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Junior to Senior Year Comprehensive Package
Parents Guide to the College Admissions Process
The journey through the college admissions process is a transformative and often overwhelming experience, not just for our children but for us as parents. Navigating the maze of applications, standardized testing and multiple college essays requires a strategic approach and a supportive guide.
The college counseling process is a collaborative effort between parents, students, and dedicated professionals who specialize in guiding young minds toward higher education. From the early stages of high school, college counselors become invaluable allies, helping students chart their academic and extracurricular paths.
Parents seek reassurance in the expertise and insights that a professional advisor can provide during the college admissions time frame. Witnessing your high school student gain cavity and purpose under the mentorship of a college counselor is a gratifying experience knowing they are on the path to self discovery and personal growth.
The college admissions journey is an important chapter in both a student’s and a parent’s life. Most families understand that students will have a checklist that includes filling out college applications, taking an SAT exam and getting letters of recommendation. It can be a stressful year for both the student and their family. What most people don’t realize is that the high school years are providing a unique opportunity for students to learn about discovering who they are, where they want to go, and what they want to achieve. As parents, we often find ourselves alongside our children, navigating this complex and sometimes overwhelming process. What is the key to making this journey smoother and more manageable? A strategic approach with a trusted guide.
Enter college counselors— who become crucial partners in this journey. From the beginning of high school, these professionals offer expert advice on everything from course selection to extracurricular activities. Their insights help students build a well-rounded profile that aligns with their goals, making the admissions process far less daunting. Working with a college counselor provides a sense of reassurance and support for parents. Watching your teenager gain clarity and confidence in their academic and personal journey is incredibly rewarding. Under the counselor’s guidance, students improve their chances of getting into the college of their dreams and learn essential life skills like self-reflection and decision-making. The transformation is powerful—not just academically but personally, as they prepare for the next chapter of their lives.and staying organized will greatly contribute to a successful college application strategy. Additionally, early preparation ensures that students are well-prepared for the college application process, giving them a competitive edge and setting them up for long-term success.
Why Hire Greenhaus College Consulting
Greenhaus College Consulting is a top admissions consultancy helping students get into their top choice schools. We work as a team and share information with our families on the latest updates on standardized testing UC Admissions, application trends and help you sort out all of those academic questions during junior and senior year.
Students will work closely with their counselor to identify the best fit colleges and create a college list during their junior year. This will involve customizing the students’ college list criteria. It takes a seasoned counselor to tap into the students personality and help them match themselves to certain campuses and get excited about applying.
One of the primary benefits of college counseling is the structured approach it brings to what can be a chaotic process. Our college counselors assist in creating a timeline for extracurricular development, standardized testing, application submissions, and preparing the essays and other required documents. We not only eases the burden for a high school student but also provides a clear roadmap for parents to understand and support their child’s journey.
At Greenhaus College Consulting, our college counselors are dedicated to helping your students discover their passions and strengths. Through in-depth conversations, personality assessments, and thoughtful guidance, counselors aid students in identifying not only where they want to attend college but who they want to become in the future. With our expertise and support, students can navigate this journey with confidence and clarity.
How Can Greenhaus College Consulting help my high school student in their junior year?
The team at Greenhaus College Consulting has expertise that goes beyond simply navigating stellar applications. They are knowledgeable about the complexities of the application process and provide valuable guidance on how to craft compelling personal statements and essays. We match your student with a personal counselor that helps them prioritize each step during the junior year of high school.
The first step is to meet with students to get a sense of their goals and assess where they are in the process. As we meet with students on a regular basis we educate them about the admissions process and how they can put their best foot forward and make decisions that will have a lasting impact. This includes choosing the best essay topics and putting in the necessary time to stay on topic.
Parents appreciate the careful attention that our professional counselors offer to help their students present their best selves to admissions committees. The last two years of high school can be stressful for families, and it is a significant relief to know that your child is not navigating this crucial process alone. They are supported by experienced professionals who are dedicated to their success.It can be a huge relief to know that your child is not navigating this crucial process alone but supported by someone with a wealth of experience dedicated to their success.
Our Approach
Our team comprises top counseling, academic advising and essay coaching professionals. We partner your student with an expert educational consultant who will skillfully guide them in best approaching each area of the admissions process, starting with carefully identifying a curated college list, showcasing their strengths, and crafting powerful narratives. Students will be given a checklist of assignments to complete each month and stay on track.
Each mini-assignment is designed to unlock new insights and foster confidence as students achieve each milestone. Students will research majors, campus culture, clubs and internships that are available at the college level. During their counseling appointments they will share ideas with their counselor and track their progress. In addition to getting familiarized with a host of college campuses students will engage with virtual campus tours and reading student reviews. During the fall we will help students to show demonstrated interest by writing to colleges and inquiring about various opportunities to meet their local admissions reps at local college fairs and informational meetings.
In addition we will help our students to request interviews for their top choice schools and prepare a list of interview questions in advance.We partner your student with an educational consultant who will provide expert guidance on highlighting their strengths and writing the most compelling stories. Each mini assignment will bring about new learning, and students will gain confidence with each milestone they reach. Our team of educational consultants include experts in the field of teaching, counseling, academic advising, and essay coaches. Each mini assignment will bring about new learning, and students will gain confidence with each milestone they reach. While each student will go through the process at various times in the junior year we find the best approach is to start early.
Junior Year Advisement
Exploration:
When we first begin working with students, we like to spend some time helping them learn about themselves and how that will translate to their educational choices about college. The initial self-discovery phase is crucial for building a strong foundation for their future. By understanding their strengths, passions, and values, students can make more informed decisions. Working with students to set both short-term and long-term goals is key. Some of the tools we utilize include college surveys that help students align their interests, aspirations, and academic goals. This process ensures they embark on a path that supports their personal and professional growth.
