College Counseling

The best use of a student’s time in 9th grade is to do high school well! However, questions about college do come up, and we are here to answer them. During 9th grade, we offer: 

• College Night for parents: Parents are invited to come meet Tara and learn what appropriate college prep looks like during 9th and 10th grades; what parents can do behind-the-scenes and up front to support their students on their journey; and how Hyla will support the college process for students at each grade level. 
• Quarterly (at least) emails to parents from Tara
• One 1:1 meeting with Tara and each student to discuss the goals below. 

Student Goals: 

• Define themselves as a learner; explore, understand, and advocate for their learning style. 
• Seek new and different pursuits, interests, and projects at school in the surrounding community. 
• Develop and maintain strong academic habits including goal setting, organization, and time management. 
• Focus on high school: building academic skills, developing good habits, goal setting, organization, time-management, and self-advocacy. Mastering these in high school will lead to greater success in college. 
• Review course selection with Learning Specialist with an eye toward possible future study interests. 
• Review student’s activities/extracurriculars, with guidance on how to explore options, seek, and engage.
• Make the most of summer break and READ! 

The best use of a student’s time in 10th grade continues to be doing their best in high school! Some of the 10th grade activities include: 

• Students meet with Tara to begin a general conversation about college where she’ll suggest some basic college research, such as visiting a college to see what it’s like. 
• Mock SAT or ACT tests: students will have the opportunity to take one or both mock tests at a dedicated time and in an environment similar to an actual test. 
• Annual College Night for Parents 
• Quarterly emails from Tara to parents with updates, resources, and other information related to college planning. 
• Two 1:1 meetings with Tara and students to discuss the goals below. 
   

Student Goals: 

• Steady progression through their academic journey. 
• Engage in a variety of self-assessment and career-oriented activities as they continue to discover themselves. 
• Evaluate their interests and pursuits to define a path forward and take them to the next level, focusing on depth within 1-2 areas. 
• Continue focus on high-school success: building academic skills, developing good habits, goal-setting, organization, time-management, and self-advocacy. Mastering these in high school will lead to greater success in college. 
• Review course selection with Learning Specialist with an eye toward possible future study interests. 
• Mock SAT or ACT 
• Families: Paying for college, including strategies for different situations 
• Consider visiting an active college campus or two to see what college looks/feels like. 
• Attend one of the many info sessions presented by college reps visiting Hyla. 
• Make the most of the summer break and READ! 

We’ll start this year with our annual “College Night” with Tara for parents. Mid fall, we’ll begin regular college counseling, which will include: 

• Monthly emails to parents with updates and other information
• Frequent one-on-one check-ins with each student 
• Field trip to a local college: College visits allow students to really picture themselves in a new environment and focus on the possibilities ahead, which is a great way to see beyond (and remove some stress from) the application process itself. 
• College rep visits to Hyla (built into the regular school day). 
• Parents/guardians survey regarding hopes, preferences, limitations, etc. regarding college for their student. This information allows Tara to best support families during the college application process senior year. 
   

Student Goals: 

• Review course selection with counselor with an eye toward possible future study interests. 
• Review of activities/extracurriculars. 
• Continue focus on high-school success: building academic skills, developing good habits, goal setting, organization, time-management, and self-advocacy. 
• Deepen relationships with teachers by asking questions, utilizing office hours, and asking for help when needed. Keep in mind that at least one of this year’s teachers will be writing your letter of recommendation! 
• Standardized test (SAT, ACT, AP) strategizing and planning. Test-optional updates and discussion. 
• Attend brief info sessions by college reps and learn how to make the most of these visits. 
• Work with the college counselor to build a balanced, best-fit college list in the spring. 
• Get comfortable with Scoir, the college planning software used by Hyla. 
• Work with parents/guardians to research colleges and plan visits. 
• Learn how to get the most from college visits, and then visit colleges! 
• Make the most of summer break (see below) and READ! 

Student Goals: 

• Colleges want to see that students have a purpose-driven summer. Consider either working a paid or unpaid job with regular hours and/or taking an interest to the next level by participating in a summer program, taking a class, or whatever is needed to advance the interest. 
• Finalize your list of colleges. 
• Complete your Common App Activities list so that they can simply be copied and pasted into the Common App. (Hyla students will have the chance to attend a workshop that covers this). 
• Open a Common App account and start completing it. (Hyla students will have the chance to attend a workshop that covers this). 

Our goal is to help students find the right post high school environment where they can continue to be challenged, grow as an individual, and explore their world. We encourage students to see their college applications as a reflection of their high school experience and a window into their future. We support the whole person during this process, reminding students that college applications are an opportunity to showcase their hard work, highlight who they are, and articulate the unique strengths they will bring to their college. 

By senior year, students have the information they need and should drive their college application process, requesting help from parents and Hyla staff as needed. During 12th grade, we provide the following support: 

• Weekly meetings with Tara throughout the fall, and as necessary thereafter. 
• Common App Essay support: Students will work with Tara and with English teacher, Brenda, to complete their essays. 
• College Counselor Office Hours: Twice a week students have the chance to stop by for support with their applications. (Additional support is offered to students enrolled in the “Learning Resources” class.) 
   

Student Goals: 

• College Essay brainstorming & writing in English class 
• Finalizing activities list 
• Common app prep 
• College interview preparation, as needed 
• Lining up counselor and teacher letters of recommendation 
• Writing supplemental essays 
• Application work 
• College acceptance decisions 
• Financial aid/scholarship strategies 
• Preparing for college, including guidance on setting up accommodations if needed