Preparation and Counseling of Juniors

The individualized college counseling process begins in February of the junior year. Each junior prepares an eight-page questionnaire covering personal data, athletics, employment, and other extra-curricular interests, and basic criteria distinguishing various types of colleges and universities.

This information is reviewed in depth, along with the student's academic history, courses for senior year, and standardized testing results and plans, in the course of a 30- to 90-minute initial conference with the college counselor. Following this meeting, the counselor prepares a summary of these discussions and a list of 15 - 35 suggested colleges for the student to contact for information. These reports are forwarded to the student, the parents, and the student's advisor, together with an invitation to the parents to meet with the student and counselor during the spring.

In early April, a "College Night" is held on campus for all juniors and their parents. This group information session is addressed by the college counselor and an admission officer from a major college or university, who welcome all questions from the families in attendance. Subjects of general concern, including the search and application processes, colleges' selection criteria, the relative importance of SAT'S, essays, and nonacademic factors, interviewing, financial aid, and adjustment factors, are considered according to the interests of the attendees.

During April and May, the college counselor meets privately on one or more occasions with each junior and his/her parents to discuss the individual's special circumstances. It is expected that, prior to this talk, the student will have carried out basic research on the colleges recommended in the first meeting. This Spring meeting usually addresses the student's strengths and weaknesses as an applicant, reviews financial aid procedures as applicable, assesses the relative selectivity of the colleges of interest to the student, and plans a workable itinerary for summer visits and interviews. Maximum emphasis is placed upon summer visiting due to the pressures of the fall semester.

Other sources of information available to juniors include attendance at group sessions with an unspecified number of the 70+ college representatives who visit Hamden Hall each fall; attendance at the Hartford National College Fair in April via school transportation (except in 2005, when it occurs during a vacation); and unlimited additional talks with the college counselor.

Juniors are strongly encouraged to take the PSAT in October, the SAT (in March or May), and either the ACT or three SAT : Subject Matter Tests in June.  The college counselor will consult with each family on the advisability of private test-preparation for the individual student.

Counseling and Support of Seniors

Counseling of seniors consists of one formal meeting with each student in September and an unlimited number of additional formal and informal contacts with the student and/or family as each may request. The counselor endeavors to assure that each senior has properly examined and considered each of his/her choices for application; has chosen an adequately risk-balanced group of colleges; is aware of deadlines and filing procedures and requirements; presents all worthwhile supporting facts and credentials; and obtains constructive criticism of the application essay(s) from a qualified faculty member. Each senior will also schedule one further formal meeting, during which all completed college applications will be reviewed for completeness and accuracy by the counselor. Further, informal conferences are encouraged as needed and unlimited in number.

The college counselor writes a one- to two-page school recommendation for each senior, is responsible for the preparation, accuracy, and provision of transcripts, and prepares the school's academic profile to be attached to each student's credentials. This documentation is mailed to every college to which a senior applies. There is no limit on the number of applications nor any charge for an excessive number.

During February and March, the counselor speaks with appropriate personnel at a number of the colleges to which seniors have made application for purposes of supporting candidacies or adding supplemental information. As decisions are received, the counselor assists each senior individually in dealing with multiple admissions, wait-list situations and denials of admission. Every effort is made to assure timely deposit at one and only one college by the Common Reply Date, May 1.