It’s hard to believe counselors will be talking with juniors about college right after we get back from December break. If you’re new to this, here’s a quick tour on making the most out of these 20-minute meetings:
Graduation requirements Greet the student, ask them how the team is doing, then make sure they will have what they need to leave next June. You like them, sure — but they can’t stay.
Class schedule Students need to stay challenged senior year, and colleges care about rigor. Make sure their schedule does both.
Summer plans Students don’t have to go to Harvard’s Summer program, but staying busy and engaged keeps the student sharp, curious, and focused. Students who have to work or help family out will do that a different way — and if they’re looking for something to do, try this list.
Testing SAT and ACT aren’t the must-dos they once were, but they still play a role for many students. Discussing plans for prep, and for taking the test, still matters — and if they plan on applying to a test-required college, taking the class in the summer may be a good idea.
Campus visits If college is in their future, visiting campus, feeling what the place really is about, is vital, and it’s better to do that in the fall. If summer is the only time they can go, that works. Here’s the way to build a great visit.
Why college? Yes, you likely only have 20 minutes, but 2-3 minutes exploring the bigger question of “What’s next?” gives your work more meaning. Sit back, ask the question, and listen.
Building a list Many college-eager students will already have a list in mind, and that’s great. Get the list, and make sure it has 2-3 colleges that are academically likely, 2 that are (relatively speaking) more affordable, and one that’s close to home, just in case. The rest of the list is up to their interests, as long as they know the expensive schools and the popular schools may not become realities. If they’re OK with that, so are you.
Deadlines Many students are applying early action-decision-single-choice, or interested in rolling admission colleges where applying in the fall is a must. If the student doesn’t know about deadlines, urge them to do the homework and build a spreadsheet.
Teacher letters I’m a fan of asking teachers for letters in the spring of junior year, so teachers can write letters over the summer — since they’re busy in the fall, doing, you know, teaching. Two academic teachers from junior year who know the student well does the trick.
Essays You can’t really do justice to essay writing in this meeting, but it’s worth sharing some general ideas. Colleges will ask questions that require specific answers, but many let the student pick. Ask the student “What story would you tell a college that shows them who you are — not tells them, but shows them?” That will get them on the right track.
Paying for college Students aren’t always candid about this, but you have to ask if they’ve had The Conversation with Mom and Dad, if only to remind them this is important. Point out the timeline for FAFSA, and talk about scholarship sites — although I’m not a big fan of them.
What’s going to make a great senior year? Their answer will, hopefully, have nothing to do with college, and more to do with life. That’s good.
What can I do to help you? College is part of life, but they already have a life. Finishing with this question reminds them of that.
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