© 2009 College and More, Inc. All rights reserved. Website Design and Graphics by Susan Shipwash.
Dr. Gay Stebbins Pepper - Professional Educational Counseling
College and More, Inc.
Frequently Asked Questions regarding College Counseling
By Dr. Gay S. Pepper, College and More, Inc.
By Dr. Gay S. Pepper, College and More, Inc.
1.What is the advantage of beginning the college counseling process in the
junior year? Mostschools begin the college advising process at the mid-point of the
junior year so that students can begin building their college list before visiting colleges
over spring break. Families often want to begin this process earlier in the year so that
there is more in-depth counseling in terms of determining the best college matches
for the student. Counseling at College and More, Inc. includes: an analysis of the
academic profile, course selection for the senior year, the standardized testing
program in the junior and senior years, and summer enrichment. Once students have
their preliminary college list (approximately 10-14 colleges), they research these
colleges on line. Working with the counselor, students refine their lists and decide
which colleges to visit over spring break when students are on campus. Students
also work on interviewing techniques, and how to evaluate a college campus. At the
end of the junior year, the student should have a clear idea of their college list; should have completed the standardized testing; have identified two teachers to write recommendations letters; and have an understanding of how the common application works, with special emphasis on the personal essay.
2. What is the advantage of beginning college counseling in the sophomore year? College admissions decisions are largely based on the quality of a student’s curriculum, particularly in the junior and senior years. Colleges look at how well students have progressed in each discipline and how well they have performed in the tougher courses. Course planning in the sophomore year allows for this kind of strategic academic planning. Students can also be counseled about how to build on non-academic strengths so they can show evidence of distinction in extra-curricular activities by the time they submit their applications. Starting early to shape a program of study and identify personal strengths gives a student’s greater distinction in an applicant pool.
3. What is the benefit of college counseling in the senior year? Mostly the first semester of senior year revolves around completing the college applications as well as getting good grades. Due dates are typically the first of November for Early Action and Early Decision applications and January first or fifteenth for Regular Decision applications. Some students use the fall to take another round of standardized tests, visit additional campuses, or arrange for interviews. But in terms of making important decisions about course selections, senior year is simply too late.
4. What counseling plan has the greatest impact in terms of strengthening a candidate’s
chances of getting into a competitive college? The key is long-term planning in terms of building a strong program of study, doing those activities that build on individual strengths, and having a game plan that brings out the best in a candidate. Having a three-year (or even a four year) window allows for this kind of strategic planning.
5. What is the primary role of parents of a college-bound student? Parents can play a very positive role in this process if they accept the fact that the student is in the center and is the one who essentially drives the process. Parents need to be supportive of the dialogue between the student and the counselor. They also need to play an important role in planning college visit.
6. What is the way for a student to approach the college process? Students who fare the best in this process see it as an adventure that takes careful planning so that each step is done well before moving to the next one. In the junior year, it is important to begin to think about what you, the student, want from a college. Is it close relationships with professors who serve as mentors? Or is it the opportunity to do research at a major university, a very different kind of setting from a small liberal arts college. Students who decide they want eight “first” choices also do well because they know they could be happy at a variety of different colleges which offer what they are looking for. Being open-minded, flexible, and confident about your ability to be successful in
different kinds of settings are all healthy ways to achieve success in the college process.
7. What is the advantage of working with an independent college counselor? For most college-bound students who are applying to selective and highly selective colleges, knowing how to navigate the admission process with confidence is difficult, and can be confusing. The benefit of an independent counselor is in helping students sort out specific college goals that relate to their abilities, values, goals, and career interests. Beginning early in this process can also help the student build the strongest possible academic and personal profile that clearly reflect individual strengths. Making the “match” between the strengths of the student and those of college means knowing yourself as a student and matching these to individual colleges. It is a thoughtful process that requires time, research, planning, organization and energy. Working with an expert can add value to this experience and make the journey one of great personal growth and success.
