February 2, 2023
Dear Upper School Families,
We are officially past the halfway mark of our academic year! Seniors have submitted their applications and are waiting to hear back, while they are hard at work on their senior theses. Juniors have started the process of searching for colleges, and are starting to work on collecting their application materials. Sophomores will soon begin their initial College Counseling meetings to discuss the importance of junior year and AP course options. (If sophomore parents have not yet signed up, they can do so here.) Freshmen have just heard from Academics and College Counseling about course selection and the landscape of their high school years.
There's a lot to think about, especially considering how much the landscape of college admissions has changed - and continues to do so. Whether your daughter is in the midst of the college process, or it is still a ways away, I want to highlight some information to keep in mind as we head into the spring semester.
Financial Planning for College
On average, tuition tends to increase about 8% per year. An 8% college inflation rate means that the cost of college doubles about every nine years. Planning for these expenses has become essential. Navigating the savings and paying path has become more complicated. Some families have children attending college next year, and others have years to plan, but the fears of tackling these monumental and rising costs are the same. The College Funding Coach is here to help families figure out HOW to pay for it and still retire one day. SAVE THE DATE: March 2, 2023 at 7:00pm - this is information you can't afford to miss! *This event will be helpful to both Middle School and Upper School parents.*
Planning for Summer
While I hope that you are able to spend some time this summer resting and recharging, seeing friends and family, traveling, and getting some much-needed sunshine, if you are looking for some productive ideas to fill your free time, here are some things to consider:
- Part-time jobs (can include babysitting or working at a summer camp)
- Internships or job shadowing in a career area of interest
-
Summer pre-college programs - see here for some great options
- College visits (you can even start locally if you are just getting started)
Don't worry, there is no need to plan out every moment of your summer vacation. But if college is on the horizon, this is a great opportunity to spend time enjoying an activity and participating in something that you are passionate about and that brings you joy!
College Visits
If you are considering when to visit college campuses, the spring is a great time. For seniors, many colleges will offer admitted student days and programs throughout the month of April. For sophomores and juniors, traditional tours, information sessions, and prospective student open house events will be available throughout the spring and summer. The spring offers you the chance to see the campus in action and observe the student body, while the summer may be a bit slower and quieter, with not as many students around - both visits are valuable to help you get a sense of the campus environment and surrounding area. If you are interested in scheduling a tour, most colleges have a Campus Visit page on their admissions website where you can register.
Standardized Testing
Though many colleges remain test optional (meaning students have the choice to submit test scores or not), I still recommend sitting for either the SAT or ACT (or both) at least once. The best time to sit for your first standardized test is the spring of junior year (March, April, May), which allows you the opportunity to test again if you choose.
All Oakcrest students take the PSAT (practice test) in the fall of their sophomore and junior year, and we offer an optional mock ACT in the fall as well. These practice tests allow you to get a sense of the test, see if you like one or the other, and provide a baseline for potential scores in a no-pressure environment. If you have any questions about standardized testing, please feel free to reach out. Click here for more information or to register for the SAT, and here to register for the ACT.
As we forge ahead into the second semester, it is important to remember the following virtues when applied to College Counseling:
Kindness. You never know what someone is going through, or the way a smile and "how are you?" can make someone's day. While facing the dreary winter days that seem to go on forever is challenging, I encourage you to look for opportunities to be kind - to others and to yourself.
Diligence. We are halfway through the school year, and it can be tough to carry on. While it can be a challenge, your hard work is fostering a sense of independence and responsibility, developing a growth mindset, and creating a love of learning that will undoubtedly benefit you in college and beyond.
Gratitude. As you step onto Oakcrest's campus each day, I hope you are filled with a sense of gratitude for the support you receive from your family, friends, classmates, and teachers.
I wish you all a fantastic February! I am available for in-person meetings or calls should you have any questions or concerns.
Best,
Jessica DeVera
Director of College Counseling
