Stay on top of your college counseling tasks with our comprehensive August checklist. From sending out strategic monthly reminders to exploring the Common Application, updating software systems, planning for college rep visits, and refreshing your school profile, we've got you covered. Dive into the world of social media to discover new insights about popular and lesser-known universities. Start the academic year right with our step-by-step guide.
Discover our February Checklist and Cheatsheet for college counselors, packed with engaging activities and essential tasks to support student success. This month, dive into our 'Carnival, College, and Cupid's Arrow' theme, blending celebration with college planning and relationship-building. From assisting with regular decision applications to hosting a College Research Carnival, our resources offer daily 30-minute activities to enhance your counseling practice. Download the Cheatsheet for easy integration into your calendar, ensuring you stay on track with scholarship guidance, standardized testing strategies, and college research. Perfect for college counselors seeking effective, time-efficient strategies to motivate and guide students in their academic and college journey.
Embarking on the college journey is both exhilarating and daunting. That's why our college counseling program is designed to guide every high school student, step by step. This month, we zoom into the very essence of college preparation – from crafting a personalized academic blueprint, hosting informative workshops, to ensuring every senior meets their application deadline. As you navigate high school, remember: with ambition, purpose, and the right resources, the pathway to college becomes clearer. Dive into our comprehensive guide and let's make this journey memorable together.
In this checklist for high school college counselors, we outline key tasks to make the most of July. These include sending monthly reminders, exploring the Common Application, updating software for students and staff, and planning for the fall semester. Additionally, counselors should update task lists, create a Common App handout, and schedule college representative visits. The process of updating the school profile and researching popular universities on social media are also essential tasks. This comprehensive guide ensures counselors are well-prepared for the upcoming academic year, providing the best support for their students.
Here are the June Checklist and Cheatsheet! The checklist is a monthly resource collecting all of the typical duties and tasks for a college counselor for the month. See the PDF for June here, or read below. Then, the intention of the College Counseling Cheatsheet is to provide a 30-minute (or less) activity each weekday that college counselors can do to improve their counseling practice. Furthermore, the monthly calendar is designed to be uploaded as a CSV file into your Google (or other) calendar so you can get reminders and even move the event to whenever you want within your busy schedule. (Download the Cheatsheet, open your Google Calendar, open Settings, and follow the instructions in the Import/Export tab on the left-hand navigation menu!) Here is the link to the June Cheatsheet.
Take a look, and give me some feedback! Did I miss anything? Do you have any good ideas to share? Any thoughts? Please add them in the comments or email me!
During this month, the college counseling office is filled with a mix of excitement and nostalgia, as students and counselors bid farewell to the graduating class. Counselors work with students to finalize their summer plans, such as internships, summer programs, or volunteer experiences. Meanwhile, students are encouraged to reflect on their high school journey and the valuable lessons they have learned, while also looking forward to the next chapter of their lives.
Celebrate graduating seniors: Organize or attend graduation ceremonies, recognizing the achievements of your grade 12 students and wishing them well in their future endeavors.
Wrap up end-of-year reports: Finalize and submit reports on college acceptances, scholarships, and other notable achievements to school administration and the community.
Plan summer check-ins: Schedule periodic check-ins with students participating in summer enrichment programs, internships, or job opportunities to monitor their progress. Or don’t! But make your expectations clear!
Continue supporting waitlisted seniors: Provide guidance and support for grade 12 students still awaiting final decisions from colleges on their waitlist.
Reflect on the past school year: Analyze the successes and challenges of your counseling program, identifying areas for improvement or expansion.
Begin preparations for college fairs: Research and plan for upcoming college fairs in the fall, contacting college representatives and organizing logistics.
Encourage grade 11 students to work on college essays: Share tips and resources to help students brainstorm, draft, and revise their personal statements over the summer.
Monitor summer test dates: Ensure that students registered for summer SAT/ACT test dates are aware of their testing locations and any necessary preparation.
Create a fall event calendar: Develop a schedule of events and activities for the upcoming school year, such as college visits, workshops, and information sessions.
Review curriculum offerings: Evaluate your school's course offerings and ensure that students have access to a diverse range of classes that meet college admissions requirements. This may also include updating your NCAA information for the Clearinghouse.
Develop counseling resources: Create or update handouts, presentations, and other materials for student and parent meetings.
Plan for grade 9 & new student orientation: Organize activities and informational sessions to welcome incoming grade 9 students and transfer students and introduce them to the college planning process.
Coordinate with school staff: Meet with teachers, administrators, and other staff members to discuss upcoming events, changes in school policy, and strategies for student success.
Prepare for the next application cycle: Review grade 11 students' progress in their college search and application process, and develop action plans for the upcoming school year.
