THE STUDENT PLAYBOOK Your Four-Year Roadmap to Success
High school isn’t a checklist-it’s an adventure.
Here, you’ll discover unique opportunities every step of the way. Ready to make your mark? Stand out and get Discovered.
The four years at high school are not just about subject classes and tests, it’s your launchpad for what comes next. This suggestive playbook is your starter guide to making every year count, designed for students ready to level up their experience and help them in college application support.
Ready to own your journey? Use this year-by-year roadmap as guiding factor, and you’ll uncover many new ways to supercharge your academics, find your passion, take on leadership roles, and set yourself apart for college and beyond. Whether you’re still confused, starting fresh or looking to take firmed up steps, your playbook for a bold, successful high school adventure begins here.
Kickstart Your High School Journey
Explore Dynamic Year-by-Year Plans for Growth, Fun, and Future Wins
Explore – The goal this year for students is to mainly find interests, start building a resume, and lay their academic groundwork.
- Start with a few honors courses in core subjects
- Geometry or Algebra I/II
- Biology
- English I
- World History
- Foreign Language
- Start with a foreign language
- Develop strong study habits
- Join academic clubs that the student is interested in
- Debate / Speech
- Student Government / Leadership Council
- Science Olympiad
- Math Club / AMC Preparation
- Model UN
- Key Club or Community Service Club
- Cultural Clubs
- Art Club
- Start joining small competitions
- American Mathematics Competitions
- Science Olympiad
- Future Business Leaders of America entry events
- DECA
- Scholastic Art & Writing Awards on writing, poetry, and visual arts
- Spelling Bee / Geography Bee
- Have fun during the summer but also work on small things
- Local STEM/Business/Leadership Camps (ex: NSLC, iDTech, Junior State of America)
- Volunteer consistently (at one or two orgs – think library, hospital, community pantry)
- Build a passion project blog or YouTube channel on your interest
- Start building an authentic digital profile and regularly update the same.
Engage – Now that the student has tried out multiple clubs and competitions, they can focus on a few that interest them. The goal of this year is to start specializing in 1–2 areas, seek leadership and awards/honors.
- Take at least 1 AP course
- Keep GPA high, and explore electives for the topic that interests the student
- Business: AP Economics
- Science: AP Biology, Chemistry, etc.
- Start PSAT preparation
- Narrow down to 2–3 clubs with active involvement
- Run for leadership roles for clubs secretary, PR, and treasurer
- Join national chapters for competitions (FBLA, DECA, MUN, etc.)
- Begin volunteering in a niche aligned with interest
- Example: tech volunteering for coding for nonprofits or tutoring
- Continue joining competitions for awards and honors
- AMC 10 which can help qualify for AIME
- Science Olympiad Regionals
- FBLA State Competition (choose event tracks: business plan, public speaking, etc.)
- DECA (roleplay + written)
- Model UN Conferences (e.g., BMUN, ILMUNC)
- History / Economics Bees
- TSA (Technology Student Association)
- Code competitions: USACO Bronze, Hackathons
- Apply for competitive pre-college summer programs:
- YYGS (Yale Young Global Scholars)
- Notre Dame Leadership Seminars
- COSMOS (California residents)
- Girls Who Code Summer Immersion
- LaunchX (entrepreneurship)
- Intern or shadow a local professional in a field of interest
- Begin working on independent research or case study
- Strengthen your digital footprints with engaging content and celebrate your achievements online
Exploit – This is the most important year for students as this is the final year before they must prepare for college. Achievement and leadership are important to highlight this year.
- Take 3–5 AP Courses (e.g., AP Lang, APUSH, AP Calc AB/BC, AP Chem/Physics)
- Take the PSAT/NMSQT (aim for National Merit Semifinalist status)
- Prep for SAT/ACT (take at least once by Spring in order to get their desired score)
- Build relationships with teachers for recommendation letters
- Hold top leadership in 1–2 clubs (President, Captain)
- Launch your own initiative or organization (e.g., nonprofit, competition)
- Participate in college courses (edX, Coursera, or dual enrollment)
- Publish content (writing, research, YouTube, podcast)
- Join a National Honors Society
- Continue to join competitions for honors and awards if time allows
- Regeneron ISEF-affiliated Science Fair
- National Economics Challenge
- Fed Challenge (if school has Econ/Finance teams)
- American Legion Oratorical Contest
- American Legion Oratorical Contest
- NSDA Speech & Debate Nationals
- TSA Nationals
- HOSA (future health professionals)
- USABO, USAPhO (Biology and Physics Olympiads)
- USACO Silver or Gold
- App Challenge (e.g., Congressional App Challenge)
- Be proactive!
- Build resume and begin college list
- Visit colleges (virtual or physical tours)
- Take initiative to cold email professors for summer research and internships
- Look to apply to selective summer programs (many were only available for juniors)
- Research Science Institute (RSI)
- MITES / MIT Beaver Works
- Stanford Summer Institutes
- Bank of America Student Leaders
- UC COSMOS (if not taken already)
- Volunteer/Intern at Research Labs
- If not selected: do independent research or capstone project, submit to journals
- Finalize college essay draft by end of summer
- Build your student portfolio with an active digital profile
- Attend college counseling sessions regulary
Embark – It’s important for students to end strong. This year students must focus on college applications, scholarship search, and conclusion of any projects they’ve been working on.
