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

In this issue:

• 💭 Coach Tony's Thoughts – Is it a disadvantage if your extracurriculars have no direct connection to your intended major? Why you need both "tasting your major" activities AND things that make you uniquely you.

• 📅 Monthly Action Plan – Essential August tasks for each grade as application season begins and college prep intensifies.

• ❓ Parent Question of the Month – How to support your senior during application season without taking over the process.

• 🏫 Insider College Spotlight – UC San Diego's revolutionary eight-college system that creates intimate learning communities within a world-class research university.

• 💰 Scholarship of the Month – Kimpact Charitable Foundation grants offering $3,000 awards with an August 24th deadline.

• 🔥 Quick Admissions Tip – Join Coach Tony's live Ask Me Anything sessions every Monday for personalized college admissions guidance.

• 🎯 Hidden Opportunity – 50 summer programs most families never discover, from fully-funded MIT research to exclusive leadership academies.

• 📺 Must-Watch Training – Summer scholarship strategies using the "Weekend Scholarship Workflow" to win funding with essays you've already written.

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

💭 COACH TONY’S THOUGHTS

Is It a Disadvantage or Deal Breaker If Your Extracurriculars Have No Direct Connection to Your Intended Major?

This is one of the most common questions I get from families, and I'm going to give you the real answer that might surprise you.

Here's the thing: When it comes to activities, I recommend doing TWO types of things. First, what I call "tasting your major." These are activities that demonstrate interest in your field. Why? Because colleges will ask you "Why do you want to be this major?" and if you don't have any proof, you just have a big wish.

But here's what most families don't realize: Everyone in your intended major is going to do very similar things. Computer science kids all have coding projects and hackathons. Bio kids all have research and lab work. You can't really compete on that alone.

So the second thing you want to do (and this is crucial) is activities that make you YOU. Things that aren't directly related to your major but show who you are as a person. These could be hobbies, interests, sports, or anything that defines your character.

Why does this matter? Because what you do for activities isn't nearly as important as WHY you did it. I care more about the "why" than the "what." If you did something just because it "looks good for college," that shows. But if you did something because you genuinely cared about it, because it reflects who you are, that's what makes you stand out.

A lot of our students don't do research or internships, and they still get into top schools. Why? Because the "what" isn't as important as the "why." We always start with understanding why you're passionate about something, then work backwards to figure out what activities support that.

Bottom Line: You want both. Some activities that show interest in your major, and others that show who you are as a unique person. Don't stress about having everything perfectly aligned. Admissions officers would rather see authentic passion than calculated resume building.

📅 MONTHLY ACTION PLAN

Month of August

9th Grade

• Set goals for sophomore year and create a clear vision for your high school journey

• Organize your study space and materials for the new academic year

• Review your freshman year to identify strengths and areas for improvement

• Register for fall extracurricular activities and commit to meaningful involvement

• Research potential summer programs or volunteer opportunities for next year

10th Grade

• Register for and prepare to take the PSAT in October (practice for junior year)

• Set goals for junior year and begin mapping out your course selections

• Create a preliminary standardized testing plan for your junior year

• Begin exploring colleges informally through virtual tours and campus visits

• Start building your activities resume by documenting your involvement and achievements

11th Grade

• Finalize your fall testing schedule and register for August/September SAT or ACT if needed

• Refine your college list based on summer research and campus visits

• Continue working on your college essays and personal statements

• Prepare mentally and academically for your rigorous junior year course load

• Complete and polish your activities resume for upcoming applications

12th Grade

• Complete final application preparations as the Common App and UC/CSU applications open August 1st

• Attend college move-in and orientation programs

• Set up your college bank accounts and financial planning systems

• Purchase final school supplies and dorm room essentials

• Confirm any work-study positions or on-campus job opportunities

• Complete any remaining scholarship applications with August deadlines

❓ PARENT QUESTION OF THE MONTH

How Do We Support Our Senior During Application Season Without Taking Over?

August marks the beginning of application season with the Common App and UC/CSU applications opening on August 1st. Many parents wonder how to be supportive without becoming overly involved in the process.

Finding the Right Balance:

• Be the Project Manager, Not the Writer - Help your teen create deadlines and organize their application materials, but resist the urge to edit their essays or fill out forms for them. Colleges want to hear your student's authentic voice, not yours.

• Create a Stress-Free Environment - Application season can be overwhelming. Provide quiet study spaces, healthy meals, and emotional support. Avoid adding pressure by constantly asking about progress or comparing them to other students.

• Know When to Step In - Offer help with logistics like scheduling campus visits, organizing transcripts, or understanding financial aid forms. These administrative tasks are perfect for parent involvement.

• Establish Check-In Times - Rather than hovering, schedule weekly check-ins to review progress and offer support. This gives your teen space to work while ensuring they stay on track.

• Focus on the Bigger Picture - Remind your teen that their worth isn't determined by college admissions. Celebrate their hard work throughout high school and emphasize that there are many paths to success.

Bottom Line: Your role is to be a supportive guide, not a helicopter pilot. Trust that the skills and values you've instilled in your teen will carry them through this process. The goal is for them to own their applications and feel confident in their choices, knowing you're there as their biggest cheerleader.

