Welcome to this week’s edition of College Admission Secrets, your go-to resource for navigating the college admissions journey with clarity and confidence.

In this issue:

• 🔎 College Admissions & Activities – Summer matters more than most families realize. What students choose to do when no one is making them can tell admissions officers a powerful story about initiative and purpose.

• 🏫 Insider College Spotlight – Why California State University Long Beach is a top pick for students seeking strong academics, beachside location, and supportive programs for first-gen and underrepresented students.

• 💰 Scholarship of the Week – Celebrate the West High School Art Competition.

• 🔥 Quick Admissions Tip – Summer is the season of initiative. Colleges notice when students use their break to dive deeper into interests or give back in meaningful ways.

• 🎯 Hidden Opportunity – UC Academic Game Plan for GPA and course strategy.

• 📅 Weekly Action Plan – Grade-by-grade steps to stay organized and ahead in college admissions.

• 📺 Must-Watch Training – How to make college visits count and turn them into opportunities for connection, clarity, and admissions advantages.

No matter where your student is in the process, we are here to help. Let’s dive in!

💭 COACH TONY’S THOUGHTS

Waitlisted? Here's What to Do (And What NOT to Do)

Let's cut to the chase. Being waitlisted feels like relationship purgatory. They didn't say no, but they didn't say yes either. And now you're wondering: "Should I send a love letter (aka LOCI) to show how much I care?"

Here's the unfiltered truth: Most colleges put thousands of qualified students on their waitlists. At top schools like MIT, they might admit fewer than 5% from that list. Some years, they take zero.

So before you start crafting that passionate letter, let's get one thing straight:

Only Write a LOCI If They Ask For It

This is non-negotiable. Colleges are explicit about this:

• If they say "don't send additional materials," then DON'T.

• If they say "we welcome updates," then yes, send a LOCI.

• If they're silent on the matter, check their waitlist FAQ page.

Ignoring their instructions won't make you look passionate; it'll make you look like someone who can't follow directions.

If They DO Want Updates, Here's How to Write an Effective LOCI:

1. Keep it concise. One page maximum. Admissions officers don't have time for your novel.

2. Lead with gratitude. Thank them for considering your application and offering you a spot on the waitlist.

3. Explicitly state your commitment. "If admitted, I will definitely attend [College Name]." Only say this if it's 100% true!

4. Share NEW information only. This means:

   • New awards or recognitions

   • Improved grades or test scores

   • New projects or leadership roles

   • Meaningful experiences that align with your intended major

5. Connect to their community. Mention specific programs, professors, or opportunities that you're excited about (and why).

6. Close professionally. Reiterate your interest, thank them again, and sign off.

What NOT to Include:

• Sob stories. Emotional manipulation rarely works.

• Name dropping. Unless the person actually knows and vouches for you.

• "Why not me?" complaints. Never question their judgment.

• Generic enthusiasm. "I love your school" without specifics is meaningless.

• Information already in your application. They already read it once.

Bottom Line:

The waitlist is a numbers game where the odds aren't in your favor. Send your LOCI if requested, then immediately pivot to celebrating and committing to a school that DID say "yes" to you.

Remember: Your success isn't determined by which college letterhead is on your diploma. It's what you do once you get there that counts.

Quick Tip: Set a deadline for yourself. If you haven't heard back by your deposit deadline elsewhere, move forward with your Plan B school, emotionally and financially. You deserve to be excited about your future, not stuck in waitlist limbo.

📅 WEEKLY ACTION PLAN

Week of April 1st

9th Grade

• Choose a summer activity. Pick one summer opportunity such as a camp, volunteer role, or internship to apply for this month.

• Start a study rhythm. Choose one subject that needs improvement and set up a routine to review it twice a week.

• Step up in one activity. Volunteer to lead a small task in a club or group to build confidence and leadership skills.

10th Grade

• Lock in your AP study calendar. Count the weeks until exams and schedule regular review sessions now.

• Take a quick career quiz. Use a free online tool to match your strengths with possible college majors.

• Pick three colleges to research. Visit their websites and take notes on what stands out to you.

11th Grade

• Build your college list. Add at least two target schools this week and write down what you like about them.

• Register for the June SAT or ACT. Spots fill quickly. Sign up early and begin light preparation.

• Ask one teacher for a recommendation. A simple email or in-person request is perfect to start early.

12th Grade

• Compare your financial aid letters. Highlight how much is grants or scholarships versus loans.

• Write a financial aid appeal if needed. If your family’s income has changed, this is the time to request additional support.

• Attend one admitted student event. Whether virtual or in-person, it can help you feel confident in your final decision.

❓ PARENT QUESTION OF THE WEEK

How Do We Help Our Teen Choose The Right Activities That Actually Matter on College Applications?

Understanding the right approach can make your college application stand out. Here's what to look for:

• Meaning Over Quantity – Colleges want commitment. Two or three meaningful activities done well are better than ten random ones.

• Leadership & Initiative – Titles aren't everything, but taking on responsibility or starting something new shows drive and maturity.

