COLLEGE COUNSELING EXPECTATIONS

The College Counselor will:

• Be available and accessible to students and parents to guide, counsel and advise.
• Not dictate where the student should apply or enroll.
• Meet with students and parents: Students-After the eleventh grade college trip, students should start to schedule appointments. This initial meeting should be completed by the spring. Parents-A spring appointment, which follows the student's initial session, should be made during the student's free period or before/after school so the student is also in attendance. I hope to meet with all juniors and their parents by the end of May.
• Write a comprehensive, honest letter of recommendation for each student. I try to collect as much data as possible from teachers, activity sponsors, coaches, parents and the student.
• Help the student to better understand what colleges are looking for in their applicants.
• Help the student present him/herself in the best possible manner. (Counselors neither get students admitted to colleges nor keep them out; each student will help determine what happens based on performance throughout high school.)
• Send ON TIME (provided the student meets deadlines) the following:
  Secondary School Report Transcript
  Glenelg Country School Profile Letter of Recommendation
  Grade Distribution Sheet Mid-Year and End-of Year Reports

The Students will:

• Read closely the GCS college folder and come to programs and workshops.
• Be honest and candid with the college counselor and be open to new suggestions.
• Keep parents informed of the progress being made in the college search process.
• Keep the counselor updated about new activities, accomplishments and interests.
• Spend as much time thinking about likely schools as reach schools. A greater chance of admission at a school does not mean that the school's programs are of lesser quality.
• Complete and submit the required information forms by the established deadlines. This information is extremely helpful to us (teachers and counselor) in writing the letters of recommendation, so please take the time to complete these as honestly and completely as possible.
• Meet the counselor for an interview.
• Review applications and make sure all forms are complete before submitting them. Make sure the information is accurate. ALWAYS retain copies!
• Proofread essays and expect them to take several drafts to complete. Students are expected to complete their own applications. Hiring someone to write essays is unethical. It is the responsibility of the high school to notify a college if a student's work is not his/her own. Admission offices quickly discern those essays and applications that have been professionally packaged.
• After September, check your e-mail often for information from the College Counseling office regarding programs, college visits, and other information.

The Parents will:

• Read closely the GCS college folder, meet with Mrs. S., and come to programs.
• Not believe rumors about the college admission process.
• Not rely on U.S. News and World Report Rankings. Check many sources.
• Be encouraging, supportive, optimistic, and realistic, offering advice and guidance when appropriate. Encourage your child to take control. This builds responsible decision making.
• Celebrate your child's many accomplishments.
• Listen to what your child is saying about the college process and be a sounding board for your child. Listen to what your child is not saying as well.
• Avoid pushing or forcing your preferences or biases regarding college choices. (99% of the time the student makes the right choice) Remember, if someone other than the student makes the college choice decision, and the student is unhappy with the choice, he or she will blame those "significant others." If parents resist pushing, the child will probably seek out your advice and in the end will make a wise decision. Find a comfortable place between running the college search process and remaining at a comfortable distance.
• Help your child think about who he/she really is, what his/her values are, and how he/she has changed during the high school years.
• Be open to new suggestions, even "unknown" colleges. Help your child understand that there is more than one college that will be the perfect place for him/her.
• Be candid about the parameters of the college search to the child and to the counselor regarding cost, distance from home, etc. Communicate-it is a family decision on several levels.
• Be honest about your aims and aspirations for your child. Agree to disagree.
• Drive your child to visit campuses.
• Complete the Parent Questionnaire by the middle of October. This information is extremely helpful to me, the counselor, when I write the comprehensive letter of recommendation. Please take the time to answer the questions as honestly and completely as possible. Appropriate anecdotes are great.
• Fill out financial aid forms; read about financial aid. Press to get straight answers from admission and financial aid officers to minimize surprises.
• Recognize that your child will have his/her own timetable for considering college options, filling out applications, etc. However, it is helpful to stay on top of the deadlines.
• Support an ethical approach to the college application process. Students are expected to complete their own applications-and to present accurate information. Students packaged professionally look just like that…packaged. Inaccurate information-even by mistake-can too easily appear to be an honor violation. Many colleges have an honor system.
• Maintain a healthy perspective as well as a sense of humor.