 Preparation for College Careers
The Elon School is committed to guiding our students through the college admission process with the same individualized attention and care they receive in our classrooms. The College Counseling office focuses on the particular abilities, needs, and desires of each individual student and family, and is focused on benefiting the student through numerous one-on-one counseling sessions.
Beginning in ninth grade, students will be assigned an advisor who will support them throughout their high school career with course selection, academic progress, and mentoring. Workshops for students and their parents will keep families informed about academic preparation, standardized testing, the college selection and admission process, and other topics. In the junior and senior years, each student will work individually with the College Counselor to clarify personal goals and develop an appropriate college list.
Our goal is for each student to be admitted into colleges that both appeal to the student and that also fit his/her academic, co-curricular, and personal profile. Students and parents are encouraged to contact the College Counseling office at any point to discuss concerns and questions about the college planning process.
TES School Profile
Testing Information:
Click here to register: www.collegeboard.org/testing
Click here to register: www.actstudent.org
Planning for College:
To schedule a college advisory appointment, contact Tania Rachkoskie
9th Grade | 10th Grade | 11th Grade | 12th Grade
9th Grade
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Meet with your college counselor |
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Start thinking about college and research what colleges are seeking in an applicant |
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Challenge yourself academically |
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Plan summer experiences that will be beneficial such as work, volunteer, travel or an internship |
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Start thinking about career interests |
10th Grade
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Find colleges that match your interests |
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Meet with your college counselor |
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Make sure you are meeting the academic requirements for high school graduation and college acceptance |
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Attend college fairs and visit colleges/universities during the summer |
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Take the PSAT and begin preparation for the SAT |
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Commit to a summer experience (work, volunteer, travel, internship) |
11th Grade
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Develop a list of 7 to 10 colleges and plan visits to the campuses |
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Take the PSAT in October and the SAT/ACT in the winter or spring |
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Meet with college representatives when they visit the school |
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Begin regular meetings with the college counselor during the second semester |
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Visit colleges and universities during the academic year, attend a class and attend open houses |
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Attend financial aid information sessions at your school or local college |
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Meet with the college counselor to discuss college, financial aid and scholarships |
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Continue summer experiences |
12th Grade
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Meet with college counselor to begin the college application process |
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Take the SAT again and SAT Subject tests (if needed) |
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Write application essay and ask teachers and counselor to review |
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Request recommendation letters from teachers |
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Make a master calendar for dates and college application deadlines |
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Apply to colleges and universities prior to application deadlines |
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Complete the FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) and PROFILE after January 1 and prior to March 1 |
| After acceptance letters come in, compare academic programs, location, and financial aid and scholarship awards. Visit your final college before accepting the offer. You must notify every college of your decision by May 1. Also, send a deposit to the college you have chosen. |
Scholarship and Financial Aid Information
College Guidebooks
There are several guidebooks that can assist you with your college search and admissions process. These guidebooks can be purchased at major bookstores, online at amazon.com or other web sites.
| Some suggestions are as follows: |
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Peterson's Guide to American Colleges |
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Barron's Profiles of American Colleges |
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College Board College Handbook |
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Lovejoy's College Guide |
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The Fiske Guide to Colleges |
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Princeton Review's The Best 361 Colleges |
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College Admissions Index of Majors and Sports |
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College Board Book of Majors |
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Princeton Review Big Book of Colleges |
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Colleges That Change Lives |
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The College Finder |
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Rugg's Recommendations on Colleges |
| For tips and advice on college visits, interviewing, preparing applications, writing essays and other information: |
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Looking Beyond the Ivy League, by Loren Pope |
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Playing the Selective College Admissions Game, by Richard Moll |
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50 College Admissions Directors Speak to Parents, by MacGowan and McGinty |
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