• Real-World Connections – Activities that relate to a student's future major or interests (like research, volunteering, or creative work) carry extra weight.

• Outside-the-Box Counts Too – Jobs, family responsibilities, or personal projects can be just as powerful if students explain what they learned and why it mattered.

Bottom Line: The strongest activity sections tell a story of who the student is becoming. Stick with what you care about, grow in it, and reflect on your impact.

📢 INSIDER COLLEGE SPOTLIGHT

Insider College Spotlight: California State University Long Beach (CSULB)

California State University Long Beach is one of the most popular and respected CSU campuses, known for its strong academic programs, beautiful coastal location, and commitment to access and affordability. CSULB combines serious academics with a laid-back SoCal vibe, making it a top choice for students across California.

Why Consider CSULB?

• Strong Academic Programs – Especially known for nursing, business, engineering, and the arts, CSULB offers over 90 undergraduate degrees with hands-on, career-focused learning.

• Location Advantage – Situated just minutes from the beach and major industries in LA and Orange County, CSULB provides a prime spot for internships and networking.

• Supportive Environment – CSULB is a Hispanic-Serving Institution with programs like EOP, the Beach Pathways initiative, and first-gen support to help students succeed.

• Campus Life – With Division I athletics, student-run radio, and over 300 clubs, students enjoy a vibrant and welcoming community.

Financial Aid Perk

💰CSULB offers the Beach Scholarships portal, which matches students with university and donor-funded awards based on major, financial need, and leadership potential.

💰 SCHOLARSHIP OF THE WEEK

Each week, we handpick a favorite scholarship that is currently accepting applications. Here is this week's scholarship:

Celebrate the West High School Art Competition

• Award Amount: Up to $600

• Deadline: April 11, 2025

• Eligibility: High school students attending public, private, charter, alternative, or home schools in Western Governors' Association member states and territories are eligible to apply. Participants must create an original two-dimensional artwork inspired by their state or evocative of the West. Acceptable mediums include painting, drawing, lithography, silkscreen, mixed media, computer graphics, and collage. Photography and video-based submissions are not accepted. Entries will be judged on originality, imagination, artistic quality, and expression of the Western theme.

🔥 QUICK ADMISSIONS TIP

Choosing The Right Summer Activity Matters…

Many families think summer is just a nice add-on.... something extra for college applications. But the truth is, summer choices can actually shape how admissions officers see your student.

Colleges are not just asking what your teen did with their school year. They want to know.... what did they do when no one was making them?

Summer is one of the few chances students have to take initiative. To explore interests. To lead, create, contribute, or grow without the structure of school telling them what to do.

Whether it’s taking a class that dives deeper into a future major, volunteering for a cause they care about, or starting something completely on their own, the best summer activities tell a story. They show curiosity. Drive. Purpose.

And those are the qualities colleges are looking for.

Want help choosing the right summer activities that align with your teen’s goals and make their application stand out?

We’re hosting a free training this Thursday that walks you through it all.

You’ll learn the biggest summer planning mistakes to avoid, how to spot high-impact opportunities, and how to make sure your teen’s summer actually matters to admissions.

🎯 HIDDEN OPPORTUNITY OF THE WEEK

From GPA to Guarantees – Your UC Academic Game Plan

Understanding how UC schools evaluate academics can give your student a real advantage. From GPA to course selection, here’s what truly matters:

• A–G Course Requirements – Students must complete a set of 15 required courses in subjects like English, Math, Science, History, and a Language Other Than English. More than the minimum is recommended to stay competitive.

• Honors & Rigor – AP, IB, and UC-approved honors courses receive extra GPA weight. Dual enrollment in college courses also counts toward honors credit and shows academic challenge.

• UC GPA Calculation – Only grades from the summer after 9th through the summer after 11th count. Pluses and minuses don’t matter, and there’s a cap on honors points (maximum of 8 total from 10th and 11th grade combined).

📺 MUST-WATCH TRAINING

College Visits 101

A college visit is more than just walking around campus.... it’s a strategy. When done right, it can help your student discover the right fit, demonstrate interest, and even open doors to scholarships. Here’s how to do it right:

• Go Beyond the Brochure – Websites and rankings can only show so much. Seeing the size, vibe, and energy of a campus in person helps your teen decide if they can truly grow and thrive there.

• Schedule Smart – Always register for official tours and info sessions early. Book meetings with academic departments, financial aid offices, or even student clubs in advance. These one-on-one connections matter.

• Demonstrate Interest – Some colleges track who visits, signs up for emails, and responds to outreach. Showing up can increase your student’s chances of admission or scholarship consideration.

• Ask the Right Questions – Don’t just listen.... engage. Ask about academic support, campus culture, and student life. Bonus: let your teen lead the conversations to build confidence and show maturity.

• Observe the Vibe – Are students friendly? Does the campus feel safe and welcoming? Can your teen imagine themselves here? Trust those gut feelings — they matter more than you think.

Bottom Line: A strategic college visit is more than sightseeing. It’s about discovering fit, making connections, and gathering the kind of insight no website can offer.

ONE QUICK FAVOR

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