1. COLLEGE COUNSELING LOOKING FORWARD
Grades 9, 10, 11 Parents
November 14, 2017

2. Goals of College Counseling
Help students assess educational and extra- curricular goals and abilities.
Help students find the best “match” for their goals, interests, and values.
Introduce useful resources to families.
Advise students on the college application process.

3. Current State of Admissions
The cost of college: impact on admissions, financial aid, college experience
Enrollment strategies: January start, deferred enrollment, General Studies, study abroad, etc.
High volume of ED/EA applications
Gap year
Coalition Application

4. Current State of Admissions
Increase in students taking ACT
De-emphasis on SAT subject tests
August SAT added (January no longer offered)
July ACT added
Test optional schools continue to grow

5. What can you do now? Grades do matter!!
Challenging but not overwhelming courses
Get to know your teachers
Find/sustain a passion
Athletic/Arts preparation
Read! Read! Read!
Use summers productively
Visit some colleges

6. Campus Visits The more a student can see, the better.
Start locally (Boston, New England).
Visit a range of colleges (size, location, academics).
Initially, don’t worry much about selectivity.
For younger students, keep it low-key.
Consult College Counseling Handbook for more information about visiting colleges.

7. CWRA (9th) College and Work Readiness Assessment
To assess the efficiency of the school program, not the strength of a student
Performance task based
Measures problem solving skills, writing effectiveness and mechanics, critical thinking, analysis, scientific and quantitative reasoning, etc.

8. PSAT (10th and 11th) Evidence based reading and writing; math
For practice (SAT)
For diagnosis of strengths & weaknesses
Scholarship qualification
Scores available electronically 12/11-12/13

9. College Planning Resources
Accessible to all PSAT-takers.
Interactive score report with answer explanations
Personalized SAT preparation through khanacademy.org/sat
College and Career-Planning Tools

10. For Freshmen Focus on Schoolwork
Develop strong study skills and habits
Find the appropriate level of courses
Experiment with activities
Read!
College counseling class in September

11. For Sophomores
Workshops conducted in the early Spring by College Counselors cover the following:
 Naviance Family Connection accounts & their function
 Preview of college application process (or “what colleges are seeking in the application process”)
 Exploration of career opportunities
Standardized testing: Consider taking SAT Subject test in
Math 1 - if finished geometry
ACT Practice test (optional): December 3 at Thayer

12. Naviance Welcome Screen

13. Road Trip Nation

14. Resume

15. Occupational Outlook Handbook

16. For Juniors College counseling meeting for parents: Jan. 4, 6 p.m.
Meetings with students start in January
Small groups & Individual conferences
Naviance Family Connection accounts
Summit Educational Group – ACT & SAT prep options offered on campus (mailing to arrive in late November)
Revolution Prep – ACT & SAT prep options online
ACT Practice test (optional) – December 3rd at Thayer
College fair – Milton Academy, April 22nd, 12:30 p.m.

17. Testing Options and Timeline
For Juniors:
SAT: March, May, June
ACT: February, April, June, July
SAT Subject Tests: May, June
(math I or 2, U.S. history, sciences,
foreign language, English literature)

18. Resources for Parents & Students
Thayer Academy College Counseling Handbook
Website (
Twitter:
broadcasts and Tiger News Network
College Websites
Guidebooks
College visitors in College Counseling Office (not to conflict with classes)
Visit college campuses
Contact the college counselors!