College Counseling

List of 4 items.

• Ninth Grade

  • Concentrate on doing well in school and on taking classes that challenge and interest you. Grades are the most important part of any college application.
  • Explore out-of-class and out-of-school interests. These include sports, school clubs, volunteer work, part-time jobs, religious activities, fine arts lessons/activities. Remember colleges like to see continual commitment to a core group of activities rather than a tenuous connection to numerous ones.
  • Start a folder of accomplishments (grade reports, awards, prizes, team memberships, leadership positions, jobs). Maintain this folder through the twelfth grade. It is invaluable when preparing a resume.
  • Meet by advisor group with the college counselors after winter break. Topics of discussion include the importance of grades and extracurricular participation in the college application process.
  • Meet with your academic dean to discuss your four-year high school plan.
  • Consult the college counselors if you have any questions.

   

• Tenth Grade

  • Continue to take courses that challenge and interest you.
  • Continue to focus on doing well in school. Grades remain the most important part of any college application.
  • Continue to explore outside of class interests with an eye towards leadership roles.
  • Take the PSAT at St. Andrew's in the spring. All sophomores are automatically registered for this exam.
  • Attend the Tenth/Eleventh Grade College Night in January.
  • Meet by advisor group with the college counselors after spring break. Topics of discussion include summer opportunities and a preview of the junior year.
  • Continue to meet with your academic dean to discuss your academic and extracurricular progress.
  • Consider summer visits to look at college campuses. Check out different types of colleges (small college versus large university, city school versus rural school, etc.); being in the DC metro area makes this easy to do. Consult with the college counselors for suggestions.
  • Explore summer opportunities. These include part-time jobs, community service projects, summer programs at colleges, or an internship. If you need suggestions or ideas, please consult the college counselors.
  • Consult the college counselors if you have any questions.

   

• Junior Year

  November: Concentrate on your schoolwork and your activities. The college search process begins in earnest after the first trimester. Gather material for a portfolio (drama, art, athletic, creative writing), if appropriate. Save your best (graded) papers, with teacher comments. Gather artwork for portfolio (if applicable). Junior Parent Coffee will take place in November December: Counselor assignments, College Questionnaires, and Meeting Request Forms are mailed home before winter break.   January: Junior Class College Night will take place in January. Introductory meeting with your college counselor. You must submit completed Student and Parent Questionnaires before the meeting can be scheduled. Begin researching the list of colleges provided by your college counselor. Look at the colleges’ websites. Talk to parents, friends and current college students. Begin creating a list of college traits that are important to you. Finalize standardized testing plan with your college counselor. Testing schedules will vary by student and will be discussed in the family college counseling meeting. If you plan to take the SAT or ACT in March, April, May, or June, begin preparations now. Feel free to consult with the college counselors about prep programs. Attend Junior Class meetings about the college search, selection, and admissions process.   February: Consider visiting colleges over the Presidents’ Day long weekend. Continue to meet with your academic dean to discuss your academic and extracurricular progress. Discuss your proposed senior year schedule with your academic dean and your college counselor. The ACT will take place in February.

  March: The SAT will take place in March (All juniors should consider sitting for the SAT in March. This will vary with each student and is part of the discussion with the college counselors at the student/family meeting.) If time and plans allow, schedule three or four college visits during spring break and other school holidays. Think about summer options: part-time jobs, community service, summer college programs, and internships. April: Independent School College Fair will take place in April The ACT will take place in April. Junior Class College Day at St. Andrew’s will place in April. Begin working on a college essay in English class.   May: Continue researching colleges. Before the end of May, have a follow up meeting with your college counselor to review your progress and findings. A second list of colleges to investigate often follows this meeting. The SAT will take place in May. AP Exams will take place in May.   June: The SAT will take place in June. The ACT will take place in June. Prepare for final exams and finish the year strongly.  July & August: Continue college visits, having interviews when appropriate. Keep accurate notes. Narrow choices to 12-16 colleges, including colleges in each category (Reach, Match, and Likely). Continue to write college essays, create a résumé and work on applications. Start completing college applications. Many college applications will be available online in early August. The College Counseling Office is open most of the summer. Please contact us if you have questions during the summer break.

  
  
  

   

• Senior Year

  All Year: Focus on doing your best in all of your classes. Trimester and Final Grades are the cornerstone of every college application. Be aware of deadlines for submitting “Transcript Request Forms” to the College Counseling Office. Deadlines are published every year in August to conform to the school year calendar.   August: Schedule a meeting with your college counselor to review progress. Begin to finalize your college list, which should contain 10-12 schools. The SAT will take place in August.   September: Senior Class College Night will take place in September Meet with admission representatives who visit St. Andrew’s. Attend DC area admission receptions held by colleges that interest you. Schedule college interviews, when appropriate. The ACT will take place in September. By mid-September: Decide which teachers you will ask for recommendations and discuss your request with them. Students should forward all recommendation materials to teachers at least 30 days before the application deadline. Choose essay topic(s) based on your college list and prepare essays. If Financial Aid is a concern, inform your college counselor to receive information. File the CSS Profile, where needed, for Financial Aid consideration.   October: By early October: Make decisions about Early Decision (ED) and Early Action (EA) applications. Arrange with College Board and/or ACT to release test scores for ED/EA colleges no later than October 1. Meet with admission representatives who visit St. Andrew’s. Attend DC area admission receptions held by colleges that interest you. The SAT will take place in early October. The ACT will take place mid to late October. Prepare ED/EA applications and continue to develop your college essay(s). Complete the FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) as soon as it becomes available.

  November: The SAT will take place in November. Meet with admission representatives who visit St. Andrew’s By early November: Complete your list of colleges with application due dates and give "Blue Sheets" and associated forms to the College Counseling Office. Arrange with College Board and/or ACT to release test scores to your colleges as soon as possible. Allow 2-3 weeks for official scores to reach your colleges from College Board or ACT. Submit your "rolling admission" applications by November 1 (if possible)   December: First trimester grades sent to colleges The SAT will take place in December. The ACT will take place in December. Inform your college counselor of any Early Decision or Early Action application admission decisions. Winter Break   January: Inform your college counselor of any Early Action application admission decisions.   February & March: Send thank you notes to the teachers who wrote your college recommendations. Revisit college campuses, if necessary.   April: Inform your college counselor of any Regular Decision admission decisions. Meet with your college counselor to discuss your options. Revisit college campuses, if necessary. Send “no thank you” emails to colleges that have accepted you but you are not choosing.   May: Send a deposit to the college of your choice by May 1. Celebrate your decisions. AP Exams   June: Graduation!