Counseling for Seniors

By the end of a student's Junior year, a college applicant's profile is largely established, particularly for the substantial number of qualified students who choose to seek early admission. But whether the student decides to seek early or regular admission, there is still a great deal that a student, parents, and a college counselor can do to highlight a student's strengths and improve the student's profile as a compelling college applicant.

Our trademark is our comprehensive, strategic, and structured approach throughout the college process. While we believe in long-range planning, we also know how important it is to review and revise those plans at the start of Senior year.

We gather current, accurate information on college admissions statistics and profiles, so we can help our clients select the best matches and identify a first choice, when appropriate. We then tailor a comprehensive strategy to highlight each applicant's strengths, even in the most competitive pools.

We know the importance of self-advocacy in the college admissions process, and we work closely with our clients to help them distinguish themselves as applicants, in writing and in person.

Our meetings are not limited to in-person sessions, but include telephone conference calls as well.

Our Senior Package includes:

Note: For continuing clients, we will combine the year-end and initial meetings.

• Meetings with student and parents in the summer before and/or early fall of a student's Senior year to pull together needed information, to identify areas of strength and interest, develop or confirm an academic, standardized testing, and extracurricular profile, create/finalize a college list, and consider early, rolling and regular pool application options.
• Summer work on interview practice and essay writing, including individual meetings with each Senior to complete a full Common Application before school resumes.
• Advising on preparation of supplementary materials, e.g. athletic resumes, art and writing portfolios, and performing arts video and audio DVDs.
• In the fall, continuing work on applications and essays, as needed.
• A meeting with student and parents in October (for early applicants) or in November (for regular applicants), to review fall college visits, if appropriate, confirm the final college list, and review all application details.
• Discussions throughout the year to assist student and parents with various aspects of the college process, including special talents and interests and merit and need-based scholarships.
• A December meeting with deferred or denied early applicants and parents to review and revise “Early Decision 2,” rolling, and regular pool strategies.
• A January mid-year review meeting with student and parents for those in regular admissions pools to tailor appropriate application updates.
• A March or April meeting with student and parents, for students wait-listed at their first choice college, to advise on sending updated information to the college, and on other strategies for maximizing their chances of admission.
• An April meeting with student and parents, when college decisions have been received, to review acceptances, plan “pre-frosh” visits, advise on negotiating financial aid packages, and confirm first choice school.
• Between-meetings access to a counselor for the student or parents to help deal with specific issues or answer particular questions as they arise during the school year.