8. What distinguishes College and More, Inc., from other college advisory services?
Successful college admissions has been the hallmark of College and More, Inc. The key to this success has come from knowing how to identify a student’s personal strengths and growth potential and finding the best college matches. To do this well, College and More, Inc. counselors have been visiting college campuses and meeting with admission deans for over three decades. College and More, Inc.offers the option of ability testing as a way of understanding in greater depth a student’s innate strengths. The Highlands Ability Battery, based on the research findings of the Johnson O’Conner Foundation, is now offered on line for students age 15 and older. This kind of insight on ability strengths provides an excellent foundation for comprehensive college counseling. (For more on this, visit www.abilitybattery.com) College and More, Inc. also values the family as an integral part of the team while putting the student at the center of the process.
junior year? Mostschools begin the college advising process at the mid-point of the
junior year so that students can begin building their college list before visiting colleges
over spring break. Families often want to begin this process earlier in the year so that
there is more in-depth counseling in terms of determining the best college matches
for the student. Counseling at College and More, Inc. includes: an analysis of the
academic profile, course selection for the senior year, the standardized testing
program in the junior and senior years, and summer enrichment. Once students have
their preliminary college list (approximately 10-14 colleges), they research these
colleges on line. Working with the counselor, students refine their lists and decide
which colleges to visit over spring break when students are on campus. Students
also work on interviewing techniques, and how to evaluate a college campus. At the
end of the junior year, the student should have a clear idea of their college list; should have completed the standardized testing; have identified two teachers to write recommendations letters; and have an understanding of how the common application works, with special emphasis on the personal essay.
2. What is the advantage of beginning college counseling in the sophomore year? College admissions decisions are largely based on the quality of a student’s curriculum, particularly in the junior and senior years. Colleges look at how well students have progressed in each discipline and how well they have performed in the tougher courses. Course planning in the sophomore year allows for this kind of strategic academic planning. Students can also be counseled about how to build on non-academic strengths so they can show evidence of distinction in extra-curricular activities by the time they submit their applications. Starting early to shape a program of study and identify personal strengths gives a student’s greater distinction in an applicant pool.
3. What is the benefit of college counseling in the senior year? Mostly the first semester of senior year revolves around completing the college applications as well as getting good grades. Due dates are typically the first of November for Early Action and Early Decision applications and January first or fifteenth for Regular Decision applications. Some students use the fall to take another round of standardized tests, visit additional campuses, or arrange for interviews. But in terms of making important decisions about course selections, senior year is simply too late.
4. What counseling plan has the greatest impact in terms of strengthening a candidate’s
chances of getting into a competitive college? The key is long-term planning in terms of building a strong program of study, doing those activities that build on individual strengths, and having a game plan that brings out the best in a candidate. Having a three-year (or even a four year) window allows for this kind of strategic planning.
5. What is the primary role of parents of a college-bound student? Parents can play a very positive role in this process if they accept the fact that the student is in the center and is the one who essentially drives the process. Parents need to be supportive of the dialogue between the student and the counselor. They also need to play an important role in planning college visit.
6. What is the way for a student to approach the college process? Students who fare the best in this process see it as an adventure that takes careful planning so that each step is done well before moving to the next one. In the junior year, it is important to begin to think about what you, the student, want from a college. Is it close relationships with professors who serve as mentors? Or is it the opportunity to do research at a major university, a very different kind of setting from a small liberal arts college. Students who decide they want eight “first” choices also do well because they know they could be happy at a variety of different colleges which offer what they are looking for. Being open-minded, flexible, and confident about your ability to be successful in
different kinds of settings are all healthy ways to achieve success in the college process.
7. What is the advantage of working with an independent college counselor? For most college-bound students who are applying to selective and highly selective colleges, knowing how to navigate the admission process with confidence is difficult, and can be confusing. The benefit of an independent counselor is in helping students sort out specific college goals that relate to their abilities, values, goals, and career interests. Beginning early in this process can also help the student build the strongest possible academic and personal profile that clearly reflect individual strengths. Making the “match” between the strengths of the student and those of college means knowing yourself as a student and matching these to individual colleges. It is a thoughtful process that requires time, research, planning, organization and energy. Working with an expert can add value to this experience and make the journey one of great personal growth and success.
8. What distinguishes College and More, Inc., from other college advisory services?
Successful college admissions has been the hallmark of College and More, Inc. The key to this success has come from knowing how to identify a student’s personal strengths and growth potential and finding the best college matches. To do this well, College and More, Inc. counselors have been visiting college campuses and meeting with admission deans for over three decades. College and More, Inc.offers the option of ability testing as a way of understanding in greater depth a student’s innate strengths. The Highlands Ability Battery, based on the research findings of the Johnson O’Conner Foundation, is now offered on line for students age 15 and older. This kind of insight on ability strengths provides an excellent foundation for comprehensive college counseling. (For more on this, visit www.abilitybattery.com) College and More, Inc. also values the family as an integral part of the team while putting the student at the center of the process.