Description of AAC Counseling
The Academy’s College Advising Office helps guide each student through the college admissions process. Informally, that process begins when a student enters high school. From that moment forward, the College Counselor works closely with faculty advisors as they help students choose appropriately challenging classes.
Students begin working formally with the College Counselor during the second semester of their junior year. At this point, the Office encourages students to reflect on their own interests, talents, and goals, and then to research and explore the colleges that will foster those abilities and aspirations. Advice and guidance are provided through frequent one-on-one meetings with students during this self-evaluation and research part of the process. Once a student’s list of schools is finalized, the focus of these meetings turns toward the applications themselves, followed by the final selection when acceptance letters are in hand.
The College Counselor also serves as a liaison to college admission offices, promoting an understanding of The Academy and of each of our students to the colleges, and sharing with the Academy community important information about college admission trends and procedures. The Academy believes firmly that students must play the lead role throughout the college application process. It is, however, a collaborative effort between the College Counselor, students, and their families, and The Academy invites and welcomes parents to play an active role as well. A college information evening is held for parents of juniors each winter and for the parents of seniors each fall. Regular information sessions and one-on-one conversations throughout the junior and senior years allow us to work together in the best interests of each student.
