Academics
College Counseling

The Process

Begin the Exploration

Episcopal's residential community provides opportunities for the college counselors to work closely with students. As a result, the counselors know the students well, and can advocate strongly and work diligently to convey each student's strengths.

Students are encouraged to consider a wide range of possible college choices, exploring everything from what fields of study interest them to what type of campus community appeals to them, ultimately leading towards discovering the best match between student and college.

Students are encouraged to take advantage of the College Counseling Office resources at any time. Our formal college planning process takes place in the following stages:

List of 4 items.

  • Freshman Year

    The top priority freshman year is for students to concentrate on academics and a smooth transition to boarding school life. In the spring, 9th grade students will work with their advisor to develop a 10th grade course plan and explore personal interests and activities at EHS. 

    FALL 
    • Invited and encouraged to attend the College Fair (mid-October).
    SPRING 
    • Work with advisor to develop sophomore course plan.
    • Explore personal interests and activities at EHS.
  • Sophomore Year

    Fall Semester
    • Take the PSAT.
    • Consider taking the practice ACT offered at Episcopal (optional).
    Spring Semester 
    • Attend 10th grade class meeting to introduce students to Scoir - a comprehensive website designed to help students and parents explore colleges and careers. College counselors also use this system to track and analyze college admission data. Each sophomore student and parent is provided a personal access code and instructions for logging into Scoir.
    • Work with advisor to develop junior year course plan.
    • Meet with a college counselor.
    • Explore summer opportunities that complement your interests and passions.
  • Junior Year

    September 
    • Meet with visiting college representatives during free periods. Typically, representatives from more than 75 colleges come to campus and meet with interested students in the fall.
    October
    • Take the PSAT.
    • Consider taking the practice ACT offered at Episcopal (optional).
    December
    • Attend the College Counseling class meeting to review functionality of Scoir and the standardized testing timeline.
    January
    • Attend the College Counseling class meeting. Topics include researching colleges, visiting campuses, and planning your standardized testing timeline. There is also a tutorial on Scoir and its web-based college research and test prep resources.
    • Juniors receive individual college counselor assignments. 
    • Students complete the Junior Brag Sheet and schedule their first meeting with their college counselor.
    • Develop a plan for when to take standardized tests (SAT, SAT Subject Tests, and/or the ACT). 
    • If interested, sign up for the optional on-campus SAT/ACT prep class.
    February
    • Students schedule the first meeting with their college counselor if they have not already done so.
    • Attend the optional on-campus SAT/ACT prep class.
      March/April
      • Consider visiting colleges over spring break.
      • Attend College Counseling programs and presentations offered throughout the spring semester.
      • Attend College Counseling workshop during Spring Family Weekend (students and parents).
      May
      • Participate in College Essay Writing classes led by the college counselors and English faculty.
      • Discuss with your college counselor which teachers are best suited to write your letters of recommendation. Request recommendations and complete class reflections for the teachers who agree to write on your behalf.
      • Attend the Senior Panel led by members of the senior class. Hear firsthand the inside scoop on the college process from our seniors' perspectives.
      Summer before Senior Year
      • Visit colleges and, when possible, schedule interviews with admission offices.
      • Continue to explore your interests through a summer job, volunteering, and reading for pleasure. 
      • Carve out time to work on your applications. The Common Application is available August 1 and other college applications are typically available between July 1 and September 1. 
      • Write a polished draft of your Common Application essay.
    • Senior Year

      Fall of Senior Year 
      • Continue to work on the Common Application 
      • Complete your final draft of the Common Application essay and required supplemental essays.  
      • Work to make the best grades possible as you begin your senior year.
      • Meet with your college counselors early and often.
      • Attend required senior class college counseling meetings and workshops.
      • Meet with college representatives visiting EHS.
      • Visit colleges throughout the fall. Students may be excused from two days of classes to visit colleges. Fall Break in October is a good time to visit a college.
      • Review colleges' application deadlines and other requirements (scholarship deadlines, art supplements, etc.)
      Spring of Senior Year 
      • College Counselors will submit mid-year grades to colleges on behalf of seniors.
      • Students are encouraged to work with counselors to express demonstrated interest where important and valued. 
      • All colleges will release admission decisions on or before April 1.
      • If you have been placed on a waitlist, meet with your college counselor to frame an individualized waitlist strategy. Your counselor will be contacting colleges and advocating on your behalf.
      • Inform the college in which you will enroll by May 1, the National Candidate's Reply Date.

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