College Counseling

All Meeting Conversations

In every Personal Advising meeting, we discuss the student’s academic, extracurricular, and personal goals, both in the short- and long-term. As we get to know the student, we always have the idea of “Better Person, Better Applicant” in mind, as we guide students toward more meaningful endeavors in and beyond the classroom that will result in personal fulfillment, a strengthened college application, and a healthier life balance.

10th Grade Semester 2

Hard to believe, but students are now nearly halfway through high school! This juncture presents an ideal moment for reflection, conversation, and a reminder of “Better Person, Better Applicant” — that despite pressures a student may feel, they should not build their life just around the prospect of college.

In this meeting, we:

• Discuss course selection for 11th grade. What classes should the student take? What is the right balance for Honors/AP rigor? What path do those classes put them on for the rest of high school?
• Chat about PSAT and PACT results (if applicable) and provide a brief overview of ideal testing timelines for the SAT and ACT
• Review extracurricular activities. What activities should the student plan to continue? What is not bringing them fulfillment and should they drop? How can they explore new opportunities and dive deeper into what is meaningful to them, during the school year and even the following summer?

If this is a student’s first High School/College Consulting meeting, we also:

• Provide a general timeline of checkpoints for the rest of high school.
• Discuss a student’s hopes, fears, and expectations for high school.
• Introduce the SAT and ACT — why do they matter in college admissions and for the student, what is test-optional, and why does taking diagnostic tests matter so much?

10th Grade Semester 1

10th grade is a pivotal year for students academically and personally—not to mention the PSAT/PACT are often offered in the fall, introducing students to standardized testing for college admissions.

In this meeting, we:

• Reflect on the student’s 9th grade experience and how to make 10th grade better
• Check in on academics: How is the student performing in their classes? What classes and topics most excite them?
• Introduce the SAT and ACT — why do they matter in college admissions and for the student, what is test-optional, and why does taking diagnostic tests matter so much?
• Review extracurricular activities. What activities should the student plan to continue? What is not bringing them fulfillment and should they drop? How can they explore new opportunities and dive deeper into what is meaningful to them, during the school year and even the following summer?

If this is a student’s first High School/College Consulting meeting, we also:

• Provide a general timeline of checkpoints for the rest of high school.
• Discuss a student’s hopes, fears, and expectations for high school.

9th Grade Semester 2

With freshman year coming to a close, this is the perfect time to reflect on the past year and have a conversation about how to make the most out of the rest of high school.

In this meeting, we:

• Discuss course selection for 10th grade. What classes should the student take? What is the right balance for Honors/AP rigor? What path do those classes put them on for the rest of high school?
• Review extracurricular activities. What activities should the student plan to continue? What is not bringing them fulfillment and should they drop? How can they explore new opportunities and dive deeper into what is meaningful to them?
• Talk about summer plans and how to have a meaningful and fun two months off from school.

If this is a student’s first High School/College Consulting meeting, we also:

• Provide a general timeline of checkpoints for the rest of high school, including a brief primer to the SAT, ACT, and AP tests.
• Discuss a student’s hopes, fears, and expectations for high school.

9th Grade Semester 1

With freshman year having begun, we want to check in on students. 9th grade is a time to explore curiosities in and outside of the classroom, and we are excited to hear how that is going.

In this meeting, we:

• Review how the adjustment to high school has gone so far.
• Talk about classes: how is the year going academically, what is exciting the student, and how is the work-life balance?
• Discuss extracurricular activities: In what ways does a student want to get more involved? What has been rewarding and what has not?

If this is a student’s first High School/College Consulting meeting, we also:

• Provide a general timeline of checkpoints during high school, including a brief primer to the SAT, ACT, and AP tests.
• Discuss a student’s hopes, fears, and expectations for high school.

8th Grade Semester 2

As 8th grade comes to a close, we want to ease concerns for students and their families by demystifying the transition to high school, providing an overview of the high school years, and having a meaningful conversation about how the student can have a personally enriching and exciting freshman year.

In this meeting, we:

• Provide a general timeline of checkpoints during high school, including a brief primer to the SAT, ACT, and AP tests.
• Discuss a student’s hopes, fears, and expectations for high school.
• Review course selection, including a conversation about the importance of rigor.
• Explain why extracurricular activities matter, then get to know the student so they can explore what piques their curiosity and dive deep into what matters to them.