COLLEGE COUNSELING

College Fairs | College Visits | Colleges by State | Search/Planning | SAT-ACT | Common Applications | College Search Resources | College Matriculation 2002-2007 | Profiles of RHS Current College Students

Return to UPPER SCHOOL

College Counseling

As a college preparatory school, Rocky Hill believes that higher education is a vital element of the self-knowledge that is celebrated in the school's motto, "Know Thyself," and the role of the College Counseling Office is to guide and facilitate the student's matriculation after graduation at an appropriate institution of higher learning. Through an ongoing, highly personalized, and cooperative program involving the student, parents, adviser, other faculty, and the Director of College Counseling, the student is counseled and supported throughout the process of selecting and gaining admission to a college ideally suited to his/her personal and academic needs and aspirations. Our goal is to match each Rocky Hill graduate with a school that will make the college experience as happy, rewarding, and productive as possible.

Basic Guidelines for College Placement

• Review college preparatory curriculum path.
• Register for the Preliminary Scholastic Assessment Test (PSAT).

• Sit for the PSAT-get a good night sleep and eat a good breakfast for energy! The PSAT should be used as a diagnostic tool and should be reviewed with your counselor or advisor to determine areas of weakness and develop a strategy for improvement.

• College Entrance Examination Board (CEEB) administers SAT II Subject Tests-when appropriate, sophomores completing college prep biology should take this test at this time.
• Assess curricular needs, including extra curricular activities and community service, for the next two years

• College Entrance Examination Board (CEEB) administers SAT II Subject Tests-when appropriate, sophomores completing college prep biology should take this test at this time.
• Assess curricular needs, including extra curricular activities and community service, for the next two years

• Junior year is an important year for college admissions-focus on your studies from day one!
• Check calendar dates and locations of upcoming college admissions visits, fairs and/or portfolio days.
• Register for the PSAT if you did not take them sophomore year.
• Begin researching career options by talking with people who are working in any fields which might interest you. Seek the help of a counselor who can help determine careers that suit your interests, personality, and strengths.

• Sit for the PSAT.

• Begin to compile reference books and a list of Internet resources.
• Meet with a college counselor to discuss your college interests and to develop an initial list of schools to begin researching. The list is only a starting point. This process requires some self-evaluation and an understanding of your academic and personal profile. Discuss any career plans you have formulated.
• Plan your Scholastic Aptitude Test (SAT) and/or the American College Test (ACT) schedule. The ACT is accepted as an alternative to the SAT 1, primarily in Western schools, and is sometimes a good alternative for students who are learning disabled.
• Consider school breaks, during the winter and spring, as potential opportunities for beginning college visits. It is a good idea to get a jump on visits that can take some time and planning, and need to be spaced appropriately. It is always best to visit schools in session, whenever possible.
• Review deadlines for Advanced Placement (AP) tests for any AP courses you are taking.

• Research schools on the Internet and in reference books. Talk with students who attend any colleges you might be interested in visiting. Request for view books and application material. Remember that, at this time, you do not have to act on the information; you only need to think, listen and question.
• File service academy and ROTC applications for scholarship.
• Apply for any summer programs and/or internships that provide opportunities for growth in your areas of interest.
• Register for the SAT II, subject tests for any coursework you are completing this spring (U.S. History, Chemistry, 3rd year of a foreign language).
• Sit for the ACT.
• Through collaboration with a consultant and/or advisor, determine a challenging senior curriculum.

• Take AP exams and SAT I.
• Meet with your counselor to review research thus far, and plan summer college visits. Plan your visits ahead!
• Discuss Early Decision/Early Action possibilities.

• Sit for the SAT II.

• Continue research and visits. Begin an outline and rough draft of at least one college essay.
• Devote some time to preparing for the SATs. There is a question a day on the College Board website.
• Have a productive and interesting summer. Practical experience is important!

• Meet early with a consultant and/or counselor to rework your college list according to your research and visits. Determine final list and Early Decision/Early Action options. The final list should include 2 schools you have at least an 80% chance of getting into, 2 "reach" schools that you have a 20-30% chance of acceptance and the rest of the schools on the list should fall into the middle category.
• Request recommendations from teachers who know you well; one person should be able to address your writing ability.
• Register for SAT I/SAT II. Early admissions candidates should sit for the October or November tests. The SAT I and the SAT II must be taken on separate dates and not all subject tests are offered on the same dates. Generally, the further you are into the semester, the broader your knowledge base. Important: you are responsible for making certain your test scores are sent to colleges.
• Continue reviewing for SATs
• Begin applications.
• Create a deadline schedule for applications. Pay special attention to early decision applications!
• Check dates for financial aid nights, and/or meet with your financial consultant.
• Throughout the fall: work on college essays, attend college fairs and college admissions meetings at your school, research scholarships.

• Complete college visitations through Thanksgiving break
• Deadlines for many Early Decision and Early Action candidates.
• Sit for the SAT I/SAT II

• Complete final drafts of applications and essays. Review with an adult and edit carefully!
• Sit for SAT I/SAT II and/or ACT.
• Visit with friends home from college who can share their experiences. Keep an open mind: some experiences are uniquely their own, and may not be the same as what you will experience.

• File the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) and/or the Financial Aid Form (FAF) after January 1.
• January is last opportunity for the SAT for regular admissions.
• Make certain that you meet all deadlines for applications, financial aid, and scholarship requests.
• Follow the procedures of your guidance office for sending transcripts, mid-year reports and recommendations.
• Check deadlines for the AP tests.

• By mid April you should hear from schools that have not previously notified you of their decision.
• Keep files up-to-date in case an appeal is to be filed.
• Review offers with parents and counselor or consultant.
• Visit or revisit any schools necessary to confirm your decision.
• Common Reply date is May 1. Notify the school you plan to attend, and withdraw from those you will not attend.
• Financial aid candidates should receive their Student Aid Report (SAR) acknowledgement. Send signed original to the college of choice at time of notification of acceptance.
• Take AP exams and finals.

• Final grades/transcripts are sent to colleges.
• Commencement.