Freshman year is important in establishing strong study habits and study skills. Colleges may not ask for freshman year grades, but remember, for overall GPA, freshman year counts. Guidance starts with freshman scheduling conferences and concludes with course selection and advisory at the end of the year. Freshmen are introduced to Naviance, our online counseling and guidance program, during the 2nd semester. Through Naviance, freshmen take an inventory to better understand their unique learning style. They also begin to research careers and colleges through Naviance. Freshmen are encouraged to stop by the counseling office and discuss any academic issues or just to chat so that the counselor can get to know, and thus better guide, the students.

Grades count for college admission this year. Work hard and smart. The PSAT, (a preliminary SAT, one of two national college entrance exams), is optional for sophomores. Semester two, if PSAT is taken, sophomores can review their results with their counselors. Individual students (and parents) may make appointments with their counselor to discuss their scores. Sophomores should continue to feel free to stop by and see their counselor to discuss school, dreams, goals and life. Second semester also includes a visit by the counselors to the sophomore classrooms to introduce the California Scholarship Federation (CSF), and course selection and advisement. Sophomores are also encouraged to take a personality profile assessment through Naviance to better match students with careers and colleges.

Junior year is considered by many students to be the toughest. Maintaining a strong GPA in rigorous coursework may be challenging but is important. All juniors take the PSAT semester one. Counselors visit the classroom for college admissions advice and information. Juniors may apply for both California Scholarship Federation (CSF) and National Honor Society first semester. Semester two, students meet in groups to go over PSAT test results and then may meet individually with the counselor to discuss specific scores. Junior year PSAT scores are used for eligibility in the National Merit Scholarship Competition. During the spring semester, each junior will receive 20 days of intensive SAT preparation to equip them for the SAT. This training will take place during the school day. Preparation for the college application and process is a particular advising focus for Juniors during the second semester and includes an evening presentation for parents. During this year, many students choose to meet with the counselor to discuss future goals and college choices. Students will also be given advice in writing the college application essay. Course selection and advisory for the senior year occurs in the classrooms at midyear.

The temptation is to give in to senioritis, but colleges and universities expect a strong senior year! Semester one starts with individual Senior Planning Appointments with the counselor. Here, graduation status is discussed as well as college/career plans, SAT/ACT testing status, community service status, and college financial aid plans; parents are encouraged to attend this important meeting. Many classroom visits by the counselor occur this year on topics such as application deadlines, BC registration process and dates, financial aid information, and more college tidbits. Naviance becomes a necessary tool to understand and use, as it is the means of sending all electronic documents, including transcripts, the Common Application and letters of recommendation. Seniors may apply for both California Scholarship Federation (CSF) and National Honor Society first semester. An informational night for parents of seniors takes place early in the first semester. A second parent night occurs early in January focusing on financial aid and the FAFSA. If seniors haven’t done so already, they need to visit the counselor for a get-to-know-you-session before the counselor writes a college recommendation so that the counselor can be as personal as possible in that letter to the universities to which students have applied. The counselor is available to give help in completing college applications or give advice on the college application essay. Keep going strong throughout second semester while waiting to hear from colleges and universities applied to. The waiting game is hard, but a strong ending to the senior year will make for a strong beginning for the freshman year of college.