--- title: "What to Do in 10th Grade: A Season-by-Season Plan for College Admissions" description: "A season-by-season plan for 10th graders: SAT timing, one big activity goal, summer program deadlines, and what to do if you do not get in." --- [Skip to content](https://www.admithero.com/blog/what-to-do-in-10th-grade-a-season-by-season-plan-for-college-admissions#main-content) [![ah logo-2](https://www.admithero.com/hs-fs/hubfs/ah%20logo-2.png?width=100&height=92&name=ah%20logo-2.png)](https://admithero.com) - [Results](https://www.admithero.com/results) - [Why Us](https://www.admithero.com/why-us) Show submenu for Why Us - [Reviews](https://www.admithero.com/reviews) - [Case Studies](https://www.admithero.com/case-studies) - [Team](https://www.admithero.com/team) - [Book](https://www.admithero.com/book) - [College Guides](https://www.admithero.com/college-admissions-profiles-homepage) - [Packages](https://www.admithero.com/pack) - [Blog](https://www.admithero.com/blog) - [Events](https://www.admithero.com/events) Open main navigation Close main navigation - [Results](https://www.admithero.com/results) - [Why Us](https://www.admithero.com/why-us) Show submenu for Why Us - [Reviews](https://www.admithero.com/reviews) - [Case Studies](https://www.admithero.com/case-studies) - [Team](https://www.admithero.com/team) - [Book](https://www.admithero.com/book) - [College Guides](https://www.admithero.com/college-admissions-profiles-homepage) - [Packages](https://www.admithero.com/pack) - [Blog](https://www.admithero.com/blog) - [Events](https://www.admithero.com/events) - [Book a Strategy Call](https://www.admithero.com/s) [Book a Strategy Call](https://www.admithero.com/s) [All posts](https://www.admithero.com/blog/all) October 29, 2026 # What to Do in 10th Grade: A Season-by-Season Plan for College Admissions By  [Priyanka Chandraker](https://www.admithero.com/blog/author/priyanka-chandraker)  ·  2 minute read **10th grade is the year to turn exploring into building.** You have a sense of what you like. Now it is time to go deeper on it, get the SAT timeline right, and make next summer count. Here is how we suggest planning the year. If you followed our [9th grade plan](https://www.admithero.com/blog/what-to-do-in-9th-grade-a-season-by-season-plan-for-college-admissions), you should be leaving freshman year with up to three focus areas. Sophomore year is where those start to turn into real work. ## Fall - **Check where you are on math and the SAT.** If you are finishing Algebra 2 this year, you are ready to take the SAT, because Algebra 2 is the most math it covers. Start thinking now about when you can prepare. - **Pick one large extracurricular goal to finish by the end of the school year.** Choose it from your focus areas. A clear goal with a finish line beats a general plan to be "more involved". ## Winter - **Apply to summer programs.** Applications open in the fall, with deadlines from January to March. - **Know the odds.** Most seats go to juniors, but some programs also take 10th graders. Apply anyway to the ones that fit, and keep a backup plan ready. ## Spring Did not get in, or could not find a program for 10th graders? Do not worry! There are far fewer programs for 10th graders than for 11th graders, and a rejection says very little about you. - **Focus on what is in your control.** Consider starting your own project from scratch. - **Example:** if you love art, dedicate the summer to it and create a piece you can submit to competitions. - **Map a timeline of competitions for the year.** Write down every deadline, then work backward from each one so you know when to start. ## Summer Keep it simple with two goals: - **SAT prep.** If you finished Algebra 2, Summer is a good stretch to build a steady routine before junior year gets busy. - **Your summer project.** Work on something in one of your three focus areas, and aim to finish with something you can show or use for competitions. ## Quick summary | Season | What to do | | --- | --- | | Fall | Plan SAT timing after Algebra 2, pick one big extracurricular goal | | Winter | Apply to summer programs (deadlines January to March) | | Spring | If you did not get in, start your own project and map competition deadlines | | Summer | SAT prep and a project in one of your three focus areas | ## Keep reading - [What to do in 9th grade](https://www.admithero.com/blog/what-to-do-in-9th-grade-a-season-by-season-plan-for-college-admissions) - [The junior year roadmap](https://www.admithero.com/blog/the-junior-year-roadmap-for-2027-college-applications), so you know what is coming - [Building your college application timeline](https://www.admithero.com/blog/building-your-college-application-timeline-a-step-by-step-guide) ## Need help building strong extracurriculars? The right project depends on what pulls your student in. You can [schedule time with us](https://www.admithero.com/s) and we will walk through a plan for their grade. 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