Small Group College Advising 2025
Small Group College Advising 2025
A small cohort of current high school juniors will learn how to build a strong college list, write standout essays, create a compelling resume/brag sheet, complete the Common App and gain confidence and tools to make the college application more streamlined and successful. In addition to sessions and workshops, two 1:1 meetings will be offered to each student to review their college list and discuss my feedback on their Common App essay.
We will have 8 one-hour group sessions between Feb 2024 and Nov 2024 PLUS the Common App Workshop in early June. I will hold two 1:1 sessions with each student. The first will be to assess your preliminary college list and the second will be to discuss my review/suggestions for your Common App essay.All sessions will be recorded so that you can watch the video if you are unable to attend one or more of the group meetings. Most sessions will be offered on Sundays from 4pm - 5pm Central.
Brainstorming for the main essay will take place IN a WORKSHOP for all students on May 17, 2024.
I will host office hours on two Saturdays in July and August for students to “drop in” and ask application or writing questions.
Schedule of Sessions
Feb 18 Group launch. College admission overview, how colleges review applicants, how to research colleges through visits, website review and virtual information sessions.
March 3 Building a balanced list. Understanding how your academic profile fits into the context of various colleges and determining how you compare to other students who applied/were admitted in the prior cycle.
April 7 Review/discuss activity list and expanded resume and suggestions for summer activities to boost resume.
May 17 Essay brainstorming, writing instruction, and best practices for common app and supplemental essays
June 2 Common App workshop. Students will open and start the Common App. Plan on 1.5 hours. This workshop will start at 11am.
June 30 Short answer and main essay work during workshop time. Q&A on essays and expanded resume.
July 21 Discussion of ALL the supporting documents schools will need. SRAR will be introduced which is required by numerous colleges. Brag sheet, letters of recommendation, official transcripts, official test scores.
Aug 4 Rollover of Common App and understanding additional school essay questions. Review of deadlines and where each student is re: writing. Applications are officially open for submission.
Sept 15 How to check the school portals after submission. Review of sending in supporting documents. Discussion of financial aid, housing deposits. Reminder to LINK SRAR if required to the school portals.
Nov 10 Final workshop. What to do if you are deferred, how to appeal a decision or write a letter of continued interest. How to consider alternate pathways. Student Q&A