Set goals for the upcoming year: Establish objectives and benchmarks for your counseling program, based on data and feedback from the previous year.
Recharge and rejuvenate: Take some time for yourself to rest and recharge before the start of the next school year, ensuring that you are prepared and energized to support your students.
Organize student files: Ensure that all student records are up to date, including transcripts, test scores, and recommendation letters.
Express gratitude: Thank your colleagues, teachers, and school staff for their support and collaboration throughout the year, and wish your students well as they move on to the next phase of their educational journey.
Again, if you have any ideas or thoughts, please put them in the comments below or email me!
After a brief hiatus, the College Counseling Cheatsheet is back! The intention of the College Counseling Cheatsheet is to provide a 30-minute (or less) activity each weekday that college counselors can do to improve their counseling practice. Furthermore, the monthly calendar is designed to be uploaded as a CSV file into your Google (or other) calendar so you can get reminders and even move the event to whenever you want within your busy schedule. (Download the Cheatsheet, open your Google Calendar, open Settings, and follow the instructions in the Import/Export tab on the left-hand navigation menu!) Here is the link to the May Cheatsheet.
However, based on feedback, which sought a monthly resource collecting all of the typical duties and tasks of the month, I am introducing the Monthly Checklist as well. See the PDF for May here.
Take a look, and give me some feedback! Did I miss anything? Do you have any good ideas to share? Any thoughts?
In May, the college counseling office becomes a space for celebration and reflection, as students and counselors recognize the achievements of graduating seniors. Counselors continue to provide support for underclassmen, guiding them in their college planning process, while also assisting seniors with post-graduation plans, such as college enrollment and housing. Students are encouraged to cherish their accomplishments, appreciate the guidance they have received, and look forward to the opportunities that await them in their future educational endeavors.
Celebrate National Decision Day: Organize a school-wide celebration on or around May 1st to recognize seniors for their college acceptances and encourage a positive college-going culture. Here are some ideas…
Support waitlisted students: Guide grade 12 students on managing waitlist offers and how to communicate continued interest to colleges. Here is a resource to support this.
Share the NACAC openings list: For grade 12 students still looking for university options in the US, be sure to look at the NACAC list of schools still accepting applications: https://www.nacacnet.org/news--publications/Research/openings/
Track down UCAS results: Most UK application results should be released by mid-May. Take time to visit the UCAS website to track and record these outcomes.
Review and collect missing results in data: Review the missing data in your software or application tracking process to obtain all information about the senior class.
Prepare final transcripts: It is common practice not to release final transcripts until after graduation or after the end of the academic year. Begin reviewing and preparing these documents for the pending senior graduates, ensuring that they have or will meet graduation requirements. Also ensure that records inform what should be done with final transcripts for each student.
Check in on post-graduation plans: Ensure that graduating seniors have a plan for the summer and their transition to college. This includes collecting information about application plans and document requests from students still applying to universities abroad (e.g. Singapore, Korea, South Africa, etc.).
Write and distribute summer guidance: Grade 11 students and parents benefit from a clear communication about what college counseling recommends for what students should do over the summer in regards to their university process and applications. Here is an example you might follow.
Check and evaluate grade 11 college lists: Now is a critical time to make sure juniors are on the right track in terms of their list construction. Insightful feedback and recommendations now is essential to steer them properly as they head toward the summer months.
Distribute concrete summer advice for grade 11 students: Your rising seniors can benefit from some concrete advice about how to spend their summer in regards to the college process. Here is an example of such guidance.
Emphasize grade 11 college visits: Encourage grade 11 students to plan campus visits during the summer and provide information on college open houses and virtual tours.
Plan for test prep: Share resources for summer test preparation with grade 10 and 11 students, and help them create a study schedule for the SAT/ACT or other admissions tests such as an English proficiency test.
Coordinate with teachers for recommendation letters: Provide teachers with resources to write effective letters of recommendation for your grade 11 students as well as lists of the students for whom they will be writing, assuming your solicitation process occurred in April. Here is a slidedeck we have found helpful to help faculty.
Review Course Selections: This is an excellent time of year to examine the selected courses of your rising 12, 11, 10, and 9 students to ensure that they are challenging themselves appropriately, keeping their options open for university, and meeting all graduation requirements.
Prepare for end-of-year reports: Compile data on college acceptances, scholarships, and other notable achievements to share with school administration and the community.
Evaluate your counseling program: As your work with your pending graduates winds down, take some time to reflect on the effectiveness of your counseling program and identify areas for improvement or expansion. What does success look like? Here is a slidedeck from a presentation that might be helpful.
Create a summer reading list: Recommend books and articles related to college admissions, financial aid, and student success for students and parents.
Again, if you have any ideas or thoughts, please put them in the comments below or email me!