Career Testing:
Greenhaus College Consulting utilizes The Strong Interest Inventory®, an assessment that helps students match their interests with educational and career goals by using an individual’s preferences in a variety of areas to aid them in discovering potential career options. This tool is especially helpful for high school students who are unsure about their future career paths. By identifying patterns in interests and aligning them with real-world professions, it provides valuable insights and guidance. The Strong Interest Inventory® helps students make more informed decisions, boosting confidence and helping them set clear, achievable goals for their future career journey.
Academic Planning
Getting a jumpstart on this process is imperative so that we have time to make changes in the student’s curriculum prior to the junior year. We will identify the UC requirements as well as how to prepare best for STEM programs and selective college admissions. Each student’s academic plan will be tailored towards their interests and goals. Expert advice is crucial in helping students make informed choices regarding their coursework. With the guidance of professionals, students can choose the right classes, build a strong academic foundation, and meet the rigorous requirements of top-tier universities. This early planning opens doors to selective admissions and sets students up for future success.
Testing Strategies and Timeline
Most students will usually take at least one practice SAT and ACT exam by their sophomore year or early in the junior year. Colleges will accept either the SAT or ACT and view both equally. We recommend that students decide on which test suits them best and prepare to work towards a test date. Students will be advised of test dates in advance and this will be part of the overall college checklist for junior year.
Student Activities:
Students will report their extracurriculars and volunteer work on their college applications in their senior year. Giving back to the community demonstrates passion, maturity, commitment and character. We provide worksheets for students to track their activities and help them begin writing descriptions for college applications early in the process. During our counseling sessions we will review the students activities and encourage them to add key details such as leadership roles and what they accomplished during their high school years.
Junior Year Curriculum
Developing a customized list of 15-25 colleges: Students will create a customized list of colleges to research and explore. Considering academic programs, location, campus size and culture and selectivity.
Refining the Student Activity Resume: Refining your student activity resume is essential to present a clear and compelling picture of your achievements, skills, and involvement.
College Applications for private and out of state schools: Students can begin working on their activities descriptions early in the junior year. Official college applications will open in August. Many schools are on the common application but some are on their own portal so we encourage students to prepare in advance.
UC Application: The UC application opens in August but we advise students to prepare their materials over the summer so they can get a jumpstart on the process. We will provide guidance on various application sections and utilize practice worksheets with the UC essay prompts.
Developing essay topics for the UC Application: The University of California (UC) application requires students to respond to four out of eight personal insight questions. These prompts are designed to help you share your personal experiences, perspectives, and achievements. We get started on these prompts during the late spring and early summer of junior year.
Essay topics for the Common Application: Getting prepared for the essay topics on the Common Application involves thoughtful reflection, brainstorming, planning, and effective writing. The Common Application provides seven essay prompts for the students to choose from.
Developing topics for supplemental essays: When developing topics for supplementary college essays, it’s important to choose subjects that allow you to showcase aspects of yourself not covered in the main application. These essays provide an opportunity for admissions officers to learn more about your personality, experiences, and values. We work very closely with our students when choosing their essay topics and developing their ideas.
Campus Visit Planning and Preparation: Planning a campus visit is a crucial step in the college selection process, as it provides you with first hand experience of the campus environment and helps you determine if it’s the right fit. For students who cannot do in person visits we encourage virtual information sessions and campus tours.
Developing an Action Timeline: Creating an action timeline for the college application process is crucial to ensure that you meet all deadlines and have ample time to prepare. Staying organized, meeting deadlines, and seeking guidance from your college advisor will set you up for success.
Targeted Guidance for Selective College Admissions
It’s important to focus on showcasing the students unique qualities, experiences and aspirations to the admissions office. The goal is to present a compelling narrative that sets you apart from other applicants. Our curriculum will be customized based on the students goals. Greenhaus College Consulting offers a Silver, Gold and Platinum packages that aligns with the students overall admissions goals.
Junior Year Curriculum for Selective Colleges
Application Strategies: Early Decision, Early Action and Restrictive Early Action – By applying early students will give themselves an opportunity to demonstrate their interest in a particular college and increase their admissions chances.
Summer Programs that align with intended major: Assistance in applying to programs that will help students learn skills they can apply to their college application.
Exploring ideas for Passion Projects that show character, creativity and leadership: Colleges are interested in personal interests and the impact that students can have on a campus community. Passion projects provide a unique opportunity to showcase your individuality and initiative.
Identifying Research Opportunities: Engaging in research projects showcases your initiative and curiosity. It signals to colleges that you are willing to go beyond standard coursework to explore and delve deeper into subjects that interest you.
Demonstrating Interest to your top choice colleges: Admissions officers want to admit students who are genuinely excited about attending their institution. Expressing interest through emails, interviews, or other communications helps convey your enthusiasm and passion for becoming a part of their academic community.
Interview Preparation: The interview allows you to explain your motivations for applying to the college, your chosen major, and your career aspirations. Providing thoughtful and well-articulated responses helps the admissions committee understand your goals and how they align with the college’s offerings.
Developing an application theme or spike and demonstrating this to colleges: Highlight key experiences, projects and achievements that best represent your abilities and character. These could include leadership roles, community service, internship, or other unique hobbies or talents.
Students will excel through our step-by-step process:
Tools and Resources for Student Success
How do I get started?
Interested the Junior to Senior Year Comprehensive Package? It all starts with the Greenhaus Consultation.
Contact us today at 1-858-204-0659 / 858-481-6045 or send us an email at collegeprepbygina@gmail.com
Fill out the form on our Contact page and send us your intake including a current transcript. We will get back to you with the next steps.
858-481-6045 Office Phone – or send a text message to 858-204-0659