By Rachel Williams, NACAC Communications

The spring semester is when juniors in high school start seriously considering their postsecondary options. In a recent Counselor Bites webinar, Jen Nuechterlein, college and career counselor of Hunterdon Central Regional High School, and Donielle Couture, director of college counseling at The Shipley School, talked about how to help high school juniors start the process.Ā Ā 

Counselor Bites are succinct, 30-minute webinar recordings exclusively for NACAC members. They are facilitated through NACACā€™s partnership with the College Guidance Network and offer college admission counseling professionals with tips on a variety of topics.Ā 

By following these tips, counselors can help juniors approach the college search process with greater clarity and confidence.Ā 

  1. Encourage Campus Visits Early
    With so much information readily available online, it can be tempting to rely on the Internet for postsecondary research. However, one of the best ways to get a feel for different colleges is to visit their campuses. Even if students and their families can only visit one campus, that experience can help students narrow down what they like and donā€™t like in a school.Ā 
  2. Take Advantage of College Fairs and Tours
    Attending college fairs and touring campuses are important steps in the process. When touring a campus, students should sign up for the official campus tour through the admission office rather than simply walking the campus grounds themselves. Also, encourage students to take pictures and make notes of what they like and didnā€™t like immediately after the tour or speaking with a campus representative. If a student intends to consider numerous institutions, those pictures and notes can help them remember unique characteristics of each school.
  3. Reflect on High School Experiences
    To help narrow down their college options, students should reflect on their high school experience. Encourage students to think about what classes they enjoyed most and what specific aspects of those classes stood out. Whether itā€™s the subject matter, the teacher, or a specific lesson, identifying what resonates with them can help them find colleges and career paths that match their academic interests.Ā 
  4. Make the College Search About the Student
    The college search should be student-driven. Family members and friends may have their own expectations or preferences, but the search for the best-fit college is an individual process. Itā€™s crucial that students take ownership of the process and focus on what they want. Counselors may have to act as a mediator between students and families, helping both sides understand each otherā€™s concerns and wishes.Ā 
  5. Discuss Financial Aid and Extracurricular Activities Early
    Encourage your students and their families to discuss what financial support is available in the studentā€™s postsecondary journey. Early financial aid discussions between parents and students can open the lines of communication and prevent surprises or disappointments later on. Additionally, encourage students to start working on the ā€œactivitiesā€ section of their college applications by listing their extracurricular activities, their interests, and what they enjoy about those activities. This helps even the most reluctant students begin thinking about their strengths and their passions as they begin the process.Ā 

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