Josh Bottomly, Director of College Counseling and Lisa Clay, Casady’s newest counselor
One of Casady’s unique strengths is its College Counseling program. Equipped with a staff knowledgeable of the world’s best universities, a plan can be tailored to an individual student’s interests and aspirations to ensure they identify the best college fit. The College admissions process begins in earnest in the 11th grade, but steps can be taken as early as 9th grade to ensure the best chances of admission to a college of choice. Our counselors offer the following tips students in the Upper Division.
What CollegeBound JUNIORS Should Be Doing • Read the College Bound Cyclone Field Guide cover‐to‐cover (linked on College Counselor web page) in preparation for College Seminar sessions. • Attend Junior College Night on Wednesday, January 25th. • Attend and complete all assignments during the six College Seminar sessions. • Fill out Junior Questionnaire (one survey for student; one survey for parent) on Naviance. • Make an appointment for a student‐parent‐college counselor meeting in the winter/spring (after submitting the surveys). • Take at least one round of both the ACT and SAT I in the winter/spring. Recommend two rounds of tests that best suits your student. • Check with highly selective schools to identify how many SAT II Subject Tests are “recommended” or “required.” • Plan to take 2‐3 SAT II Subject Tests on June 2 test date. • Make plans for college visits in the spring, summer and fall. • Parents: Talk to a parent who has just been through the college process; ask for advice, insight, do’s/don’ts. Students do the same with current seniors. • Use the new “net price calculators” on college web sites to anticipate financial costs.
1. Begin mapping out your curriculum plan for all four years in the Upper School. 2. Aim for Breadth and Depth:
• Do the best you can in each academic class; these grades really matter.
four years in five core subjects, moving upward to the next level of rigor (English, math, science, history, and foreign language)[Selective colleges aren’t looking for passion on the transcript; they are looking for appropriate level of challenge + consistent performance) 3. Become involved in leadership roles in your activities; take advantage of leadership opportunities available to you. (“To whom much is given much is required”) 4. Work hard in all your courses. This will improve your ACT score. Read more. This will improve your PSAT and SAT scores. 5. Take the PSAT in October for experience with standardized testing and to evaluate your progress. For more tips, visit the College Counseling web page at www.casady.org.
• Identify two core academic teachers from this year who could write a recommendation on your behalf. • Keep an open mind to colleges/universities that you “may never have heard of before” that your college counselor may think is an excellent fit. • Keep the overarching philosophy in front of you: Think Best College Fit. • Senior Courses: Aim for breadth and depth in course selections. Recommend five core courses in the next level of rigor. • Pursue leadership opportunities in extracurricular activities. • Use summer to work, play and rest. Do at least one thing that you love.
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Planning for College 9th and 10th Grade
• Return to school with a finalized college list that includes “Reach”, “Target”and “Likely” schools that are appropriate to your credentials (Rule of Thumb: “Eight is enough”).