College Counseling

The goal of the College Counseling Office is to ensure that students explore, identify, and select colleges that meet their academic, emotional, and social needs. The counselors work closely with students and parents to provide individual and family assistance in the college search process. Time and experience have shown that self awareness and thorough research lead to informed decision-making, which in turn leads to a strong match. Counselors assist students in discovering academically challenging colleges and universities, where they can achieve personal success, and make a difference in their college communities. We realize no two paths to college are the same, in either practical or emotional terms, and we treat all of our students as the unique individuals that they are.

The College Counseling program plays an integral part in each student's Upper School experience. During the freshman year, students and parents work with faculty advisors to assist students in scheduling the most challenging and appropriate college preparatory courses according to each student's abilities, past performance, and interests. In the Freshman Wellness Seminar, students engage in lessons and activities designed to facilitate self-awareness. A College Counseling component of the Freshman Academic Planning Night helps students plan their next three years to encourage them to find their passion through academic challenge, extracurricular involvement, community service, and employment.

During the sophomore year, students take both the PLAN and PSAT. Results from these tests assess academic strengths and weaknesses. Both of these tests provide additional standardized test-taking experience. The PLAN also includes career exploration information. A College Counseling group session during Sophomore Field Studies serves as a check-in at the mid-point of the high school experience.

During the junior year, college search and admission requirements are more formally addressed. In early fall, students and parents are invited to College Planning Night for Juniors. This event allows Highland families to interact with current admission professionals in order to learn about the current trends in college admissions. The night starts with a Potluck dinner for families to interact informally with college professionals, college counselors, and other Highland families. The program includes an overview of the college search process, a panel presentation and a question/answer session. The college professionals return the following day to provide workshops for juniors concerning the college search and application process. Additionally, juniors take the PSAT in October. In the spring, students participate in a career and college major exploration workshop. Students and their parents meet with the college counselor in the second semester. The focus of the first meeting is to discuss the student's interests, strengths, and needs as they relate to the college search process. Topics include financial planning, college criteria, and standardized testing. Juniors also complete a three day internship to explore and clarify potential career interests, discover what skills and education are essential for success, and develop maturity and responsibility.

During the senior year, the focus of the college counseling office is guiding students through the college application process. It begins during Senior Field Studies with a bonfire discussion where the faculty shares their own college search stories with the seniors. In the first semester of the Senior Seminar, staff works with seniors on applications, essays, and the college fit. In the second semester, seniors participate in a Transition Workshop in preparation for college.

While individual attention is the emphasis of the college counseling program, the office also sponsors several educational programs for Highland families including Financial Aid and Scholarships Seminar, College Bound Athlete Workshop, Fine and Performing Arts College Admissions Workshop, Learning Differences in College Admissions, and a Young Alumni and Parent of Alumni College Panel. The office also schedules visits for college representatives to meet with students on Highland's campus. Our office also coordinates the nominations and applications to the Virginia Summer Residential Governor's School. We have been fortunate to have one student in 2006, two students in 2007, four students in 2008, and seven students in 2009 attend the programs in academics, foreign languages and fine and visual arts. Additionally, college counselors work continually with faculty advisors to assist all students in scheduling the most challenging and appropriate college preparatory courses according to each student's abilities, past performance, and interests. Lastly, implementation of the Naviance college counseling software program enables college counselors to track application and admissions history, and for students and parents to track and organize their college search and application process.