1. College Counseling Looking forward
Grades 9, 10, 11 Parents
November 6, 2018

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 early applications (ED/EA)
Increase in students taking ACT
De-emphasis on SAT subject tests
Test optional schools

4. 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

5. 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.

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

7. CWRA (9th Grade) 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. For Sophomores Meetings with Advisors & College Counselors:
Naviance Family Connection accounts & their function
  Preview of college application process ( “what colleges are seeking in the application process”)
  Academic assessment & career exploration
Course planning
Making the most of Thayer opportunities
Academics, Arts, Athletics, Leadership, Service

9. Sophomores - Testing
ACT Practice test (optional): December 2nd at Thayer
PSAT results – available in December, take again as a junior
SAT Subject tests – maybe take Math 1 in June, if completed Geometry

10. PSAT (10th and 11th) Evidence based reading and writing
For practice (SAT)
For diagnosis of strengths & weaknesses
Scholarship qualification
Scores available electronically – the week of December 10th

11. 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

12. For Juniors College counseling meeting for parents: Jan. 8, 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 December)
Revolution Prep – ACT & SAT prep options online
ACT Practice test (optional) – December 2nd at Thayer
College fair – Milton Academy, April 28th, 12:30 p.m.

13. 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)

14. 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!