📢 INSIDER COLLEGE SPOTLIGHT

Insider College Spotlight: UC San Diego

Nestled in the stunning coastal city of La Jolla, UC San Diego offers something truly unique in American higher education: a revolutionary eight-college system that transforms the large university experience into something remarkably personal. This UC campus divides its 31,000 undergraduate students among eight distinct residential colleges, each with its own educational philosophy and tight-knit community.

Why Consider UC San Diego?

• Eight Colleges, One Extraordinary Experience UCSD's residential college system creates intimate learning communities within a world-class research university. Students don't just attend UCSD; they belong to Revelle, Muir, Marshall, Warren, Roosevelt, Sixth, Seventh, or Eighth College. Each college attracts different personalities and academic focuses, from Revelle's emphasis on well-rounded education to Warren's focus on engineering and technical fields.

• Research Powerhouse with Undergraduate Focus Students conduct cutting-edge research at the affiliated Scripps Institution of Oceanography, work on fusion energy projects with General Atomics, and benefit from proximity to San Diego's thriving biotech corridor. The campus recently established a Fusion Data Science and Digital Engineering Center, putting students at the forefront of clean energy research.

• Stunning Location with Career Advantages The La Jolla campus provides more than just Instagram-worthy shots. Students access internships and career opportunities throughout San Diego's innovation economy while enjoying year-round perfect weather and coastal living.

• Academic Excellence UCSD ranks #29 nationally and #6 among public universities, with particular strength in life sciences, engineering, computer science, and marine science. The campus boasts a 75% four-year graduation rate and post-graduation median salaries of $65,669.

Financial Aid Perk 💰 UCSD participates in the Blue and Gold Opportunity Plan, covering full tuition for California families earning under $80,000 annually. The campus also offers extensive need-based aid programs and merit scholarships for high-achieving students.

💰 SCHOLARSHIP OF THE MONTH

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

Kimpact Charitable Foundation Grants

Award Amount: $3,000 (Two awards available)

Deadline: August 24, 2025

Eligibility: Open to residents of the 50 United States and District of Columbia. Applicants can be high school seniors, college students, or individuals pursuing educational goals. The foundation supports individuals pursuing their dreams and goals that align with the foundation's mission of connecting people and possibilities for positive change. Both current students and those planning to attend college are eligible to apply.

🔥 QUICK ADMISSIONS TIP

Ask Me Anything- Coach Tony

Got College Admissions Questions? Get Real Answers from Coach Tony Every week, families ask us dozens of questions about college admissions. From "How many APs should my student take?" to "What do admissions officers really look for in essays?" – and everything in between.

Instead of waiting for answers or searching through endless college forums, why not ask directly?

Every Monday, Coach Tony hosts live Ask Me Anything sessions where you can get personalized advice for your family's specific situation. Whether you're worried about course selection, wondering how to showcase leadership, or trying to decode financial aid, this is your chance to get expert guidance.

These aren't generic webinars with pre-scripted content. They're real conversations where you can ask follow-up questions, get clarification, and walk away with actionable steps for your student's college journey.

The best part? You'll hear other families' questions too, which often reveals insights you didn't even know you needed.

No more guessing. No more second-guessing. Just straight answers from someone who's helped thousands of families navigate this process successfully.

🎯 HIDDEN OPPORTUNITY OF THE MONTH

50 Summer Programs Most Families Never Hear About

While most students scramble for the same well-known summer programs, there's a treasure trove of prestigious opportunities that fly under the radar. From fully-funded research institutes to exclusive leadership academies, these hidden gems can transform your college application without breaking the bank.

• Student-Driven Value - These aren't your typical summer camps. We're talking about programs where students conduct real research at MIT, work alongside Nobel laureates, and build projects that win national competitions.

• Quality Over Quantity - Focus on depth rather than just creating something flashy. Many of these programs are completely free or offer substantial scholarships, making elite experiences accessible to students from all backgrounds.

• Major and Career Connection - Whether your student is interested in STEM research, social justice advocacy, or creative arts, this collection includes specialized programs that provide real-world experience and valuable connections in their field of interest.

Download our complete guide featuring 50 summer programs including application deadlines, costs, eligibility requirements, and insider tips that most families never discover!

📺 MUST-WATCH TRAINING

Summer Scholarship Blitz: Hidden Opportunities That Most Families Never Find

Most families think scholarship season ends when school's out, but summer is actually when the smartest students get ahead. While everyone else is taking a break, you can build a scholarship pipeline that could fund your entire college education.

Coach Art reveals the insider strategies that have helped students win thousands in scholarship money using essays they've already written. This isn't about applying to the same oversaturated national scholarships everyone knows about. It's about finding the hidden gems that receive fewer applications and offer better odds.

You'll discover the "Weekend Scholarship Workflow" that takes just three days to find, customize, and submit scholarship applications. Learn why smaller scholarships ($500-$2,500) are actually more valuable than chasing the big $25,000 awards that thousands of students compete for.

Most importantly, you'll master the keyword search technique that uncovers niche scholarships based on your unique interests, background, and activities. From left-handed students to Star Trek fans, there are scholarships for almost everything.

Bottom Line: Scholarship searching isn't just a senior year activity. It's a skill that can eliminate college debt entirely. Students who start this system early and make it a habit often graduate college with money in their pocket instead of loans to repay.

ONE QUICK FAVOR

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