Overview

The College Counseling Office provides a full range of support for students and their parents in order to facilitate a “best fit” college selection while maintaining the focus on the needs of the student and family. The following overview provides a brief introduction to college counseling activities. In addition to the student activities listed below, there are multiple opportunities to engage in topical discussion through information sessions, workshops, individual meetings, and specialty sessions, including our March Madness partnership with the Intermediate School!

GRADE 8: Each spring, College Counseling partners with Middle School administration and teachers to host the annual College Expo. Students learn about more than 20 colleges and universities across the globe from graduating seniors, faculty, and staff. It is a fun and informative way for students to engage in the college-going process.

GRADE 9: Freshman year is a time of transition. It is a time to build on foundational knowledge and begin to think and write more critically and independently. It is also a time to try new things by joining clubs and participating in sports and community service. In the summer months, many students choose to attend programs related to their interests or pre-college academic programs hosted on college campuses.

College Counseling provides the following opportunities for students and families to begin to engage with the admission process through self assessment, reflection and research.

• Parent events such as Coffee and Conversation, Funding a College Education and All About Upper School

• Bay Area Independent Schools College Fair and college events geared towards specific majors

• A 9th grade family information session helps to demystify the college preparation and admission process

• Student self assessment with career and personality profilers

• An introduction to our college management systems, resume builders, and various college exploration tools

GRADE 10: With assistance from their advisors, sophomores continue with their four-year academic and co-curricular plan. Students should continue extracurricular activities and make a plan to deepen their commitments and rise to leadership where possible. The college counseling office also works with the academic dean to advise students on appropriate courses leading to specific college majors and level of admissions selectivity.

College Counseling provides the following opportunities for students and families to continue to engage with the admission process through self assessment, reflection and research.

• In October, sophomores take the PSAT for the first time and then review their results with the testing coordinator and college counselor to create a plan for test prep and future college admission testing.

• Parent events such as Coffee and Conversation and Funding a College Education, as well as small group gatherings with the Upper School Director and Director of College Counseling

• Bay Area Independent Schools College Fair and IQ College Tours/Events geared towards specific majors

• Invitation to college admission representative visits on our campus

• Continued in-depth self assessment through career and personality profiler activities and major matching

• Support provided for students interested in pursuing athletic recruitment to register for NCAA eligibility

• Family sessions to review student goals while planning for post secondary success

GRADE 11: The college counseling program intensifies considerably during the junior year as students deepen their exploration of specific schools/majors and then prepare for the application process. College Counseling provides the following opportunities for students and families to strengthen their engagement with the admission process through research, exposure to universities and college admission professionals and preparation for the application process.

• College Kick-off for juniors and families provides an in-depth overview of the junior year and more specific tools to assist with the application process

• Parent events such as Coffee and Conversation and Funding a College Education

• Juniors have the opportunity to meet with the 80+ college admission representatives visiting campus throughout the fall

• Bay Area Independent Schools College Fair and college tours/events geared towards specific majors

• PSAT/NMSQT in October, followed by a meeting with the testing coordinator and college counselor to plan specific goals for SAT/ACT/TOEFL testing as indicated.

• Test prep options include Khan Academy, SSES faculty taught prep classes, and referral to local community tutors

• Multiple individual student and family meetings to curate college lists, review specific family needs, and plan for important next-steps

• Month-long college essay workshop to develop, edit, and hone application essays.

• Admission case studies and resume workshops

• Support provided for students interested in pursuing athletic recruitment to register for NCAA eligibility and coordination with college coaches

• Local scholarships are advertised and applications are supported

• CAPS (College Application Preparation Series), offered during the summer, allows for proactive completion of applications with individualized assistance before senior year responsibilities begin

GRADE 12: By the time senior year begins, Saint Stephen’s students have done most of their college planning, research and application preparation. They are taking their most challenging courses and reaching the peak of involvement and leadership in their chosen activities. College Counseling provides the following opportunities for students and families to successfully complete the admission process and celebrate the positive outcomes.

• Beginning of the year Senior Family Meeting provides an overview of senior year, the most current college and application trends, and additional tools to assist with the application process

• Parent events such as Funding a College Education

• Seniors are expected to schedule weekly College Counseling meetings during their study hall to discuss the logistics and practicalities of the college application process: review each part of every application before submission, write and review essays and supplementals, obtain and complete forms, send test scores and work within deadlines.

• Seniors meet with college admission professionals (from the 80+ who visit SSES every fall) who represent the student’s chosen universities

• Mock interviews are provided for students who will interview for admission or scholarships

• College counselors support each student’s college applications by writing the counselor recommendation, completing the secondary school report, gathering the teacher letters of recommendation and school transcripts, and providing the Upper School profile

• Support for students interested in pursuing athletic recruitment to register for NCAA eligibility and individualized coordination with college coaches is provided

• College Counseling assists seniors with completion of their Florida Bright Futures registration and uploads all pertinent data to their accounts

• Local scholarships are advertised and applications are supported

• Pre-departure orientation prepares students for their college transition and covers topics of college safety, conflict management, social emotional well-being, internships and involvement, as well as how to navigate healthy relationships with roommates, friends, and professors

In April, celebrations and long-standing Saint Stephen’s graduation traditions begin, from the Senior Walk to the College Pennant Celebration, culminating in May with the Senior Dinner, Baccalaureate and Graduation.