College Tips, Hidden Gems, and What Class of 2026 Should Do Now

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:

• 🏫 Insider College Spotlight – Why UC Riverside is one of the most underrated UCs. With rising national recognition, strong programs in STEM and the arts, and a top ranking in social mobility, it’s a serious contender for families looking for value and opportunity.

• 💰 Scholarship of the Week – The Gloria Barron Prize for Young Heroes honors students creating meaningful community impact.

• 🔥 Quick Admissions Tip – Leadership is not just a title. Admissions officers want to see action, impact, and initiative, whether or not there’s an official role attached..

• 🎯 Hidden Opportunity – 100 Personal Project Ideas that help students stand out!

• 📅 Weekly Action Plan – What students in grades 9 through 12 should be doing this week to stay on track. Includes academic planning, summer prep, and relationship-building steps.

• 📺 Must-Watch Training – Class of 2026: You need to be preparing now. Learn the five biggest moves to make this spring to stay competitive and lower college admissions stress later.

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

📅 WEEKLY ACTION PLAN

Week of April 8th

9th Grade

• Create a “Highlight Reel” folder. Start saving photos, certificates, or videos of your achievements. You'll thank yourself later when it's time to build your application or résumé.

• Shadow an older student or sibling. Ask what clubs or classes they found valuable. Learn from someone just a step ahead.

• Set a GPA goal for the rest of the semester. Pick a number, write it down, and choose one small habit this week to help you get there (like asking a question in class or reviewing notes 10 mins a night).

10th Grade

• Meet with your school counselor. Ask about next year’s classes, honors/AP options, and summer opportunities. Planning now gives you an edge.

• Start a “Colleges to Watch” list. Create a spreadsheet or Notes file and add 5 schools that interest you. Include things like: location, size, and one unique program.

• Record a 1-minute “Why I’m Interested in X” video. Pick a subject you enjoy and talk about why. This helps build your storytelling muscle for future interviews or essays.

11th Grade

• Finalize your SAT/ACT study schedule. If you're testing in June, now is the time to go from casual review to a focused weekly plan.

• Start thinking about your personal statement. Jot down 3 experiences or moments that shaped who you are. No need to write yet—just brainstorm and reflect.

• Ask about summer research, internships, or pre-college programs. Reach out to teachers, counselors, or local orgs. Opportunities often go to the students who ask first.

12th Grade

• Review housing options and deadlines. Start narrowing down dorm preferences, roommate forms, and deposits. Some deadlines are earlier than you think.

• Prep questions for admitted student events. Examples: What’s the vibe on campus? Are professors accessible? What are the career resources like?

  Send thank-you notes

• Write short thank-you messages to recommenders, mentors, or anyone who helped you on your journey. It shows gratitude—and keeps relationships strong.

❓ PARENT QUESTION OF THE WEEK

Should We Be Worried If Our Teen Didn’t Get Into Their Top-Choice College?

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

• College Fit Is Bigger Than a Name - A "top choice" school might not always be the best place for your teen to thrive. What matters more is where they’ll feel supported, challenged, and excited to grow.

• Many Paths Lead to Success - The most successful students aren’t defined by the name on their sweatshirt. They’re the ones who take full advantage of wherever they go—joining communities, seeking mentorship, and staying curious.

• Waitlists and Appeals Are Still in Play - The process isn’t always over in April. Some schools offer waitlist movement or allow for financial aid appeals. It's okay to explore those options while celebrating the wins you do have.

• You Can Fall in Love With a "Plan B" - Sometimes the best experiences come from the unexpected. Encourage your teen to visit, connect with current students, and picture themselves on campus—you might be surprised how quickly it clicks.

Bottom Line: One decision doesn’t define their future. What they do next, how they show up, grow, and make the most of the opportunity ahead is what really matters.

📢 INSIDER COLLEGE SPOTLIGHT

Insider College Spotlight: UC Riverside (Riverside, CA)

UC Riverside is one of the most underrated gems in the University of California system. It's a campus that’s gaining serious momentum! With strong academics, growing national recognition, and a real commitment to student success.

Why UC Riverside deserves a closer look

• It’s a research powerhouse without the ego – UCR is a top-tier research university, but with smaller class sizes and a culture that’s incredibly supportive. Students have real access to professors and opportunities to get involved in research early, yes, even as freshmen.

