<p>“For the few students who are interested in an out-of-state or selective college, our guidance counselors do an inadequate job of explaining what is required. As a result, most of these few get rejected, and are surprised and disappointed when it happens. The rare student who makes it into a selective college usually has parents who have done a lot of research on their own from middle school onward.”</p>
<p>For guidance counselors to start addressing the requirements for selective colleges in the junior year of high school is too late. students and parents need to know what to do to build the foundation for a competitive application in middle-school. You have to have high enough grades in the right classes and tests to get into honors and ap classes (if they are offered) in the 9th grade - otherwise you take a hit in class rank and strength of schedule.</p>