- Take 3–4 APs or Dual Enrollment classes
- Finish testing by early Fall (if retaking SAT/ACT)
- Maintain strong grades
- Finalize:
- College List (reach, match, safety)
- Common App Essay
- Supplementals
- Apply Early Action / Early Decision for specific schools
- Apply for scholarships:
- Coca-Cola Scholarship
- Elks National Foundation MVS
- Gates Scholarship
- Burger King Scholars
- Jack Kent Cooke Foundation
- Focus on continuing leadership roles
- Final year of major competitions
- After college results comes out and students decide where they want to go for the next 4 years:
- Prepare for college transition
- Attend orientation
- Network with future peers
- Read ahead or intern before college begins
- Connect with your peers and seniors in the shortlisted college to gain insights
- Make most of your college application consultant
Explore - The goal this year for students is to mainly find interests, start building a resume, and lay their academic groundwork.
- Start with a few honors courses in core subjects
- Geometry or Algebra I/II
- Biology
- English I
- World History
- Foreign Language
- Start with a foreign language
- Develop strong study habits
- Join academic clubs that the student is interested in
- Debate / Speech
- Student Government / Leadership Council
- Science Olympiad
- Math Club / AMC Preparation
- Model UN
- Key Club or Community Service Club
- Cultural Clubs
- Art Club
- Start joining small competitions
- American Mathematics Competitions
- Science Olympiad
- Future Business Leaders of America entry events
- DECA
- Scholastic Art & Writing Awards on writing, poetry, and visual arts
- Spelling Bee / Geography Bee
- Have fun during the summer but also work on small things
- Local STEM/Business/Leadership Camps (ex: NSLC, iDTech, Junior State of America)
- Volunteer consistently (at one or two orgs - think library, hospital, community pantry)
- Build a passion project blog or YouTube channel on your interest
- Start building an authentic digital profile and regularly update the same.
Engage - Now that the student has tried out multiple clubs and competitions, they can focus on a few that interest them. The goal of this year is to start specializing in 1–2 areas, seek leadership and awards/honors.
- Take at least 1 AP course
- Keep GPA high, and explore electives for the topic that interests the student
- Business: AP Economics
- Science: AP Biology, Chemistry, etc.
- Start PSAT preparation
- Narrow down to 2–3 clubs with active involvement
- Run for leadership roles for clubs secretary, PR, and treasurer
- Join national chapters for competitions (FBLA, DECA, MUN, etc.)
- Begin volunteering in a niche aligned with interest
- Example: tech volunteering for coding for nonprofits or tutoring
- Continue joining competitions for awards and honors
- AMC 10 which can help qualify for AIME
- Science Olympiad Regionals
- FBLA State Competition (choose event tracks: business plan, public speaking, etc.)
- DECA (roleplay + written)
- Model UN Conferences (e.g., BMUN, ILMUNC)
- History / Economics Bees
- TSA (Technology Student Association)
- Code competitions: USACO Bronze, Hackathons
- Apply for competitive pre-college summer programs:
- YYGS (Yale Young Global Scholars)
- Notre Dame Leadership Seminars
- COSMOS (California residents)
- Girls Who Code Summer Immersion
- LaunchX (entrepreneurship)
- Intern or shadow a local professional in a field of interest
- Begin working on independent research or case study
- Strengthen your digital footprints with engaging content and celebrate your achievements online
Exploit - This is the most important year for students as this is the final year before they must prepare for college. Achievement and leadership are important to highlight this year.
- Take 3–5 AP Courses (e.g., AP Lang, APUSH, AP Calc AB/BC, AP Chem/Physics)
- Take the PSAT/NMSQT (aim for National Merit Semifinalist status)
- Prep for SAT/ACT (take at least once by Spring in order to get their desired score)
- Build relationships with teachers for recommendation letters
- Hold top leadership in 1–2 clubs (President, Captain)
- Launch your own initiative or organization (e.g., nonprofit, competition)
- Participate in college courses (edX, Coursera, or dual enrollment)
- Publish content (writing, research, YouTube, podcast)
- Join a National Honors Society
- Continue to join competitions for honors and awards if time allows
- Regeneron ISEF-affiliated Science Fair
- National Economics Challenge
- Fed Challenge (if school has Econ/Finance teams)
- American Legion Oratorical Contest
- American Legion Oratorical Contest
- NSDA Speech & Debate Nationals
- TSA Nationals
- HOSA (future health professionals)
- USABO, USAPhO (Biology and Physics Olympiads)
- USACO Silver or Gold
- App Challenge (e.g., Congressional App Challenge)
- Be proactive!
- Build resume and begin college list
- Visit colleges (virtual or physical tours)
- Take initiative to cold email professors for summer research and internships
- Look to apply to selective summer programs (many were only available for juniors)
- Research Science Institute (RSI)
- MITES / MIT Beaver Works
- Stanford Summer Institutes
- Bank of America Student Leaders
- UC COSMOS (if not taken already)
- Volunteer/Intern at Research Labs
- If not selected: do independent research or capstone project, submit to journals
- Finalize college essay draft by end of summer
- Build your student portfolio with an active digital profile
- Attend college counseling sessions regulary
Embark - It’s important for students to end strong. This year students must focus on college applications, scholarship search, and conclusion of any projects they’ve been working on.
- Take 3–4 APs or Dual Enrollment classes
- Finish testing by early Fall (if retaking SAT/ACT)
- Maintain strong grades
- Finalize:
- College List (reach, match, safety)
- Common App Essay
- Supplementals
- Apply Early Action / Early Decision for specific schools
- Apply for scholarships:
- Coca-Cola Scholarship
- Elks National Foundation MVS
- Gates Scholarship
- Burger King Scholars
- Jack Kent Cooke Foundation
- Focus on continuing leadership roles
- Final year of major competitions
- After college results comes out and students decide where they want to go for the next 4 years:
- Prepare for college transition
- Attend orientation
- Network with future peers
- Read ahead or intern before college begins
- Connect with your peers and seniors in the shortlisted college to gain insights
- Make most of your college application consultant
It’s your launchpad. Dive in, Explore deep, Discover new, and Play more. Shape The High School Story that’s Truly Yours.
