College Counseling at Nora School
Dear Friends,
Our college preparatory program is about more than vigorous classes to develop critical thinking skills and a dynamic transcript. Throughout the Junior and Senior year multiple activities and processes help our students find the next best step after high school. Ours is a highly individualized, gentle approach that gives every student the opportunity to envision their life after high school. The Class Advisors and Scott Madden, College Counselor, work together to provide guidance, support and information…so much information!
Our unsettled and disrupted year has delayed the start of our program that usually occurs in October of the Junior Year with a two night overnight adventure to test the boundaries of our comfort zone. We know that the next two years have added responsibilities and academic requirements, so building strong bonds with classmates, and testing inner-reserves of untapped strength set the stage. We’re offering a compacted Junior Retreat to the Class of 2022 next Friday. Also in October, Nora Juniors take the PSAT, a practice run for the real thing, should they choose to sit for the SAT or ACT later in the year.
In January, we hold a College Information Night for Junior families and anyone else who wants to test the waters. This event explains the process of college visits, applications and standardized testing. But how do you know which colleges to visit?
Most colleges are only offering in-person tours to already accepted students. So for a while longer, visiting colleges through vamped up online resources are the way to go. Starting in February, Nora Juniors have one on one interviews with Scott to help offer ideas for which colleges to look at. Parent and student meetings can be scheduled following this interview to talk more specifically about the application process. Parents, simply reply to the email he sent inviting you to a meeting to talk through specific college choices for your child.
After a virtual tour, Spring Break and Summer Vacation are great times to drive through colleges to get an idea of what different schools look and feel like. Usually, Nora School sponsors a day to tour local colleges with the Juniors.
The Senior Retreat in the Fall of 2021 brings seniors on actual college tours. This overnight trip cements class identity, walks numerous college campuses, and ends with a rafting adventure. Some time is spent in college libraries to work on a first draft of the college essay. After returning from this trip, Seniors spend three days a week in College Lab to work on their applications throughout the fall.
We encourage everyone to apply to a least one school, even those who intend to take a gap year. Going through the process with the support of all of us here, and getting a few recommendations in place from current teachers, makes the process that much easier for when you are ready to apply…It’s College Preparatory!
Peace,
Mara