This school year will be my 18th year in the college admission consulting field.

(Wow, I am getting old. ^^)

Every year, specifically in the fall, I meet many high school students who believe their dreams of east coast schools or ivy league admissions are over because they are a junior or senior and 

1. their 9th and 10th grades are not good 

AND/OR 

2. they haven't done enough extracurricular activities (ie. community service, school clubs, internships).

Well, all hope is not lost. DO NOT GIVE UP!!

Many colleges and universities understand that 9th grade is a transition year, which is why the UC's don't even count the 9th grade transcripts and 10th grade is called "sophomore slump" for a reason.

I had a student a couple of years ago who had 9 B's and even a C her junior year and she still got into Harvard AND Yale. Her scores were pretty good but not perfect. Her golden ticket was that she had a heart for foster children in Los Angeles and spent her junior year doing a service project that changed the lives of some kids. In addition, senior year 1st semester, she didn't give up and she worked hard and finally got straight A's. 

It's NEVER too late to start caring about the community or school. Don't just do things for college applications, but really think about what or who your child cares about and help them DO SOMETHING that makes an impact, no matter how small...and you will get great rewards, in admissions and in life.