College Advising

Course Selection & 4 year high school planning, prior to starting 9th Grade

• In planning your high school program, you should know the subject & grade requirements of the college/university you might be interested in
• Learning Style Assessment
• Introduction to Standardized Testing
• Most students take the PSAT beginning in the 10th grade (although freshmen, and even middle schoolers, may be eligible to take the exam). The PSAT, the official precursor to the SAT, mirrors the SAT by testing students in three core areas: mathematics, reading comprehension, and writing/grammar. The PSAT is administered in mid-October.
• College Fairs
• College Visits – Day & Overnight Trips
• Find and participate in extracurricular activities & service opportunities
• Discussions between parents and students regarding college & career choices should begin now and continue through high school

During 10th grade, students should begin taking official steps toward applying & preparing for college admission, as the sophomore year is a period of transformation. Academic Advising Coaches at Flourish Counseling Center can highlight requirements for admission to each institution on your child’s list of potential colleges and universities. Flourish Counseling Center also will provide valuable information on topics like financial aid, college applications, different types of entrance exams, and other college planning guides. We can help your student consider schools that most closely match their career interests.

• Focus, Organization, & Striving towards Academic Excellence – On track to complete graduation requirements.
• Challenge yourself with the most rigorous classes you can handle
• Advise students on standardized testing including the PSAT, ACT, and SAT
• Interest & Career Assessments
• College Fair
• College Visits – Day & Overnight trips
• Participate in activities and service projects that are meaningful to you – Continue
• How will you choose a college? What is on your list: Location, tuition, programs of study, legacy status, college focus, etc.?
• Take a practice PSAT (Junior year is when it counts) – Consider it a trial run. According to the Princeton Review, relatively high scores may qualify students for a National Merit Scholarship or other financial aid awards
• Internships, job shadow, and visit schools (Summer)

Junior and Senior year is much more rigorous than Freshman & Sophomore Year. The more College-bound high school students accomplish during their junior year, the less pressure they feel as seniors.

• Begin College research process
• Advisement to discuss college selection process
• College Visits – Day & Overnight trips
• Study for and take the SAT and/or ACT exams and retake them if final scores seem inadequate
• Consider enrolling in at least one AP course or pursuing dual enrollment opportunities at local colleges
• Continue exploring and narrowing down college choices,
• Begin writing essays
• Create college only email address
• Contact colleges
• Research financial aid: scholarships, grants, loans and other options for paying for college (ongoing during school year & Summer)
• Internships, job shadow, and visit schools (Summer)
• Students should complete volunteer services, community service projects, and internships by the summer prior to senior year if the student wishes to include these experiences on their college applications.

12th Grade is an eventful and exciting time for students! Senior year is a milestone in a young person’s life as they prepare for their future. There are still many steps for students to complete in order to prepare for college the following year.

Students are strongly encouraged to submit applications to their “top school choices” at the early application deadline, even while the application deadline for most schools takes place the following spring.

At some colleges & universities, a higher percentage of early applicants are accepted, according to the U.S. Department of Education. There are different application requirements at every college & university. BE PREPARED AND HAVE YOUR APPLICATION MATERIALS READY:

• Official High School Transcript
• Official SAT/ACT scores
• College application form requirements (name, address, social security # , & high schools attended)
• Extracurricular Activities
• Student Recognitions
• Contact information for previous employers & volunteer coordinators
• Personal Essay and/or Written Statement of Intent
• Application fee
• Ready to submit Samples or Portfolios – for certain colleges or major programs
• Secondary school report – from the High School Counselor
• Mid-Year Report Form – (may be requested after admission has been granted)
• Letters of Recommendation – from teachers, coaches, youth leaders, pastors, or other non-relative adults who have spent time with the student

• Create a separate email address to utilize your search
• READ/USE the studentscholarshipsearch.com – matches your strengths & talents to scholarships
• Organize and keep a list of all the scholarships you apply for
• Let your College Financial Counselor know what scholarships you receive
• Do NOT pay to complete a grant or scholarship application