College Counseling Update for Junior Families & Students| May 2019

Greetings! College Counseling e-newsletters are the primary way we share information with families about the college process. (You can view the March newsletter here and expect additional communication in summer.)

- Courtney Hatch Blauvelt, Director of College Counseling



What Have Juniors Done in College Counseling?

  • One-on-one meetings: Sarah Virden and I have continued one-on-one counseling appointments with juniors. We met with each junior at least three times this spring, and more, if possible.
  • Family Conversations: We're offering family meetings, whether in-person, by phone, or virtually. Ms. Virden and I have differing availability. Check who your child's counselor is here. Please be in touch directly.
College Counseling Class & Individual Work

We planned six 50-minute classes to review the basics of applying for college admissions, which the juniors completed after spring break. Click here for a PDF overview of all the materials covered.

In the previous newsletter I summarized the first three classes. Below is an overview of the last three classes, as well as what we are doing now in individual meetings.

Week 4: Rankings & SCOIR online tool

Summary: Rankings are one tool of many to help students decide where to apply. It's important to closely examine each ranking methodology to determine what is measured and prioritized -- usually it is "reputation," as measured by biased higher education administrators, and accrued institutional wealth. Academic quality is usually secondary. Students were introduced to the website and phone app called SCOIR, where they should maintain a college list in partnership with their college counselor. SCOIR also serves as a great college research tool (alongside the College Board "Big Future" website).
Week 5: Applications, Activities, & Teacher Recommendations

Summary: We reviewed the range of college application types and deadlines. Many Early Decision (binding) and Early Action (non-binding) deadlines are November 1st through December 1st. Many Regular Decision deadlines are January 1 through February 15, though there are certainly later deadlines. The main application in the U.S. is the Common Application, but some schools use their own individual application processes. Students were asked to review the resume they created in Horizons in the context of their college application. They were also given information on asking for teacher recommendations.
Week 6: Common Application & Personal Statement/Essay

Summary : Students created their Common App accounts and were led through completing educational information. They were introduced to the "College Essay Guy"s free online resources, including brainstorming exercises and various unique examples of essays that helped students get accepted.

Individual Meetings

During individual college counseling meetings, Sarah Virden and I are getting to know students more in depth, which includes helping them develop and articulate preferences for their future educational home. We've discussed and helped schedule SAT, ACT, and TOEFL tests. We're suggesting specific schools to consider, which we add to their SCOIR online list, but we also encourage their own active research with the online tools and books we've discussed in class. We emphasize narrowing down to a balanced college list, with a range of academic and financial probabilities and possibilities.

Other Highlights

  • College Tours: On May 9th, juniors chose one of five nearby schools to visit -- UMass Amherst (pictured below), Union College, Williams College, Mount Holyoke College, and Bennington College
  • English class curriculum: Dr. Julie Schutzman and Monica Kirschman are currently helping the juniors learn, interpret, and practice their own personal narrative style writing. This is the writing style colleges want in the 650 word personal statement essay, which is required of the majority of U.S. institutions.
Realities of Financing College
  1. If finances will play a factor for your family, complete "Net Price Calculators" for each school you're seriously considering. These are customized financial aid estimators that every U.S. school is required to have. It is vital to understand what to expect financially before fixating on specific schools. For international families, they may be less accurate, but it helps to convert and input your income and assets as U.S. Dollars.
  2. Ms. H's background is in college financial aid, and I don't mind answering any family's questions, regardless of who the student has as a counselor.
  3. Ms. H created a 2-page summary to help families think about affordability and financing (linked below). An incredibly concise article that covers many of these issues is "11 Misconceptions About Paying for College" from The Washington Post.

Summer Expectations: A To-Do List

When students leave for the summer, first and foremost we want them to rest, relax, and rejuvenate! But we know many students are going to be busy with summer programs, work, travel, and family obligations. In order to ensure a smooth college application season in the fall, we're asking for students to do the following:
  1. Complete their personal statement/essay draft (maximum 650 words) and be prepared to discuss with faculty and/or their college counselor.
  2. Finalize their testing plan in terms of whether they will take a final SAT or ACT in the summer, or fall. Click here for SAT dates and here for ACT dates.
  3. Hopefully visit a few college campuses over the summer.
  4. Complete the Common App to the best of their ability.
  5. Narrow down their college list to between 8 - 12 schools with a range of admission probability.
  6. Begin in-depth research of schools on their list to understand application policies, such as deadlines, whether they require official test scores, supplemental essay questions, interviews, etc. A PDF research template is here.
Free/Low Cost College Diversity Recruitment Programs
Many colleges and universities offer special overnight visit programs in fall to recruit students of diverse backgrounds. These are often free or low-cost and you have to submit an application for them in summer or early fall. 

Each school defines diversity differently. With the help of other college counseling professionals, I've compiled a list of programs and their preferred qualifications in terms of academics and background, including whether they allow international applicants.

If a student meets qualifications of a program, I highly encourage applications to a few of them - it's an excellent opportunity to experience a campus!

You can contact Courtney Hatch Blauvelt at chatchblauvelt@misshalls.org , or (413) 395-7047. I do not hold official summer work hours but I will be checking email and voicemail.

We hope everyone has an enjoyable summer!