Should You Be Thinking About Preparing for an Ivy League School Early (Junior High/Ninth Grade)?

Written by Amanda, University of Pennsylvania

As a kid, it’s rather inevitable to NOT say the sentence, “My dream is to go to Harvard.” Even though the dream can always be in reach, it’s important to think about everything that goes into this dream. As time goes on, the preparation stage becomes more complex than you can think. Preparing for college, especially an Ivy League school, can seem daunting. Is it necessary to start thinking about this process as early as junior high or ninth grade? The short answer is: it can be beneficial, but it’s also important to maintain a balanced perspective. Here’s a guide to help you understand the advantages and considerations of early preparation.

Advantages of Early Preparation

Building a Strong Academic Foundation
Early preparation allows students to choose challenging courses that set the stage for advanced classes in high school. With that, do NOT reach for a class that you know you cannot sustainably hold - always think about the courseload and the academic rigor first, as you can always choose to take on that class another semester. Along that, developing good study habits and time management skills early can lead to academic success. However you prefer to learn, build on that habit. You future university classes will thank you later.

Exploring Interests and Developing Passions

Middle school and early high school are great times to explore different clubs, sports, and hobbies. Finding and developing passions can make a college application stand out. Give yourself time to find your passions, as you don’t want to fall into your senior year of high school spreading yourself too thin. As you progress through high school, think about ways can take on leadership roles in your chosen activities, demonstrating commitment and leadership skills. Finding ways to showcase your leadership not only ensures trust in your fellow classmates, but it shows admission officers that you are capable of taking initiative and making positive results in your high school activities.

Reading and Writing Skills

A strong emphasis on reading and writing can improve critical thinking and communication skills, essential for college applications and essays. With that, regular writing practice can make future college essays more polished and impactful. Create ways to gain skills - whether it be a writing team, choosing the essay question over the multiple choice questions on a test, or simply just writing for fun in ways that are completely unrelated to school.

Standardized Test Preparation

Familiarity with the format and types of questions on standardized tests like the SAT or ACT can reduce anxiety and improve performance. Early exposure to these tests will not only help your score improve, but it will also help you get an early feel for what tests in college may look like. Taking preliminary tests like the PSAT can also provide valuable practice and feedback.

However, You NEED to Balance Preparation and Enjoyment

While early preparation has its advantages, it’s important not to overwhelm yourself in the Ivy League fixations. Here are some tips for maintaining balance:

Create a Love of Learning

Focus on fostering curiosity and a love of learning rather than solely on grades and achievements. Support interests that bring joy and fulfillment, whether or not they directly relate to college preparation. Because your love for learning can go beyond your academics, this opens gates to activities and hobbies that can make you a strong applicant in the admissions process.

Promote Healthy Habits

Create a balanced lifestyle that includes time for relaxation, socializing, and extracurricular activities. Stress management techniques and taking care of your mental health will go a long way, especially if you practice early on. Remember, you don’t want to burn yourself out during high school, just to not perform well when it comes to college application season.

Set Realistic Expectations

Discuss goals and aspirations openly, but avoid putting undue pressure on yourself to achieve perfection. Remember that there are many excellent colleges and universities beyond the Ivy League. This can be easier when you fall into your activities and passions, because you might find a school that’s not an Ivy League that has the major you’ve been looking for.

Conclusion

Preparing for an Ivy League college application can start as early as junior high or ninth grade, but it should be approached with balance and perspective. Focus on building a strong academic foundation, exploring interests, and developing essential skills while maintaining a healthy, enjoyable lifestyle. Early preparation can be beneficial, but the journey to college should be enriching and fulfilling, not just a means to an end.