help college-bound students. If the high school you are considering is your only option, begin to advocate that the school either eliminate class rank altogether (this is the preferred option) or replace the unweighted class rank with a weighted class rank to reflect what colleges want to see (good grades and a rigorous curriculum).
2. What is the student to counselor ratio at the high school? And what type of expertise does the counseling staff have?
The national student to counselor ratio is shocking—372 students to 1 counselor. A private school's ratio will be significantly lower. At a private school, it is more common that the counselor previously worked in a college admissions office (reading and evaluating applications). This can be highly beneficial to a student on multiple levels. The counselor at the private school may have insider knowledge on how certain colleges make admissions decisions. Sometimes they have longstanding connections to admissions officers at certain colleges, allowing the counselor to advocate personally for one or more of their students. And they often have more time to get to know the student, which can translate into more detailed letters of recommendation.
READ MORE: 5 Ways to Make Your Counselor Letter of Recommendation Even Better
Students who attend a public high school with fewer counselors and less college counseling support are not alone, though. Colleges are well aware of the disparity between public and private school college counseling. If a student doesn't know their counselor well, building strong relationships with teachers who could write detailed letters of recommendation for the student becomes even more important.
3. If you are considering a private school or even a boarding school, be aware of upcoming deadlines and requirements to apply.
Deadlines will vary. And, some schools are strict with those deadlines. There is often a long list of requirements too: interview, standardized tests (like the SSAT), letters of recommendation, an official transcript from the student's middle school, essays, an application, etc. It's like applying to college four years earlier. Not every 8th grader is ready for such a demanding application process at that age.
Note that some elite private and boarding schools are not only super competitive to be admitted to, but are extremely competitive once you get there. Know your child and whether applying to a private or boarding school is the best match.
4. Picking 9th grade courses often happens during 8th grade. Be ready!
Choose courses thoughtfully based on your child's strengths, past achievements, and goals. If they do well and are already taking advanced level courses in all subjects, they may be ready to take the most challenging courses starting in 9th grade. If a student is struggling in a certain subject matter, be cautious about them taking an advanced course in that subject matter right off the bat. If your child is behind in a subject matter, ask about alternative options. For example, a student who wants to reach Calculus by senior year of high school (an unspoken expectation for most elite colleges), may be able to take a math course over the summer in order to get back on track.
READ MORE: My Advice for 8th Grade Families Choosing Classes
5. As a goal, every 9th grader should have one full year (or one semester, if the school is on block scheduling) of the following courses: English, math, science, history or social studies, and a world/ancient language.
You should ensure your child follows this plan for all four years of high school, when possible. This is what colleges want to see!
READ MORE: One Thing Each Class Year Should Do for Test Prep This Summer
As I headed home from the swim banquet the other night, I couldn't help but think about my own 8th grader. I think I know her high school choice. We will want to discuss it in the coming weeks and months to be sure.
I always tell my high school students that where you go to college doesn't matter. It's what you take advantage of in college that matters most. The same is accurate for high school. Where you go to high school matters much less than what you do while you are there.
