Calvary students are prepared for the road less traveled….

Stacey Mell
The prep road begins in the spring of a student’s eighth grade year with the rising ninth grade orientation meeting, designed to provide critical curriculum information, explanation of the differences in course types (AP, Pre-AP, honors and college prep), importance of community service, and selection of classes.  A second orientation is held in the spring of the junior year for rising seniors to start finalizing college lists, learn how to schedule college visits, course rigor preparation, HOPE/Zell scholarships, how to complete the FAFSA forms, the importance of the college essay, and many more topics.

Round table meetings are held during the winter of a student’s sophomore and junior year to assist with developing the college list, planning college visits, understanding the FAFSA, and how to begin the scholarship search.

A representative for Georgia Student Finance Commission is scheduled to visit the freshmen classes in the fall of each year to set up their Gafutures accounts. Gafutures accounts are used for students to learn about colleges, possible career options (students are able to take a free interest inventory), and students are able to apply to many Georgia colleges through the Gafutures site. The scholarship form needed for the HOPE/Zell scholarships can also be found on the Gafutures site. This site provides a plethora of information for students and parents. Visit this site often, and use it wisely to assist in college planning.

The Director of Guidance meets with rising 8th, 9th, and 10th graders during their English classes to plan their course schedule for the following year. The different level of courses are explained in detail, and thorough explanations of how to calculate one’s GPA and the importance of a GPA for college opportunities are also provided. Individual meetings are held with rising juniors and seniors for schedule planning. The transcripts are checked and double checked to make sure all curriculum requirements have been met, and advisement is given based on what future major the student is interested in.   

Individual senior family meetings are scheduled for September - November for last-minute college planning, discussion of test scores, GPA, and the best college fit. Application guidance and assistance is given to all seniors who bring their applications and essays to the Director of Guidance. Producing a perfect (or near perfect) application is of utmost importance. Spend the time to get it right - remember you must market yourself to your greatest potential. For some colleges, you are applying against 30,000 or more students. This year we added a college essay assistant who comes in two days a week and is available for three hours each day to assist with essay writing. The essay is a crucial element of the application - please take advantage of the assistance that Calvary provides.

Calvary administers the Suite of Assessments to current ninth grades (PSAT 8/9) and tenth and eleventh graders (PSAT/NMSQT) in mid-October on a national test date. The PSAT is a great practice for the SAT, one of the college admissions tests. The Director of Guidance provides a thorough explanation of the PSAT and what to expect to all ninth graders during their English class. Score reports are distributed in mid-January during English classes to all those that took and paid for the exam. The score reports provide so much information to assist in test improvement, and all that is explained to each student.

Helping students achieve their collegiate goals is very important to the college counseling team at Calvary Day School. Preparation begins at an early age as we develop the whole child spiritually, socially, and intellectually.  Even with all the assistance provided, the college process can be overwhelming. Help is a phone call, email, or meeting away.  Reach out and ask all the questions that you have...college guidance will be there for you.
 
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