Foundational Planning for Freshmen & Sophomores
…doing the groundwork to set your child up for success
Step-by-step guidance for families of high school freshmen and sophomores who want to take advantage of these early years so their kid feels confident and prepared before college planning.
Foundational Planning is designed as an add-on to Comprehensive College Planning, giving your family a head start during freshman and sophomore year, then seamlessly transitioning into college work when junior year arrives.
High school moves fast. And if your freshman or sophomore coasts through these years without any direction, junior year will hit hard. Suddenly there’s talk about college, friends and family wondering what your child will major in, and decisions about testing and coursework that feel like they should've started months ago.
Parents who've been through this will tell you the same thing: having that extra time and breathing room for their child to explore who they are and what they value is priceless. Add the confidence of taking the right classes before it’s too late and they feel truly prepared for the college process.
The conversations about majors, courses, and "what do you want to do" don't have to wait until it feels urgent.
Most parents assume that freshman and sophomore year don't really matter — that the "real" planning starts way later, so until then, it's fine to just let things happen.
But the courses your child takes now, the activities they get involved in, and even the conversations you're having about majors and interests are shaping what their college applications will eventually looks like.
The difference with Rooted College Planning is that every step during these early years is built around your teenager: their strengths, their interests, and where they’re headed.
Instead of waiting until junior year to start exploring, start now. Instead of wondering if your kid is on the right track and making the right decisions, know they are.
You'll have a personalized plan with Zoom support for your kid, so by the time junior year arrives and you’re diving into the Rooted Method as a family, you're not starting from scratch. You're already halfway there.
“Working with Carly was one of the best decisions we have made for our kids. She made what could have been an overwhelming process feel manageable and even exciting! Carly gave us expert support!!”
— Amy, ‘23, ‘25, ‘26 Parent
A year or two from now, your kid can be walking into junior year already knowing what they're interested in, what their strengths are, and what they're working toward. But we've got to start NOW.
Picture your kid sitting down for that first junior year planning conversation already having a head start — because they've spent freshman and sophomore year exploring, growing, and figuring out who they are.
And a few years after that, picture them walking onto a campus move-in day knowing, really knowing, they're in the right place.
That's what this process looks like when you start early.
The families who get the most out of this process start now while there's time to explore, build good habits, and lay the groundwork without any pressure or deadlines.
I'm Carly, the founder of Rooted College Planning and a Certified Educational Planner. Before starting Rooted College Planning, I spent my career working inside college admissions and enrollment offices, which means I understand how colleges make decisions, how financial aid works, and what families need to know that nobody's telling them.
I created Rooted because I kept seeing the same thing: smart, involved parents who felt completely lost — not because they weren't trying, but because the process is genuinely complicated and nobody hands you a roadmap. So I built one.
If you're ready to stop guessing and start planning, you're in the right place.
Foundational Planning is designed to help teenagers explore their strengths, interests, and goals — so when junior year arrives, they're ready to make confident decisions instead of starting from scratch.
We'll make sure freshman and sophomore years are spent wisely: building good habits, exploring majors and careers, and getting on the right academic track.
And when junior year comes, Foundational Planning flows directly into Comprehensive College Planning powered by the Rooted Method — the proven framework that helps families build a college list, submit strong applications to 6+ great fit schools, and make a final decision with confidence.
The result is a teen who enters junior year with momentum, moving all the way through to a college they truly want to attend.
“Before we worked together, I did not know my interests or where I wanted to apply. You helped me in so many ways, including understanding myself better with my interests, values, and what I may apply to do in college. My favorite part about working together was the great communication and how straight-forward you were with me. There was a process to everything that we did, and I felt that everything was effective towards the end goal.”
— Maggie, ‘26 Student
Here's how Foundational Planning with Rooted College Planning works!
We start with a College Clarity Call to ensure I can help you and your child meet their goals. Then, we dive in:
Academic & Extracurricular Planning
So your kid is taking the right courses, building a transcript that reflects their strengths, and making the most of summers rather than having regrets after the fact.
Career & Major Exploration
So your kid has real exposure to what’s out there and what they might want to study and do, instead of guessing when it's time to pick a major.
Setting the Stage for Junior Year
So your kid walks into junior year with good habits, clear goals, and a head start — and you have someone to turn to with questions long before the college process officially begins.
Bonus: College Planning Workbook
A customized, data-rich spreadsheet that tracks your kid's progress, goals, exploration, courses, and test results — all in one place, always up to date.
“Carly helped us break down the college process into small, manageable pieces. It helped our daughter stay engaged without feeling overwhelmed. And as a result, she had time to create a quality application for all the schools she applied for. I'm glad I could let go and have our daughter work directly with you. She felt more comfortable discussing her work with you and we knew she was going to produce a better qualify application than if she was working with us. Parents, don't hesitate. It’s so worth it - both financially and emotionally!”
— Lynn, ‘24 & ‘26 Parent
With foundational planning to prepare for the college process, everything you need — the tools, the resources, and the support — is already built and waiting for you so you don’t have to spend time figuring out the process.
Rooted College Planning students and families get all of this:
🌿 6-8 1:1 Zoom calls with student to make progress on action items and deadlines (and come junior year, calls are unlimited)
🌿 Personalized online College Planning Workbook - a customized, data-rich spreadsheet - for student to keep track of goals, test results, colleges, deadlines, application progress, action items, resources, and more
🌿 Personalized Parent Companion Workbook, complementing the student workbook so you can keep track of their progress along the way
🌿 Resource library to cover topics like campus visits, college readiness, and email expectations
🌿 Email and text message access to Carly throughout the process
A personalized plan for your child to build the foundation for college applications (and eventually nail those applications!) and for you to feel confident in the process.
The Investment
Foundational Planning + Comprehensive College Planning*: $8650
This includes everything — every meeting, every essay review, every application, every question — from as early as August 1 of freshman year through June 15 following senior year.
There are many payment options available we can discuss on your College Clarity Call.
A College Clarity Call is the first step to working together. It helps me understand your child’s goals and helps you understand how I can guide your family to college decisions.
*Foundational Planning is only offered as an add-on to Comprehensive College Planning
This is for you and your family if…
🌿 Your child is a high school freshman or sophomore who plans to go to college and has interest in planning ahead
🌿 Your child is willing to show up, do the work, and trust the process, and you’re willing to support them every step of the way
🌿 You want your kid to find a college that's genuinely the right fit, not just a recognizable name
This isn't for you if…
🌿 You're looking for someone to do it all for your kid (this process requires an engaged student)
🌿 You've already made up your mind about where your child is going to college and just want someone to help them get in
🌿 Your child is a junior or about to end their sophomore year (if that’s the case, check out Comprehensive College Planning!)
This is one of the biggest decisions your family will make, and you don't have to navigate the process alone. Let's take the next step together and get your kid on the path to the right college.