College Counseling Update for Junior Families & Students| March 2019

Greetings! College Counseling e-newsletters are the primary way we share information with families about the college process. (You can view January's newsletter here and expect another in mid-April.)

- Courtney Hatch Blauvelt, Director of College Counseling



What Happens During College Counseling?

  • College Advisory Group Classes: Our juniors have been in once-a-week College Counseling classes since January's long weekend and will continue until just after spring break.
  • One-on-one meetings: Sarah Virden and I have been scheduling and holding our first one-on-one counseling appointments with juniors. We meet with each junior at least three times this spring, and more if possible.
  • Family Conversations: Sarah Virden and I will offer a family meeting this spring (whether in-person, phone, or virtually). We have differing availability. Check who your child's counselor is here. Please be in touch directly.

College Counseling Classroom Work and Spring Break Homework

We've planned six, 50-minute classes to review the basics of applying for college admissions. Below is an overview of the first three classes, including expectations for students and families over spring break.

Week 1: Vocabulary & College Research

Summary: Students should know the meaning of "liberal arts" and the fact that there are no absolutely clear distinctions between a "college" or "university" - only generalizations. Students also should become familiar with how to research schools online, as well as the benefits and negatives of different sources. Materials reviewed include the following:

Week 2: What Admissions Looks For

Summary: Nothing 100% guarantees acceptance to any school. Each school looks for specific "holes" to fill in their student body from year-to-year in terms of strengths, interests, and diversity, which are impossible to predict. All colleges expect students to be academically eager and prepared, as well as genuinely involved in activities outside the classroom. Test scores are still important at most highly selective schools, but more schools every year are going "test-optional", meaning students don't have to submit SAT or ACT scores. For more on testing, see below section on Expectations for Spring Break.
Week 3: Technology, Organization, & Tools

Summary: The college admissions process relies heavily on a student managing huge amounts of electronic information. A wide range of colleges and universities relentlessly market to an even wider range of students. MHS College Counseling can help a bit, but it's vital that students and families understand their responsibilities and are prepared to manage this aspect of the process.

Expectations for Students and Families Over Spring Break
  1. Please review the entire College Counseling Contract and sign it. The student and one parent/guardian will sign it, and return to the college counselor to sign. Contact me with any questions about the contract.
  2. Agree on a plan to take the ACT or SAT at least once this spring, and consider taking a final SAT or ACT over the summer, as opposed to fall senior year. The student should register on their own or with Sarah Virden. See the SAT and ACT schedule here. See below for free practice options.
  3. Talk to your family about visiting colleges or universities this summer. This is especially important if you haven't visited any yet. Even if you aren't sure you're interested in a particular school, it's still valuable to understand how tours work and what Admission "lingo" is used.
  4. If finances will play a factor for your family, complete "Net Price Calculators" for at least three different schools. These are basically a customized financial aid estimator that every U.S. school is required to have. It is vital to understand what to expect financially before fixating on specific schools.
SAT/ACT Low Cost and Free Practice Options

Miss Hall's School recommends the following options available for our students to further enhance SAT and ACT skills.

  1. Utilize free practice resources in Ms. H's office, and online through Khan Academy, a College Board Partner. Method Test Prep also has free practice resources that I have emailed students about - here is a copy of the first email I sent.
  2. The College Board has free practice resources on their website, as well as the ACT organization.
Final Note: College Admissions In the News

In the last week, the college admissions process has made major headlines. The Miss Hall's School College Counseling department firmly stands behind supporting our students with integrity, honesty, and compassion.

These newsletters are just one way we aim to be as transparent as possible with students and families about exactly what admissions offices consider when reviewing applicants.

Our thorough college counseling process provides ongoing, personalized support to students as they navigate the increasingly complex world of U.S. college admissions in order to find the best future educational home for themselves. I welcome any further conversation with families about our own process as well as the wider U.S. admissions landscape. You can contact me at chatchblauvelt@misshalls.org, or (413) 395-7047.