At Mindspire, we work with hundreds of families every year—and we know that preparing for college isn't just about getting the right test score. It's about navigating a complex and often confusing system of applications, deadlines, essays, financial aid, and big decisions. Parents often come to us with questions that go far beyond the SAT or ACT. We’ve highlighted six of the most common—and most important—questions we hear below. 

Every student has their own unique circumstances and we know you have more questions. That’s why we are excited to host a webinar with Alyse Levine, founder of Premium Prep College Counseling. Alyse will discuss some of these issues and answer your questions about the college admissions process.

Join us for this webinar on Wednesday, June 18 at 7:30pm ET.

 Register here for the webinar!

1. When should we start thinking seriously about college admissions?

The short answer: earlier than you think, but not in a panic.

We recommend that families begin having conversations about college around 9th or 10th grade, focusing on exploring interests, building good study habits, and getting involved in meaningful extracurriculars. By junior year, students should start researching colleges, thinking about majors, and mapping out their application strategy—including essays, recommendation letters, and testing (even at “test optional” schools—more on that below).

2. How many colleges should my child apply to?

Most students apply to 8–12 colleges, ideally spread across:

• Reach schools (where admission is less likely but still possible)
  
  
• Match schools (where the student’s profile aligns well with admitted students)
  
  
• Safety schools (where admission is very likely and the student would still be happy to attend)

There’s no magic number—but every school on the list should be a genuine fit, not just a name-brand placeholder. Counselors often help students build a thoughtful list that reflects who they are and where they’ll thrive.

3. What does “test optional” really mean? Should my child still submit scores?

This is one of the most misunderstood parts of the admissions landscape right now.

"Test optional" means that a college does not require SAT or ACT scores. However, that doesn’t mean scores don’t help. In many cases, strong test scores can still strengthen an application, especially for competitive schools or when a student's GPA is on the lower side.

A good rule of thumb:
If your test scores are at or above the middle 50% range of the college’s admitted students, you should strongly consider submitting them. If they're below that range, then it might be better to apply without them.

We work closely with students to help make this decision strategically, based on their full academic profile and target schools.

4. Do extracurricular activities really matter—and which ones are best?

Absolutely. Colleges are looking for students who will bring energy, leadership, and curiosity to their campus communities. But they’re not looking for “busy” students—they’re looking for engaged ones.

What matters most is depth over breadth. A student who commits to a few activities and shows growth, leadership, or initiative (like starting a club, leading a project, or pursuing independent research) will stand out far more than one who joins 10 clubs and leads none.

5. How important are grades compared to other factors?

Grades are still the most important factor in most admissions decisions. Colleges want to see strong performance over time, particularly in core academic subjects and challenging courses (like honors, AP, or IB classes, if available).

That said, colleges also consider:

• Grade trends (improvement over time is a good sign!)
  
  
• School context (is your student taking advantage of the opportunities available?)
  
  
• Balance (strong academics paired with meaningful involvement)
  

Essays, test scores, and recommendations are all part of the holistic review—but grades open the door.

6. What if we’re worried about affording college?

You’re not alone—college costs are daunting for many families. The good news? The sticker price is often not what families actually pay. Many colleges offer:

• Need-based financial aid
  
  
• Merit scholarships
  
  
• Special scholarships for academic, artistic, or leadership achievements
  

Use each school’s Net Price Calculator to estimate real costs. And don’t overlook great in-state options or schools with strong aid policies. Most importantly, have early, open conversations as a family about budget—financial fit is just as important as academic fit.

💡 Final Thoughts

The college admissions process can feel overwhelming, but you don’t have to figure it out alone. At Mindspire, we support families not just with test prep—but with the bigger picture: how to make smart, empowered choices in this journey.

Got a question we didn’t answer here? We’re happy to help. Reach out to us at info@mindspireprep.com, visit our website or explore our upcoming webinars for even more support.