Custom Gameplan

Inside this roadmap

What’s in Demo’s plan.

01
The thesis
What we are building toward, in one paragraph.
02
School-by-school gameplan
Reverse-engineered from each school's published data.
03
The timeline
Session-by-session through senior submission.
04
Family deadline sheet
Every date in one place, sorted by the calendar.
05
Phases your plan covers
What is included end-to-end, with full transparency.
06
Recommended engagement
AcceptED Complete Pathway — the plan that matches this student's lift.

College Roadmap · Custom Gameplan

Custom Roadmap for

Demo Student

Let’s get you SupportED to get you AcceptED.

Junior (current)Computer ScienceTX3 schools · 2R / 1T / 0SPrepared April 27, 2026

01 · The thesis

Demo Student — 11th grade, 3-school target list. The list skews reach-heavy; we need at least one safety before submission.

What we are building toward, in one paragraph.

Positioned as a computer science student with a defendable spike — first-gen college · bilingual (Spanish).

Strengths in the file

Strong academic floor (3.85 UW GPA)
Very Rigorous course load

Gaps to close

Retake test targeting 1500+ SAT (25th percentile). If stuck, apply test-optional and over-index on rigor + essays.
Raise unweighted GPA toward 4.13 — hold an A average through senior fall.

List balance

Add at least one Safety school before submission.

02 · School-by-school gameplan

Reverse-engineered from each school's Common Data Set.

One block per school. Status chip up top, factor signals beneath, and the playbook split into Academics, Activities, and Personal Story.

Cambridge, MA · Admit ~3% · Private

Harvard University

Far Reach

High confidence · Reach-to-win

Harvard admits ~3% of applicants. The student's 3.85 GPA is below their middle-50% band — the single biggest lever. A 1450 SAT is below the 25th percentile — retake or apply test-optional. Course rigor matches their "Rigor of secondary school record" expectation.

GPA

below

—

Test

below

SAT 1500–1580

Rigor

meets

Very Rigorous

Academics

No specific signals — follow the standard pathway.

Activities

Harvard does **not** track demonstrated interest — do not burn hours on visits or info-session check-ins. Put the time into essay depth and rigor.

Personal Story

Lean into what Harvard values: Harvard values academic excellence, intellectual curiosity, and a demonstrated commitment to making a positive impact on the world.
Personal context (first-gen college, bilingual (Spanish)) is considered — weave it into the "Why us" supplement authentically, not as a plea.
Hit at least two of Harvard's application targets: "A strong application should signal exceptional academic achievement, a passion for learning, and a track record of leadership and service" and "It should also highlight unique talents and perspectives that will enrich the Harvard community".
Avoid the known red flag: "Generic essays that could be submitted to any top university".

Gaps to close — in priority order

Retake test targeting 1500+ SAT (25th percentile). If stuck, apply test-optional and over-index on rigor + essays.

AP strategy for Harvard

Intended Computer Science: lock AP Calc BC + AP Physics C + AP CSA. Skip AP CSP if CSA is available.
Harvard's AP credit threshold is 3+. Target 4+ on every exam the student sits.

Deadlines · 2025-2026

REANov 1, 25

RDJan 1, 26

FAFSAFeb 1, 26

Ann Arbor, MI · Admit ~16% · Public

University of Michigan, Ann Arbor

Reach

Medium confidence · Reach-to-win

Michigan admits ~16% of applicants. A 1450 SAT sits inside the 25th–75th band. Course rigor matches their "Rigor of secondary school record" expectation.

GPA

unknown

—

Test

within

SAT 1360–1530

Rigor

meets

Very Rigorous

Academics

Course rigor is Very Important at Michigan. Push to "Most Rigorous" on the counselor rating — at least 4 APs by end of senior fall.

Activities

Demonstrated interest is Considered at Michigan. Watched: 'Why us' essay specificity. Focus on crafting a strong application with excellent academics and a compelling 'Why Us' essay; other interest signals are less important.

Personal Story

Lean into what Michigan values: Michigan is looking for students with a strong academic record, particularly in challenging courses, who can also demonstrate their character and potential to contribute to the university community.
Hit at least two of Michigan's application targets: "Demonstrate a commitment to academic excellence through a rigorous high school curriculum" and "Showcase your leadership potential and engagement in extracurricular activities".
Avoid the known red flag: "A generic application that doesn't show a genuine interest in the University of Michigan".

AP strategy for Michigan

Intended Computer Science: lock AP Calc BC + AP Physics C + AP CSA. Skip AP CSP if CSA is available.
Michigan's AP credit threshold is 3+. Target 4+ on every exam the student sits.

Deadlines · 2025-2026

ED INov 1, 25

EANov 1, 25

RDFeb 1, 26

FAFSAMar 1, 26

Pittsburgh, PA · Admit ~58% · BS/MD

University of Pittsburgh — Guaranteed Admit Program (GAP) BS/MD

Likely

High confidence · Financial-safety

Pitt GAP admits ~58% of applicants. The student's 3.85 GPA is below their middle-50% band — the single biggest lever. A 1450 SAT is above the 75th percentile here. Course rigor matches their "Rigor of secondary school record" expectation.

GPA

below

avg 4.13

Test

above

SAT 1270–1450

Rigor

meets

Very Rigorous

Academics

Course rigor is Very Important at Pitt GAP. Push to "Most Rigorous" on the counselor rating — at least 4 APs by end of senior fall.
Essays are Very Important. Plan 4 drafting rounds for the Common App personal statement + every supplemental.