• Social mobility is in their DNA – UC Riverside consistently ranks among the top universities in the country for social mobility. It’s a place where students from all backgrounds are supported to graduate, build confidence, and launch real futures.

• STEM, business, and the Arts all Thrive Here – From engineering and biology to creative writing and business, UCR offers strong academic programs backed by mentorship and career prep. Students leave with experience that translates directly into jobs or grad school.

• Underrated Location Means Real Access – Located in Southern California’s Inland Empire, UCR students are just a drive away from major industries in LA, Orange County, and San Diego. It’s an affordable and focused environment with big-city opportunity nearby.

Financial Aid Perk

UC Riverside offers the UCR Scholarship Portal, a one-stop system that matches students with campus and donor-funded scholarships based on academics, financial need, leadership, and personal background. Many awards are renewable and don’t require perfect grades to qualify. Students are encouraged to apply early each year to maximize opportunities.

💰 SCHOLARSHIP OF THE WEEK

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

Gloria Barron Prize for Young Heroes

• Award Amount: $10,000

• Deadline: April 15, 2025

• Eligibility: Applicants must be between the ages of 8 and 18 (not yet 19) and be permanent residents of the United States or Canada. They should currently be working on an inspiring service project or have done so within the past 12 months. The service project must be led by the applicant; group projects are not eligible. The prize celebrates young leaders who have made a significant positive difference to people and the environment.

🔥 QUICK ADMISSIONS TIP

Leadership Is Not Just a Title…

When most families think of leadership, they picture titles like club president, team captain, or ASB officer. But colleges are looking for something deeper. They want to see impact.

Leadership isn’t just about holding a position. It’s about how a student shows up, takes initiative, solves problems, and lifts others. That kind of leadership can happen anywhere! At school, at home, online, or in the community.

It could be starting a project, mentoring a younger student, organizing an event, or stepping up when no one else does. These moments matter just as much as official roles.

The key is knowing how to communicate that in your application. When a student can clearly show how they made something better, helped someone, or moved something forward, that’s what stands out to admissions officers.

Want help showing leadership that actually lands with colleges?

We’re hosting a free training this Thursday to walk you through it.

You’ll learn how to highlight leadership without needing a title, how to avoid the most common mistakes students make when describing impact, and how to write activity descriptions and essays that show initiative, growth, and meaningful contribution.

This training will give your teen the tools to stand out for the right reasons. You won’t want to miss it.

🎯 HIDDEN OPPORTUNITY OF THE WEEK

100 Personal Project Ideas That Make You Stand Out

Colleges value students who take initiative and create something on their own. A personal project shows purpose, curiosity, and the ability to follow through, traits admissions officers are looking for.

• Initiative Matters - Projects should be student-driven, not assigned by school or parents. What your teen chooses to do in their free time says a lot about who they are becoming.

• Depth Over Hype - It’s not about going viral. A meaningful, consistent project that reflects your student’s interests or values will always carry more weight than something that’s just trendy.

• Real-World Connection - The best projects often tie into a student’s future major, personal story, or community impact. This makes the application feel more authentic and intentional.

📺 MUST-WATCH TRAINING

College Class of 2026: You Need to Be Preparing Now

Junior year is a turning point. Colleges are already paying attention, and what happens now can set the tone for application season. This is the moment to shift from waiting to leading.

• Start Building Your Edge- From choosing the right classes to stepping up in activities, your student should be making intentional choices that show direction and purpose. Colleges are looking for students who don’t wait to be told what to do.

• Avoid Common Traps- Rising juniors and seniors often make the mistake of thinking they have more time than they do. Waiting too long to plan testing, research colleges, or line up recommenders can cost you options—and money.

• Shape Your Academic and Extracurricular Story - Admissions officers want to see a clear picture. What does your student care about? Where have they grown? What makes them ready for college-level work and responsibility? Every decision this spring should support that story.

• Use Summer Strategically - Summer is not a break from college prep—it’s one of the best times to gain momentum. Whether it’s classes, volunteering, or starting a project, colleges notice how students use their free time.

• Get Ready for Financial Aid Season - Families that plan early don’t just get more options—they get more money. From organizing tax documents to understanding FAFSA changes, now is the time to start prepping behind the scenes.

Bottom Line: The Class of 2026 is already on the clock. The students who plan early will stress less, apply stronger, and stand out when it counts. This free training shows you exactly how to do it right.

ONE QUICK FAVOR

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