Capturing the Young Years

Grades 8-10 (Years 9-11) might feel too early to start thinking about college majors, standardized testing, and university lists. Undoubtedly, it is important for students to enjoy these years and ‘just be kids’. However, as counselors who have helped thousands of students find their purpose and gain acceptances at top universities worldwide, we know these years matter. In fact, this period provides a unique opportunity to build a strong foundation for success not only in university admissions, but beyond.

At Ivy Options, we designed our Signature Launch program as a springboard for long-lasting and future-focused success. If your child is in middle school or the early years of high school, here is what they need to focus on to make the most of their pre-application years. 

Plan for the Opportunities Ahead

The first task is to explore or revisit the university landscape. Unless you have an older child who has recently gone through the process, you probably need to familiarize yourself with application requirements and preferences. For example, AI has become ever-present, and new majors have emerged across countries and universities. When it comes to standardized testing for admissions, universities also went from enthusiastically test-optional to test-required in just a few years. The only constant in admissions isn't pleasant: acceptance rates at top universities worldwide remain frustratingly low, making it hard for even top students to secure spots. 

The good news is that you don’t have to keep up with all those changes because we do it for you. All Ivy Options younger-year clients start with an onboarding session with their counselor, where we discuss the undergraduate admissions landscape, processes, and timelines worldwide to help clients work toward the best university admissions plan for their families.

Resume and Career Coaching

All Ivy Options clients work with our team of resume specialists to create a first draft of their resume. Drafting an early resume offers several benefits, including highlighting activities they can deepen in future years. Students then meet with our experienced career counselors for an in-depth discussion about their skills and interests. We use tools such as Ikigai and Life Design to do preliminary personality testing. A deep discussion built on trust and respect for the student’s personality and background is key to supporting them in finding their passion and focus. We listen to students’ responses to “why?” questions about their interests in different activities to help them uncover their deepest motivations. 

For Grade 10/Year 11 students, we offer the Strong Interest Inventory – a powerful tool that helps us dig much deeper into students’ interests and personalities. By starting such career discussions and assessments early, students reap crucial benefits: 

• They learn different approaches to career search and life design.

• They become more attuned to their interests, passions, and motivations, making further career exploration more intentional and mindful.

• They take better ownership of their decisions about university majors and programs of study.

As a result, they enter the admissions process in their junior and senior years with a fuller resume that showcases their mindful, meaning-driven exploratory journey and a story of discovery, motivation, reflection, and achievement. 

Summer Planning and Academic Advising

Summers after each high school year are a time for structured exploration. Empowered by their career counseling sessions and with a drafted resume in hand, your student is ready to plan summers that support exploration and further skill and interest development. 

We suggest treating summer planning as a buffet with a variety of options. The idea is not to tick every box – otherwise students risk burnout. Instead, we want them to make mindful choices about which activities to add. These could include reading, community service projects, online courses, summer programs, internships, research projects, and more. We offer guidance on intentionally charting a path toward self-discovery and success in university admissions. 

Yet, it’s not all about extracurriculars and resumes. Academic choices become increasingly important as students move through high school, and the subjects they choose can affect their results. For example, all students may need to achieve a certain level of math for economics, computer science, or engineering programs. Canadian applicants need to take chemistry in the last two years of high school to apply to most engineering programs. Our counselors create a clear road map for students that ensures focus, but keeps options open. 

Skill Building

The above priorities form the core of the Ivy Options Younger Years program, but we also offer the flexibility to add more! No two students enter high school with the same interests, strengths, experiences, or areas for growth. That’s why our program includes options that students can choose based on their individual needs and goals. Depending on the student, this might mean developing stronger study and organizational habits, improving digital well-being, exploring a specific academic or career interest through an in-depth project, preparing for standardized testing, or building other skills such as public speaking that will support them throughout high school and beyond.

A Program for Life-Long Success

The early years of high school should never be about rushing into the university admissions process. Instead, they’re about using the time available before the pressures of standardized testing, final exams, and university admissions essays take over. Used wisely, this time will help students enter the application cycle with a powerful story of self-exploration, leadership, and community engagement, along with life skills and habits that will help them succeed for the rest of their lives. To launch your student into Ivy Options’ exciting Signature Launch program for interest and career exploration, contact info@ivyoptions.com today.