Activities

Sustained service is weighted Important. One long-term commitment (100+ hours, recurring partner) beats ten one-off days.
Work/internship is weighted Important. Secure a paid or credit-bearing role by next summer — even retail counts if framed around responsibility.
Demonstrated interest is Important at Pitt GAP. Watched: campus visit, virtual info session. Attend an on-campus or virtual information session to demonstrate interest.

Personal Story

Lean into what Pitt GAP values: A deep and demonstrated commitment to a career in medicine, not just a high GPA and test scores.
Personal context (first-gen college, bilingual (Spanish)) is considered — weave it into the "Why us" supplement authentically, not as a plea.
Hit at least two of Pitt GAP's application targets: "Demonstrated interest in medicine through medically-related experiences" and "Strong academic performance, especially in science and math".
Avoid the known red flag: "Lack of medically-related experiences or volunteer work".

Gaps to close — in priority order

Raise unweighted GPA toward 4.13 — hold an A average through senior fall.

AP strategy for Pitt GAP

Intended Computer Science: lock AP Calc BC + AP Physics C + AP CSA. Skip AP CSP if CSA is available.
Pitt GAP's AP credit threshold is 3+. Target 4+ on every exam the student sits.

Deadlines · 2025-2026

Rolling—

Merit priorityDec 1, 25

FAFSAMay 1, 26

03 · The timeline

Session-by-session through senior submission.

Coach, student, and parent each see what they own per window.

Window

Spring sophomore → summer before junior

Grade 10

Turn the spike into a portfolio artifact.

Coach does

Research/mentor match for summer project
Draft activity narrative & CV v1
Begin college list research (broad)

Student does

Ship one artifact by Labor Day (paper, app, club launch, competition result)
PSAT prep — 8 weeks, target NMSQT cutoff state-by-state

Parent does

Fund one paid program or an independent summer that produces evidence
Block calendar for PSAT day

Window

Junior year — the engine

Grade 11

Testing, list finalization, and the story arc.

Coach does

Full college list segmentation: 2 reach-to-win · 4 anchors · 2 financial-safeties
SAT/ACT cadence: diagnostic → 3-month prep → first sitting by March
Story arc workshop — lock the thesis essays

Student does

Hit the test target or plan test-optional strategy by April
Two leadership moves logged by May
Common App activities drafted and pruned to 10

Parent does

Run the 529/ROI conversation — which schools are fit + affordable
Attend the family values session with coach

Window

Senior fall — execution

Grade 12

Apply with confidence and a defendable list.

Coach does

Weekly Common App review + supplemental drafting calendar
Recommender kickoff packet (bragsheet, deadlines, stamps)
ED/REA decision framework session with family

Student does

Personal statement done by Labor Day
Every ED/REA supplement draft v1 by Sept 15
All transcripts, scores, recs requested by Oct 1

Parent does

Keep the home calm — no new stress sources in October
Handle the CSS/FAFSA and school-specific forms by Nov 1

04 · Family deadline sheet

Every date in one place, sorted by the calendar.

Print this. Stick it on the fridge. The next 12 months at a glance.

Open live tracker →

Date

School

Plan

Nov 1, 25

Harvard

Decision release is mid-December.

Restrictive EA

Nov 1, 25

Michigan

Early Decision I

Nov 1, 25

Michigan

Early Action

Dec 1, 25

Pitt GAP

Deadline for consideration for University of Pittsburgh academic scholarships.

Merit priority

Jan 1, 26

Harvard

Decision release is by the end of March.

Regular Decision

Feb 1, 26

Harvard

For Restrictive Early Action applicants, the priority deadline for the FAFSA and CSS Profile is November 1, 2025.

FAFSA priority

Feb 1, 26

Harvard

CSS Profile

Feb 1, 26

Michigan

Regular Decision

Mar 1, 26

Michigan

Early Decision financial aid deadline is 2025-11-15. Suggested filing date for EA/RD is 2025-12-15.

FAFSA priority

Mar 1, 26

Michigan

CSS Profile

May 1, 26

Pitt GAP

Pennsylvania state deadline for FAFSA.

FAFSA priority

05 · Phases your plan covers

What you actually get with Complete Pathway.

0 of 5 phases included — nothing in the timeline is hidden.

Available with an upgrade

Week 1· Every plan starts here
Sophomore & Junior year — through May of junior year· Available in College Coaching & Complete Pathway
June 1 of rising-senior year → September 1· Every plan covers the rising-senior summer engine
September 1 → December 31 of senior year· Every plan covers senior fall submission season
January → May of senior year· Available in College Coaching & Complete Pathway

06 · Recommended engagement

AcceptED Complete Pathway

The plan that matches this student’s timeline and lift.

Reach-heavy list with BS/MD in the mix and enough runway left — Complete Pathway gives the multi-year arc and bundled savings.

Families who want multi-year, elite, concierge-level guidance from early high school through acceptance.

What’s included

18 1:1 coaching sessions
Senior Sprint cadence — strategy, execution, review
12 sessions with your Essay Coach
Common App + every supplement, unlimited reviews
Group coaching
Weekly live sessions with other families in program
SupportED University
AP office hours + 27 on-demand courses

Paid in full

$9,997

or $11,500 on payment plan

2+ years
Monthly → biweekly strategy sessions