The halls are a little less crowded now that our seniors have started their internships, but our offices continue to hum as AP exams take place and students come by for meetings and to ask questions. Though the pace is different, we are actively engaged with our upcoming graduating classes. Our student-centered philosophy leads to many opportunities to engage with our students, whether meeting individually, conducting class meetings, discussing summer plans, or reviewing transcripts and fielding questions about next year's course selections. This time of year affords us the time to begin those all-important conversations that fuel the future and allow us to know the students with whom we'll be working in the coming months and years.

Our juniors are well into their search process, reflecting on their hopes and dreams and how to discern "fit" at colleges and universities that will best support their talents and interests. College visits have helped inform personal preferences as to geographical location, size of school, and urban vs. suburban or rural settings. Various standardized tests have been taken, with some still scheduled for the upcoming months. Meetings with us have been ongoing and have included discussions about steps to take for a productive summer, whether working, volunteering, traveling, or some combination thereof. Balance is important, however, and we encourage our students to take time to rest and relax, and to use the summer months to reconnect with those activities and interests which might have been put on the back burner during the academic year. Summer also affords a unique opportunity to enjoy some unstructured pursuits to include reading, writing (yes, it is a great idea to work on those essays), and time with friends and family.

For our sophomores and freshman, the message about summer is similar: use the time away from school to recharge, but also to learn a little more about yourself, your community, and the larger world around you.

We look forward to seeing everyone upon our return in mid-August, and we wish our graduating seniors the best of luck as they venture forth into the world.

- The College Counseling Team

Tips for Graduating Seniors & Their Parents

Transcript Reminder: All final transcripts will be sent to colleges by our office after graduation.

The transition to college comes with its own set of expectations and challenges, most of which relate to roommate and dorm selection, what clothes to pack, and which pictures you want to hang on the wall. Beyond worrying about how everything will fit in the car, parents should also be aware that dropping off their child at college signals an even greater transition; administratively, since your child has likely already turned 18 before arriving on campus, in the eyes of the school your child is an adult and will be treated accordingly. Don't be surprised when you don't receive the tuition bill; it has been sent to your child. And don't be surprised when you don't receive a grade report; it has been sent to your child. If you wish to receive this information, students need to sign a waiver that allows the school to copy you on communication related to tuition and grades.

Though the academic bubble that surrounds college often buffers students from "real world" realities, there are situations that warrant planning, "just in case." This article offers great advice in the event your child ends up needing medical care.

For those students already being treated for any health issues, we recommend that parents make contact with a doctor in the student's college town BEFORE they go to college. That way, the student is then set up with a doctor, the insurance is taken care of, and if there is a medical problem while at school, the student knows exactly who to call and what to do.

As our seniors embark on their college careers, we invite them to consider the question, "What matters to you?" Many schools offer programs to address this essential question, and this article provides a glimpse into one school's approach and the positive impact such reflection has on the college experience.

The year would not be complete without one more Mindfulness Moment. We hope our seniors will build upon the mindfulness practices and breathing exercises incorporated in each of this year's class meetings. For added inspiration, we recommend the blog post from the Mind and Life Institute "Utilizing Mindfulness Practice to Facilitate the Transition to College" written by two University of Virginia students.

Finally, contemplate the "Two Words for College Freshmen" as described by New York Times best-selling author Kelly Corrigan: stay loose.

Juniors

Summer Communication – Be on the lookout for an email from the College Counseling Office in mid June with important information about the upcoming year. Though our office will be open during the summer months, it operates with reduced staff. For any pressing concerns or questions that cannot wait until we are fully operational in mid-August, please reach out directly to Mrs. Sohne-Johnston.

Essay Tips – We recommend you keep a journal this summer to inform your essay options. Record what surfaces during the time you set aside for self-reflection, as well as your thoughts and impressions about the world around you. The journal can be as structured or unstructured as you like, but it should include reflections on what matters to you, experiences that have influenced who you are today, people who have had an impact on your life, and your hopes and dreams for the future and the person you would like to become. Spend time thinking about "the self" and your identity – thinking is an important pre-writing exercise and will likely lead you to some uncharted territory that has the potential to link nicely with your college essays. And don't worry, we will not ask to read your journal; it is a tool for you, and you will be the only one reading it. We do ask, however, that you return to school in August with a first draft of your selected essay prompt. Though this might feel like an onerous summer task, you will thank us later (we promise!). You can review the 2019 Common App essay prompts here as well as those on the 2019 Coalition Application. Happy writing!

SCOIR – As you continue to research schools (either online or by visiting), be sure to update SCOIR by entering any schools your learn about that interest you. By midsummer, junior year GPAs will be updated, and later in the summer, your college counselor will enter expected outcomes for the schools listed on your page.

Testing – As you research schools of interest and visit schools over the summer, be sure to pay attention to the testing each school requires (if any – some schools are test-optional) and plan accordingly. When it comes to testing, there is no "one size fits all" answer as to what schools require, so it is important to do your homework and make sure you have the testing you need to meet admission requirements.

Reminder – Do not let the fact you might not have heard about a school or recognize the name keep you from considering it. Do your research, visit if possible, and remain open to discovering schools not currently on your radar.

We hope you all enjoy your summer adventures, wherever they may lead! See you in August!