.webp)
One of the most common worries among high school parents and students is: “Are we too late?”, “Is Grade 11 too rushed?”, or “What should we do year by year?”
In reality, a strong application cannot be built in a few months. At international schools, planning starts as early as Grade 9—giving students the time to explore, grow, and define their path with clarity.
You Can’t Build a University Profile in the Last Few Months of Grade 12
Top global universities look for more than grades. A competitive application includes:
- Strong GPA sustained over 3–4 years of high school
- Deep extracurricular involvement showing long-term commitment
- Excellent writing and interview skills, developed through consistent practice
- Strong academic English (IELTS/TOEFL)
- Personal projects, awards, and certifications accumulated over time
This kind of profile can’t be rushed—strategic preparation must begin early, especially within international programs.
.webp)
What to Focus on Each Year of High School
In international schools, the application journey is planned out with clear milestones:
- Grade 9 – Discovery phase: explore interests, try various clubs, build academic English
- Grade 10 – Foundation phase: select subjects that align with future majors, commit to long-term projects or leadership roles
- Grade 11 – Optimization phase: focus on grades, select strategic AP subjects, draft personal essays, shortlist universities
- Grade 12 – Execution phase: finalize applications, polish essays, request recommendations, submit on time across platforms (Common App, UC, UCAS…)
Structured, year-by-year guidance eliminates the panic of “last-minute catch-up.”
How TAS Designs a 4-Year Strategy for Each Student
At The American School (TAS), building a standout application isn’t just the student’s job—it’s a collaborative effort between advisors, students, and parents from Day 1 of high school.
TAS offers:
- Customized 4-year timelines, tailored to each student’s strengths, goals, and learning style
- Semester checklists that track what should be achieved in each phase
- Dedicated mentors and college counselors who help with course selection, extracurricular planning, essay writing, and interviews
- Frequent progress reports to keep parents updated and aligned with the student’s university plan
With this support system, TAS students don’t just study well—they study with purpose and confidence, building a clear roadmap toward international higher education.
📍 Address: 6 Song Hành, Long Thành – Dầu Giây Expressway, An Phu Ward, Thu Duc City, HCMC
📞 Hotline: 0909 046 223
🌐 Website: https://www.tas.edu.vn
📘 Fanpage: https://www.facebook.com/TheAmericanSchoolTAS
📧 Email: admissions@mytas.edu.vn
📝 Register for a university roadmap consultation here: https://tas.edu.vn/vi/admissions-page/enrollment-form
.avif)