The Lock In field guide
College planning,
made useful.
Clear answers for students and families—organized by what matters now, what can wait, and what to do next.
Featured · Essays
A college essay example, annotated: “A Few More Minutes”
Read a real-style personal statement about a foster dog, then see exactly why each part works—and how to find your own story.
October 14, 20266 min read
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Make the next decision smaller.
New guidance from Lock In
College planning
The college planning checklist that changes with every grade
What matters in 9th, 10th, 11th, and 12th grade—and what can safely wait.
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Testing
When should you take the SAT or ACT? Build a calm testing plan
Choose a test, a first date, and a backup date without letting prep take over high school.
7 min readRead
Activities
What counts as a meaningful extracurricular for college?
Jobs, family responsibilities, hobbies, clubs, and projects can all matter. Depth is the thread that connects them.
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