As a college counselor, my job is to coach and mentor students throughout the process. I am not able to guarantee admission to any one college. The process includes college research, course selection information, application and essay assistance, resume creation, career and major exploration, summer program research, interview strategies and tips as well as NCAA and recruitment advice (if needed). Our first meeting is called the “strategy meeting” and is with student and parent. From the meeting, we determine the needs of the student and create a plan to follow as well as answer any questions. After the first meeting, the time is usually spent with the student only, but parents are welcome to join at any time. Students and parents will have access to the college counselor through individual meetings, phone calls and email.  

Career Counseling 

• Research majors, interests, skills, and aptitudes using online assessments.  Discussion about assessment results, personality type, talents, aptitudes and how they can relate to careers and college majors.
• Advise students on potential internships, job shadows, or work experiences that can clarify assessment results.

Extracurricular and Community Involvement 

• Coach students on choosing a balanced activity list that can highlight and emphasize interests and will help define leadership opportunities as well as personal rewarding experiences.
• Develop, shape, and build activity resume that can be used within the college application.
• Assistance with summer opportunities and summer planning.

Academic Course Selection / College exploration 

• Review and advise on course selection and monitor school progress so students can highlight interests and capitalize on academic strengths.
• Begin discussions regarding the college lists as well as the right “college fit” for the student in reference to the academic profile.
• SAT/ACT testing strategy and determination of test optional colleges.
• Test prep information.
• Support and recommend tutoring if needed.

College Counseling 

• Assistance with college list creation.  
• Essay topic exploration:  Discussions about essay topics, supplemental questions, and school-specific questions.
• Prepare schedule for application due dates, determine, and discuss schools that require interviews, preparation of process of asking for letters of recommendation, begin working on basics of college applications (using Common Application or Coalition Application). Exploration of early decision, early action, and regular decision options.
• Determine college visit schedule and informative questions for tours.
• College interview preparation:  Practice interview skills, mock interview simulations and practice questions and situations.
• NCAA recruitment and eligibility process support.
• Advisement on how “demonstrated interest” impacts college admission.
• Scholarship research including merit scholarships, and assistance with scholarship applications.
• Financial Aid support and FAFSA guidance.