I n focus
I n focus: 2022-2023
Reducing the Stress
Applying to colleges and universities is traditionally considered to be a stressful process. However we often hear from Whitfield families that the College Counseling Department makes the experience very low-stress. How do you accomplish that?
• Process is managed by the College Counseling Department
AMANDA: Families who have children at multiple schools have a very unique perspective, especially when they’ve had one student go through the college choice experience elsewhere. What we often hear is, “At my other child’s school, I had to do so much of the work.” At Whitfield, we take those tasks off of the plates of our families because we want them to enjoy the experience of choosing a college together with their child.
• College Choice Experience Program is a purposefully-designed, multi-year process • Students work ahead of deadlines
EBONY: The program is designed to alleviate stress. During junior year we work with students on the bulk of their supplemental application forms, including essays and resumes. Then our summer workshops for rising seniors really lay the groundwork for collecting and finalizing all of the necessary application materials. By the time students begin their senior year, they are ready to submit their applications. 100% of the class of 2023 completed at least one application submission by November 1, and many of them were already finished with all of their applications.
AMANDA: Prior to our initial meeting with each junior family, we have done an enormous amount of preparation. We have curated a list of schools that is tailored for each student and includes three different categories: foundation, target, and reach. A foundation school is one that a student will get into based on admission requirements. A target school typically has about a 50% acceptance rate. And, the reach school typically has between a 20-30% acceptance rate. During the meeting we discuss each school on the list and develop a good sense of preferences.
PROGRAM OVERVIEW Middle School
Senior Year
Awareness of college selection process begins for students and parents
Application logistics • Selective college admission: how it works and demonstrated interest • Letters of recommendation • Financial aid & scholarships • Application completion workshops • Line-by-line review of all application materials • Mindfulness and stress management workshops • Making a final decision • Transition to College Workshops: What to pack for a dorm room, understanding college lingo, self-care, the difference between high school & college academics
Freshman Year Understanding the Whitfield transcript • The importance of getting involved • Introduction to Naviance • Setting SMART goals Sophomore Year Revisiting SMART goals • Standardized testing and college admission • Practice ACT & SAT testing • Career & Major Exploration Program begins • Alumni conversations • University field trip • Establish a one-on-one connection with your college counselor Junior Year Standardized testing and college admission continues • Practice ACT & SAT testing • Career & Major Exploration Program continues • Alumni conversations • University field trip • Visiting colleges • College Knowledge coursework begins, with a special emphasis on: Researching colleges, crafting an activity list, brainstorming and drafting a personal statement, beginning work on the Common Application
4
Grades 9-12 College Counseling Speaker Series: Athletics and the College Choice Experience, International Students and the College Choice Experience, Navigating the Ever-Changing Standardized Testing Landscape, Financial Aid, Portfolio-Based Programs (Musical Theater, Fine Arts, Music, Dance, Theater), First Generation College Students, Summer Programming • Curated kit of resources: scholarship lists, summer program opportunities, need-based financial aid resource, free ACT prep (strategy videos and practice exams) • Personalized college tour itineraries • Guidance on all elements of the college choice experience
How do you measure the success of your program?
Signs of Success
EBONY: Each year our office hosts the Career and Major Exploration Program,
• Career & Major Exploration Program
which connects sophomores and juniors with Whitfield alumni in a wide variety of fields. The 2023 program featured eight virtual sessions with 24 alumni. Students signed up for two sessions during their advisory periods. The stories that our alumni shared about how their Whitfield experience prepared them for college and beyond were so impactful, and demonstrate not only the success of the program, but the success of Whitfield School. AMANDA: We have a very low transfer rate for our alumni. I think that’s a testament to the work that we do here. We guide students to start with the mission and values of the institution they are considering. We want each student to find a school where they will feel at home and become a part of that community for the next four years.
• Testimonials from graduates and their families • Low transfer rate amongst graduates
COREY AND SHEILA JONES (TARYN ’24) Sheila and Corey were initially overwhelmed by the thought of helping their daughter, Taryn, navigate the college admissions process. But after meeting with the Whitfield School's College Counseling Department, they quickly realized that they didn't need to worry. "The majority of the work is taken care of within the program by the students, with guidance and direction from the college counselors," said Sheila. "From our very first meeting with Amanda, it was such a relief to see what had already been taken care of." Corey agreed, adding that Amanda "already knew Taryn at a very deep level." "She had three buckets of schools, places that would be a good fit for Taryn, ready for our consideration," he said. "It was amazing." Sheila and Corey also appreciated the fact that the college counselors get to know their students personally. This, they say, helps the counselors make better informed decisions about which schools are a good fit. "We see Taryn one way, and you guys see who she is at school," said Corey. "Amanda is able to give us advice on how to broach a topic with Taryn that we might not be able to do ourselves." The family also praised the level of communication they received from the college counselors.
“ ”
The service is superior to other schools. -Corey Jones, parent
"Just the opportunity, as a parent, to email Amanda on some thoughts or some updates (and you know) the level of response that we get is amazing," said Corey. "This is obviously a stressful time period, but the ability to have someone say 'OK, I got you,' so we don't even have to worry about it, just let it go." Sheila and Corey are so impressed with the Whitfield School's College Counseling Program that they recommend it to other parents. "When we talk to people about our experience and what it's been like for Taryn, they don't believe it because it sounds like it's a fairy tale," said Sheila. "But you don't really know until you go through it." Corey added, "The service is superior compared to other schools."
5
