10th Grade Check-In: Grades, Extracurriculars, and Planning for Competitive College Admissions

Sophomore year is where many students quietly fall behind without realizing it. In this episode of the Admittedly Podcast, former admissions officer and college admissions expert Thomas Caleel walks sophomores and their families through a critical midyear check in. With the first semester complete and winter break underway, this is the moment to assess grades, course rigor, extracurricular activities, and summer planning before junior year raises the pressure. Thomas explains why sophomore year often feels harder than expected, how academic gaps compound over time, and what students should be doing right now to stay competitive for selective college admissions. Topics covered include: How colleges evaluate academic rigor in high school Why winter break is the best time to fix weak foundations How to narrow extracurriculars without hurting your application When to start thinking about SAT or ACT prep How to plan summer programs, jobs, or volunteering strategically What student athletes need to consider if recruitment is uncertain You will also find free college admissions resources, guides, and planning tools at admittedly.co. And if your family is ready to take the next step, visit https://admittedly.co/apply to apply for a free Family Action call with one of our admissions advisors.