Four-Year Plan

We’re with you every step of the way

It is the dedicated role of the College Counseling Office to help our students and their families navigate the complex, dynamic, and ever-changing college admissions landscape, from standardized testing and preparing a list of schools to visiting college campuses, completing applications and writing essays.

The college search process is a nuanced and individual one, however, there are certain steps that all students typically take along the way.

9th Grade

Settling In

Unpack your room and take a deep breath. Start making lifelong friends.
Embrace our Freshman Program. Learn about tools and support that allow you to be the strongest student you can be.
Commit to always learning pursuing academic excellence.
Build your study habits.
Pursue new interests. Step out of your comfort zone.
Partner with your advisor to build an appropriately challenging academic schedule for your sophomore year.

10th Grade

Building Purpose

Commit to being the best version of yourself in the classroom and across our campus. Your GPA and campus involvement are key components of your college application.
Ensure that your academic schedule is purposeful and aligned with your personal narrative. This will set you apart.
Stay involved in your co-curriculars. Identify a few that mean the most to you and might be leadership opportunities to pursue in your future.
Consider taking the PSAT in October. It’s not sent to colleges, yet offers a glimpse into your strengths and challenges for future standardized tests.
Attend College Counseling events on campus to begin understanding the composition of a college application.
Research some colleges and start exploring what type of schools might be the right fit for you.

11th Grade

Own YourJourney

Your college search process formally begins with the assignment of a College Counselor in the fall.
Juniors take the PSAT in October and a practice ACT in December. ACT and SAT tests are offered on campus in the Winter and Spring Terms.
Join your family to hear from our College Counseling team at Family Weekend in October.
Identify co-curricular areas of interest and pursue a few of them with greater conviction than ever before.
Students begin 1-1 meetings with College Counselors during the Winter Term.
Parents join 1-1 meetings with students and counselors during the Spring Term.
College Counselors present a list of colleges for consideration during the winter and again in June.
Attend college fairs and meet with any of the 100 college representatives visiting our campus.
Select two teachers to write recommendations for you.

12th Grade

Ready For What’s Next

Participate biweekly in our College Seminar class, where our team will guide you through the application process.
Our College Essay Workshop is here to help you with all of your writing requirements.
Finalize a personal statement that will allow you to stand out. Showcase your interests and passions in a concise and compelling manner.
Customize your supplemental essays for each college — another way we help you to stand out with your application.
Consider taking the ACT or SAT again so that you can Superscore your test if you plan to submit it with your application.
Review your college acceptances and make an enrollment deposit by May 1.