Academic and College Counseling

Fall semester

• During the first semester, freshmen are registered for Naviance with the goal to introduce students to the software so they can familiarize themselves with the available features that include:
  • initial thoughts about college preferences
  • personality type profile
  • learning style inventory to discover an individual's learning and working style
• Students are invited to attend the academy's annual College Fair and take the practice SAT (PSAT) test.

Spring semester

• Students begin meeting individually with counselors to review course selections for the following academic year in addition to updating their four-year graduation plan.

Fall semester

• Sophomores are invited to attend the academy's annual College Fair and take the practice SAT (PSAT) test.
• Students are assembled into small groups for Sophomore Seminars with the goal to discuss factors impacting college admissions decisions, including course selection, grades, extra-curricular activities, and community service. These small groups focus on the following:
  • a four-year graduation plan with course selections to meet graduation requirements
  • reassess and update profile and checklist in Naviance
  • review college search, college lookup, maps, enrichment programs, and resources
  • introduce test prep information for both the ACT and SAT tests

Spring semester

• Students meet individually with counselors to review course selections for the following academic year.

Fall Semester

• Juniors are invited to attend the academy's annual College Fair and take the PSAT (NMSQT) test.
• Parents and students are invited to attend an evening financial aid seminar.

Spring Semester

• Juniors take the official ACT and/or the SAT during school hours.
  • For a list of test dates, visit: www.actstudent.org or www.sat.collegeboard.org 

• Students meet individually with counselors for their junior credit check conference. These conferences focus on the following:
  • finalize course selections for the senior year of high school
  • assess prospective colleges and begin the process of narrowing choices
  • confirm registration for the ACT and/or SAT
  • review test preparation options for the ACT and SAT focusing on Naviance Test Prep
  • reiterate college visit best practices and procedures
• Students are invited to Junior Seminars in small group settings with their counselor with the goal to create a prospective college list utilizing College Search, College Lookup, College Match, and College Compare. Discussion of these sessions focus on the following:
  • test preparation options for ACT, SAT,  Naviance 
  • College visit best practices and procedures

Fall Semester

• Counselors meet with seniors in their English classes to review the college application process and prepare students to begin college applications.
• Counselors provide students with checklists to guide them through the application process. These items include the following:
  • a list of prospective colleges: a college must be in the student's list before requesting a transcript to that college or university
  • resume uploaded to Naviance
  • awareness of the two types of applications:
    • the prospective college's own application
    • www.commonapp.org
  • trick or treat deadline: encouragement to submit at least one application by October 31
  • transcript requests
  • counselor recommendation letters
  • teacher recommendation letters
  • test scores requests
  • scheduled visit from a representative from the prospective college
• Students are invited to attend the academy's annual College Fair providing students the opportunity to interact with 80 or more colleges and universities.
• CSS/Financial Aid Profile is available in October.
• FAFSA is available in October.
• Students are encouraged and guided to apply for scholarships.

Spring Semester

• Students are encouraged and guided to continue to apply for scholarships.
• May 1 deadline for students to notify the college of choice regarding the acceptance of an offer of admission. Students must withdraw all other applications.

A transcript is a record of all high school courses, grades, and credits for a particular student. Other information that might be included on a transcript includes GPA, class rank, standardized test scores, and courses in progress. Typically, the transcript is sent directly from the high school to the college.

Testing agencies send the student's scores to the student's requested colleges.

College Board - How Colleges Use Standardized Tests

The student is responsible for completing an application form and submitting it by the college deadline. Many schools accept applications directly to their institution through their website or thru various application programs, such as the Common Application, the Coalition Application, or the Universal College Application. No matter what school or what application, these may be important components:

• personal and educational data: name, address, phone number, email, citizenship and residency information, high schools attended, college credits earned, parental information, senior year schedule, and standardized test scores
• honors and awards
• extracurricular, personal, and volunteer activities
• employment, internships, and summer activities: Some colleges allow the student to submit a résumé to supplement the activity section of the application.
• essays: Both short answer and a longer personal essay are sometimes required.
• disciplinary information
• application fee: Many colleges will accept fee waivers which can be obtained from the academy academic and college counselor.
• For certain majors, students might be required to audition or be asked to submit a portfolio of artistic work.

If required, the academy is responsible for submitting this form to the college. However, the student needs to request that the form be sent. 
 

If required, the academy is responsible for submitting this form to the college. However, the student needs to request that it be sent. 

If required, this form will be submitted by the academy. However, the student must request that it be sent. The purpose of the form is for the college to see the student's grades from the first term of senior year.
 

If required, the teacher is responsible for sending this evaluation. However, the student is responsible for asking a teacher to complete the form and giving that teacher all the necessary information. Look over the Common Application Teacher Evaluation form and imagine what one of your teachers would say about you. Colleges want to hear from teachers who know you well and can share examples of your work ethic, inquisitive nature, and motivation to learn.

Letter of recommendation from teachers, school counselors, and other sources can help college admissions officers get a more complete picture of applicants. A teacher’s recommendation helps to personalize the application by telling the story of how the student engages in the classroom. Similar to the personal essay, a letter from a teacher should bring the application to life and speak directly to academic potential, character, and how the student is viewed as a member of the school community. 

Other recommenders are individuals that have worked with the student outside of school. These recommenders can provide context around hobbies, passions, and other responsibilities. The other recommender types available in the Common Application are arts teacher, clergy, coach, college access counselor, employer, family member, peer, or other.