6 Questions Every Family Should Ask Before Starting the College Admissions Process
As founder of a global educational consultancy, I’ve been guiding families through the highly competitive admissions landscape for nearly two decades. One of the most important lessons I’ve learned: despite the common myth that starting early adds pressure, proactive planning is the best way to improve both student outcomes and family peace of mind, for two reasons:
Decisions build. From course selection and summer planning to SAT/ACT timing and campus visits, each choice sets up the next and shapes the student’s narrative. A plan that begins in 9th grade is ideal, though it’s never too late to benefit from expert guidance.
Early Decision matters. With more students applying Early Decision—and gaining a real edge at many selective colleges—starting sooner gives your child time to identify the best fit schools for them and hone in on their top priorities.
Here are six questions to ask yourself as you get started:
1. What’s the best approach to the college process that will help my child stand out?
An intentional, thoughtful approach helps cultivate your child’s genuine and unique interests. We have helped thousands of students discover what lights them up and sparks further inquiry. Starting early creates the space to explore those interests more fully and deepen them over time.
For example, one of our students who ultimately landed at Stanford happened to try Latin on a whim in 8th grade, discovered a love for the classics, learned ancient Greek, and on the suggestion of her LogicPrep advisor, joined an archaeological dig in Morocco. That arc—from curiosity to deeper directed study to real-world fieldwork—wasn’t about résumé padding; it showcased genuine, evolving interest and growth.
2. My child is well-rounded. Is that a good thing or a problem?
There’s a persistent (and false) perception that well-rounded students “slide off the review table” and aren’t taken seriously. Parents of well-rounded kids understandably worry their child will be overlooked. The reality: colleges respond to clarity and coherence, not narrowness for its own sake.
It’s not about having one interest only; it’s about cultivating what actually excites your student and shaping those interests into a cohesive story. Multiple passions are great; what matters is how they connect, how the student took advantage of the opportunities they created, and how their experience adds to the college community they want to join. At LogicPrep, we lean into each student’s strengths and unique story. There’s no such thing as the perfect applicant, only the most authentic, deeply committed version of your child. Early high school is for broad exploration. Later years are for focusing in, deepening engagement, and demonstrating impact.
3: How should we approach academic rigor?
A common question is whether it’s better to earn an A in a regular class or a B in an honors class. The truth: it’s important for students to stretch themselves academically in areas where they can maintain strong performance. If pushing too hard in one area drags down performance elsewhere, however, it’s time to reassess. The goal is a transcript that shows both rigor and achievement.
You don’t need to load up on APs in every subject area. Lean into your strengths. LogicPrep’s advisors help students tell their story through the courses they select as well as their personal statement and extracurricular activities.
And remember: an “A” isn’t the same everywhere; admissions officers have access to your school profile that puts your grades into context and highlights what an “A” or “B” means at your particular school.
4. What’s the right standardized testing path?
LogicPrep students are encouraged to take a diagnostic SAT and ACT test at the end of sophomore year. We take a data-driven approach to advising students on which test will produce a better outcome (students are not required to take both and colleges don’t have a preference for one over the other).
Additionally, in a test-optional environment, our college advisors collaborate with our test prep team to determine the most strategic approach when it comes time to decide whether to submit scores. LogicPrep offers test prep and college advising support all under one roof so we can help our students maximize their academic and extracurricular profile, while being mindful of their busy schedules.
5. How can we create a balanced college list?
College isn’t just a place to study. It’s where your child will live, build their network, and launch their career. Consider factors like campus culture, special academic programs, and internship and post-graduate opportunities alongside the strength of the curriculum or place on any rankings list.
For most students, a dozen colleges is the sweet spot for both strategy and sanity. Keep in mind the variability in acceptance rates and consider application timelines, particularly Early Decision, where acceptance rates can be significantly higher. For example, students applying Early Decision to Dartmouth College are over 4 times more likely to be accepted, and those applying early to Duke University are 3.5 times more likely.
6. Do we need outside support — and if so, what kind?
Every day we read about disruptive changes in higher education that impact the college admissions landscape. It would be nearly impossible for busy parents to keep up with it all. At LogicPrep, our team of over 50 college and testing experts—including advisors who are former admissions officers from top colleges such as Harvard, Duke, MIT and UPenn—stay informed and understand the impact of new updates to standardized tests, the latest essay prompts, or which schools are rolling out new institutional priorities. We keep your child focused on meeting milestones while they make the most of their high school experience.
Final Thoughts
With a holistic approach that fosters self-discovery and intellectual growth, the journey to college can be both rigorous and joyful. Be a cheerleader and let your child have agency in the process. The sooner they begin exploring, shaping, and refining their path, the more confident they’ll feel when it’s time to press “submit.”
This article was originally published on Greenwich Moms and can be viewed here.