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5 Tips for 9th & 10th Graders Dreaming of Stanford (and other highly selective schools)
If your student hopes to attend Stanford, MIT, or another highly selective college, the path forward is not about doing everything. It is about doing what matters most, with clarity and intention. At schools where acceptance rates sit below 10 percent, academic excellence is just the starting point. What sets students apart is how they grow outside the classroom and how their choices reflect purpose.
The good news? The foundation for a standout application begins early. What students do in 9th and 10th grade has the power to shape their story in meaningful, authentic ways. Here are five smart moves students can make now, with real-world examples of how others have done it successfully.
If your student is already talking about wanting to attend colleges like Stanford, where admissions rates are in the single digits, here’s how you can support them in their quest. Encourage them to:
1. Choose Challenging Classes That Reflect Direction
Selective colleges review transcripts first. They want to see students take the most rigorous courses available in core subjects—English, math, science, social studies, and world language—especially when those courses reflect alignment with a student’s future goals. But this is not just about stacking APs or trying to impress admissions officers. It is about choosing classes that show curiosity, consistency, and a willingness to push yourself in areas that matter to you.
For a student interested in engineering or computer science, that might mean aiming for Honors or AP Physics, AP Calculus, and AP Computer Science by junior year. A future business major should consider taking AP Statistics, AP Economics, or accounting courses if available. Students drawn to health sciences often build a strong foundation in biology and chemistry early on, then add AP Biology or AP Chemistry later. For those interested in the humanities, courses like AP English Language, AP English Literature, AP World History, or AP Psychology can show depth and academic engagement. The key is to make course choices that reflect your interests and support long-term growth—not just short-term optics.
Example: A 9th grader with an interest in engineering enrolled in Honors Geometry and began exploring physics through a summer STEM program. In 10th grade, she added Chemistry and joined the school’s robotics team. These choices allowed her to take AP Physics and Calculus by junior year and built a strong academic foundation for her future major.
2. Build Depth in Activities, Not Just a Long List
Colleges are not impressed by activity overload. They are drawn to students who commit to a few areas and go deep. That kind of sustained effort—over several years—signals maturity, purpose, and a clear sense of direction. What matters is not how many clubs you join, but how you show up in the ones you care about. Did you stick with it? Did you grow? Did you help others grow too?
As students move through 9th and 10th grade, the goal should be to shift from participation to contribution. Selective colleges are looking for initiative and impact—students who don’t just attend meetings but step into leadership roles, start new projects, or make existing ones better. That might mean mentoring younger members, launching a new campaign, organizing an event, or creating a new resource. Titles alone don’t impress colleges. Actions do. What changed because you were involved? That’s the kind of story admissions officers remember.
Example: A student joined the school’s literary magazine as a freshman, contributing essays and helping with layout. By 10th grade, she became the editor-in-chief and launched a student-led writing workshop for younger students. Her leadership felt natural, not forced. And her story reflected authentic growth rooted in something she genuinely cared about.
3. Foster Intellectual Curiosity
One of the most effective ways to demonstrate “fit to major” is by connecting what you are learning in class with what you are exploring on your own. Whether through a structured summer program, an independent project, or outreach to a local professor, early research shows a student is not just interested in a subject—they are engaged and willing to go deeper. It also signals maturity, discipline, and a genuine desire to learn for the sake of discovery, not just for recognition.
Strong research often grows out of intellectual curiosity—a student’s desire to ask big questions, follow ideas, and make unexpected connections. That might mean building a project around something sparked in biology class, diving into economic theory through podcasts and case studies, or analyzing primary sources that go beyond the textbook. Students who show this kind of initiative often become the ones who ask insightful questions in class, seek out mentors, and find creative ways to apply what they’ve learned. Over time, that mindset becomes a defining part of their academic story.
Example: A 10th grader fascinated by neuroscience began reading peer-reviewed journals and reached out to a local university lab. With guidance from a professor, she designed a small-scale project analyzing cognitive patterns in puzzle-solving. Her work didn’t win awards, but it sparked real growth and gave her a strong foundation for future academic essays and summer programs.
4. Lead With Purpose in the Common Good
Selective colleges want students who do more than check off a list of service hours. They are looking for young people who live their values and take initiative to contribute to their communities in ways that feel personal and meaningful. Acts of service do not have to be flashy to matter. What stands out is consistency, thoughtfulness, and a willingness to act on behalf of others. Whether it is tutoring a younger student, supporting a local shelter, or advocating for a cause you care about, the goal is not to impress. It is to make a real difference. And often, that sense of purpose begins at home. Many students first experience service by volunteering with their families—helping with food drives, cleaning up parks, or organizing donation efforts. When that shared work evolves into individual leadership, it becomes a powerful part of a student’s story.
As students move through high school, they can deepen that impact by taking ownership of a specific issue or need. That might mean designing a peer education program, creating accessible resources, or partnering with a local nonprofit. What colleges notice most is not the size of the project, but the heart behind it. Who did you serve? What did you learn? How did you grow? These are the questions that bring your application to life.
Example: A 9th grader who grew up helping at her church’s food pantry began to notice gaps in access for Spanish-speaking families. By 10th grade, she launched a nutrition awareness campaign in Spanish and partnered with local clinics to distribute bilingual materials. Her work grew from a family tradition but reflected her own voice, values, and leadership.
5. Pay Attention to What Lights You Up
Students who thrive in the selective admissions process are often the ones who know themselves. They understand what excites them, what questions they love exploring, and what kind of work feels meaningful. That kind of self-awareness doesn’t happen overnight—it grows from journaling, conversations with mentors, trying new things, and paying close attention to what feels energizing. Colleges are not looking for a perfect résumé. They are looking for students who have a clear sense of direction and can connect the dots between their choices and their goals. A strong application is not just a collection of achievements. It is a story that reveals who the student is becoming.
As students reflect on their path, it is also important to keep perspective. Applying to college should be rooted in growth, not anxiety. Encourage your student to explore a wide range of schools, not just the most selective ones. Focus on fit over prestige. Help them recognize that learning, contribution, and joy matter more than polished accolades. Make space for rest, hobbies, and fun—burnout helps no one. And begin talking early about financial realities so there are no surprises later. Students who are grounded, curious, and reflective tend to make stronger, more confident choices—both in their applications and in their lives.
Example: A student who loved math and tutoring started journaling about what made her feel most alive at school. That reflection led her to create a peer math mentoring program for students with learning differences. By senior year, she had trained 12 tutors and presented her model to the school board. Her story stood out not because it was flashy, but because it was true.
By taking a proactive and balanced approach to college preparation, with a strong focus on academic excellence, intellectual curiosity, meaningful extracurricular involvement, community engagement, and personal well-being, you can help your 9th or 10th grader build a strong foundation for their future. Whether that includes Stanford or another great-fit institution, the goal is to help your child develop into a curious, capable, and well-rounded individual ready to thrive in college and beyond.