Guiding Students Towards College Success

For many students, the college application process can often feel overwhelming due to harsh deadlines and the difficult decision of committing to a school. Some students aren't even sure how to start the multi-step procedure. Thankfully, here at the high school, the counseling department contributes by playing a vital role in helping students navigate the various steps of the application process. Through different seminars, programs, and resources, counselors ensure that each student is comfortable in each step from the new high school experiences to the final college decisions.

The high school's college and career counselor, Ms. Anne Davis, advises students to approach the college process gradually. She explains that the ninth grade class should focus on having a smooth transition and having a strong foundation during freshman year. In tenth grade, students start exploring different paths and figuring out what they are passionate about.

By junior year, the college process starts to become more structured. Davis recommends that students in eleventh grade should start having thoughtful conversations about college by late fall to early winter. To help juniors build a better focus on college, the high school hosts programs such as the Junior College Night, and Junior Seminars that will take place early winter.

As senior year approaches, counselors guide students through the application process by revising essays and keeping track of the many deadlines. Davis advises students to get a lot of the college application work done before senior year. She says, "I encourage kids to get as much done in terms of the application work during the summer [between junior and senior year]. I am a real big believer [that] you only get one senior year, so I hope you can make the most of it and do the fun stuff. So, if you get a lot of the work done in the summer, then that year you can really be in the moment and enjoy your friends and create those memories."

All in all, the high school's counseling department continues to assist students through the college process. Though it's an important part of high school, students shouldn't feel intimidated by college because supportive counselors are there to help. By offering advice, support, and encouraging students to pursue their own paths, counselors help students embrace the college application process as a journey of growth, not stress.