get to know your high school counselor

While your school counselor is there for you if you ever have a problem, he is also there to assist you with college planning. Be sure to make the most of your counselor's help.
 

Why Should You Get to Know Your Counselor?

Your school counselor plays a big role in helping you with the college planning process. Your counselor can:

• Help you determine your abilities and interests in future educational and occupational choices.
• Make sure you select the right courses and are on the appropriate track for the kind of post-secondary education and occupation(s) you would like to pursue.
• Help you in selecting and registering for appropriate college admissions tests, and then explain the results of these tests.
• Encourage you to participate in college fairs and financial aid workshops.
• Give you information on different schools (entrance requirements, curricular offerings, costs, etc.) and occupations.
• Encourage you to visit college campuses.
• Teach you about early action and early decision admission programs.
• Help you create a timeline, so you won't miss any deadlines associated with the admissions process.
• Write letters of recommendation for you.
• Help you develop interviewing skills and encourage you to participate in college admission interviews.
• Give you information about financial aid, such as scholarships, grants, and student loans.
• Assist or help you find assistance in filling out the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA).
• Help you prepare for your transition to college.

How Can You Get to Know Your Counselor?

Because your school counselor can play such a critical role in the college planning process, it is important that the two of you get to know each other. Be sure to:

• Visit your school counselor early. You should develop a relationship with your counselor during your freshman year of high school. This will give your counselor sufficient time to get to know you and your family, and therefore let you know about any college information or pre-college enrichment programs that come up along the way.
• Visit your counselor often. Be sure to visit your counselor at least twice a year during your freshman and sophomore years. Beginning your junior year, you will want to start visiting your counselor a little more often, as college preparation becomes more critical. Visit your counselor at least once a month during your senior year to keep him updated and to ask any questions that may come up.
• Open up to your counselor. In order for your counselor to be able to assist you to the best of his ability and provide a quality recommendation for you, he needs to know who you are. Provide him with a list of your extracurricular activities, jobs, volunteer experiences, etc. Let him know what kind of occupation you are thinking of pursuing. Give him a list of schools that interest you.

Your school counselor is there to assist you in planning for college. However, keep in mind that you shouldn't let your counselor (or your parents, for that matter) do all the work. As the student, you need to be actively involved in planning for your future. Don't forget to send a thank-you note to your counselor at the end of your senior year.