Monthly Action Plan

05 Monthly Action Plan

Kai, the next 6–9 months are about translating your strong academic record into materials that selective colleges can clearly evaluate. Because your academic path includes a homeschool component that has not yet been fully documented, the committee emphasized building a structured academic portfolio early, then using that foundation to produce externally evaluable work in philosophy while also resolving your standardized testing strategy. The calendar below sequences those steps so that by late summer you are positioned to begin applications with credible academic documentation and a clear testing plan.

Following this sequence ensures that your academic background is clearly documented first, your philosophy work is externally evaluable by mid‑year, and your testing decision is resolved before the summer application push.

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Month Priority Actions Target Outcome
Month 1
  • Begin assembling a complete record of your homeschool coursework: course descriptions, reading lists, major assignments, and grading methods used in each class.
  • Identify your strongest humanities or philosophy‑related courses and collect representative essays or written work from those classes.
  • Create a structured document that organizes these materials by course and year.
 A working academic portfolio draft that clearly explains the rigor and structure of your homeschool curriculum.
Month 2
  • Complete the first full version of your homeschool academic portfolio, including reading lists and descriptions of major written assignments.
  • Select a philosophical question or theme for a long‑form essay and begin outlining the argument and sources.
  • Register for an upcoming SAT administration if you intend to retake the exam.
 A finalized curriculum document and a clear outline for your philosophy essay.
Month 3
  • Draft the first complete version of your long‑form philosophy essay (target: a substantial academic piece rather than a short class paper).
  • Share the draft with a teacher, mentor, or knowledgeable reader for feedback.
  • Begin structured SAT preparation if you plan to retake the exam.
 A full essay draft and a defined SAT preparation plan.
Month 4
  • Revise the philosophy essay based on feedback, strengthening the argument and clarity of sources.
  • Identify possible venues for external academic evaluation or submission and review their requirements.
  • Take a full SAT practice test to assess readiness for the official exam.
 A strong second draft of the essay and a clearer sense of whether your SAT trajectory justifies a retake.
Month 5
  • Finalize and submit the philosophy essay to an appropriate external venue or evaluator.
  • Take the SAT retest if practice results suggest improvement potential.
  • If scores do not improve meaningfully, begin preparing a test‑optional strategy.
 An externally shareable academic writing sample and clarity on your standardized testing path.
Month 6
  • Compile your homeschool documentation and philosophy essay into a polished academic portfolio for potential submission with applications.
  • Confirm whether you will apply with SAT scores or pursue a test‑optional approach.
  • Begin outlining personal statement themes (see §06 Essay Strategy).
 A finalized academic portfolio and a confirmed testing decision before summer application work begins.
Month 7 (Early Summer)
  • Draft your main personal statement and begin early revisions (see §06 Essay Strategy).
  • Identify potential recommenders and provide them with your academic portfolio if helpful.
  • Review Early Decision / Early Action policies for your target schools.
 A first personal statement draft and a preliminary early‑application strategy.
Month 8 (Late Summer)
  • Complete strong second drafts of your main essay and begin drafting supplemental responses.
  • Organize your homeschool documentation and writing samples so they are ready for application submission.
  • Finalize your Early Decision or Early Action plan for the fall.
 Application materials largely drafted before senior‑year coursework begins.