College Counseling Handbook
Mrs. Elizabeth Eshleman, Director of College Counseling
Mission Statement
DevonPreparatorySchoolisaprivate,Catholic,collegeprepschool,gradessixtotwelve,focused ontheholisticeducationofyoungmenforlife.
The Devon Prep Identity
DevonPreparatorySchoolissingularlyfocusedonpreparingyoungmennotjustforcollege,butfor theentiretyoftheirlives.Byoperatingourschoolatthespeed,intensity,andstandardsofreallife, ouryoungmenarewell-positionedtosucceedandbeleadersfortheirlivesandcallingsbeyond DevonPrep.
Weeducateandinspireourstudentsbyholdingthemaccountabletothehighestacademicand moralstandards.ThroughthesupportoftheentireDevonPrepcommunity,studentslearnhowto demandhighstandardsfromthemselves.
Atthesametime,weunderstandthestressesarigorousenvironmentcancreateforouryoung men.TheDevonPrepcommunityiscommittedtotheemotionalwell-beingofourstudents.
Throughtheteachingofcopingskills,stressmanagement,andcreatingatrustingenvironment wherestudentscanshareconcerns,studentslearnhowtonavigatethechallengesoflifeina constructive,healthyway.
Academics,athletics,andextra-curricularactivitiesserveto:
• Challengestudentsinanurturingwaytostepoutsidetheircomfortzones,learnmoreabout themselves,andtheircapabilities
• Createanenvironmentwherestudentsdemandofthemselveshighexpectationsand standards
• Developanintellectualcuriosityoftheworldandhaveastrongmoralandethicalcompass tobothanchorandguidethem
The Key Principles that fulfill the Devon Prep Identity
• OurCatholic,Piaristcenteredtraditionensuresthehighestpriorityiseducatingthetotal youngman(intellectually,spiritually,physically,andemotionally)
• DevonPrep’sintimate,butdiverse,studentbodypopulationisastrengthandanadvantage. Facultyandstaffgettoknoweachstudentonanindividuallevel,theschoolcanmake adjustmentsandadaptionsmorequicklythanlarger,slowerinstitutions,andwecanfostera deepersenseofschoolcommunity.
• DevonPrepisarigorous,worldclassacademicinstitution.Ourkeydifferentiatorisourfocus onofferingthehighestqualityeducationthroughachallenging,cuttingedgecurriculum taughtbyawell-credentialedfacultywithadeeppersonalalignmenttoDevonPrep’s mission.Weteachfacultyandstudentstofocusonthelearningprocess,notjustthe outcomes.Byfocusingonthelearningprocess,studentsincreaseattentionandfocus, developcriticalthinkingskills,andpracticetruelearning.
• Athleticsandextra-curricularactivitiesservetosupplementandcomplementacademic learningbybuildingawell-roundedperson.
• Wewillusetoolsandtechnologytoenablestudentsandfacultyaccesstothebestlearning andteachingvehicles.Toolsandtechnologywillbeevaluatedtoensuretheyserveour learningprocessandnotreplacetheprocess.
College Counseling Program
UponenteringDevonPrep,manystudentsarealreadybeginningtodevelopthepersonal motivationtosucceedsotheymaygotothecollegeoftheirchoice. Ourcurriculumisstructuredso thateverygraduatewillmeetcourserequirementsatcollegesanduniversitiesthroughoutthe UnitedStates.TheCollegeCounselingProgramatDevonPrephasbeendesignedtoempowerthe youngpersonsohecanhavesuccessthroughthecollegeexplorationsandapplicationprocesses. TheCollegeCounselingProgramhasenjoyedconsiderablesuccess.100%ofourgraduatescontinue theireducationatafour-yearinstitutionofhigher-levellearning.
TheCollegeCounselingProgramisavailabletoallstudentsintheUpperSchool. Duringfreshman andsophomoreyears,studentswillhavetheopportunitytomeetininformal,smallgroupstoplan andlearnabouttheimportantfactorsusedinthecollegeadmissionprocess. Theformalprogram beginsintheJunioryear,whentheDirectorofCollegeCounselinghostsaninformationsessionfor studentsandparentsonthecollegeexplorationandselectionprocess,standardizedtesting programs,andtheapplicationprocess. Atthissession,familiesreceiveanadditionalcollege guidancemanual,designedtohelpthestudenttoselecttherightcollegeinatimelymanner.From JunioryearthroughearlySenioryearoftheUpperSchool,studentshavepersonalappointmentsin whichtheDirectorofCollegeCounselinghelpsthestudenttoexplorehisinterestsandoptions. Parentsarerequiredtoattendthefirstappointmentandencouragedtoattendallothermeetings.
Inadditionto1x1meetings,Juniorswillhavebuiltintotheirscheduleaoncepercycle“Junior CollegeCounselingSeminar”beginninginthesecondsemesterofjunioryear. Thissmallgroup settingwillallowstudentstolearnandcollaborateontimelycollegecounselingtopics. Seniorswill continuetomeetinsmallgroupsettinginhis“CollegeCounselingSeminar”sessionsduringthefall ofhisSenioryear. SeniorswillmeetwiththeDirectoroncepercycle.
College Search
Indoingyourcollegesearch,it’simportanttonotethattherearemanywonderfulcollegesto choosefrom.Youmayfindonethatisperfectforyou,oryoumayfindseveral.Indecidingwhat collegestoconsider,keepanopenlineofcommunicationwithyourcollegecounselorandparents. It’simportantthateveryoneisonthesamepagethroughoutthecollegesearchprocess.
HerearesomecollegesearchsitesthattheCollegeCounselingDepartmentrecommendstogetyou started:
• www.petersons.com
• www.princetonreview.com
• www.collegeboard.org
• www.naviance.com
Some things to keep in mind during your college search
Size:Doyouwantabigschoolwithmanyoptions? Asmallschoolwithlotsofpersonalattention? Somethinginbetween? Doyouwantlargelecturesorsmallerseminar-styleclasses?
Location:Whatpartofthecountry? Doyouwanttobeinacity,smalltown,suburbanorrural environment? Howfarareyouwillingtogofromhome?
Academics:Doesthecollegehavethemajoryouwant? Ifyou’renotsureofyourmajor,what optionsareavailableforundecidedstudents? Arethereinternships,researchorforeignstudy opportunities? Whatarethequalificationsoftheteachers?
Activities:Isthereaspecificactivity(club,sport,etc.)thatyouwanttopursueincollege? Whatis theretodoontheweekends? AreyouinterestedinparticipatinginGreekLike? Howvastistheir intramuralsprogram?
Campus atmosphere:Whatkindofrapportisthereamongstudentsandfaculty? Visitthecampus and,ifyoucan,eatinthedininghall,sleepinaresidencehallandattendaclass.
The Interview:Thisisyourchancetopresentyourselfinyourbestlighttotheadmissionsofficers. Doyourresearch:goontothecollege’swebsite,talktoalumni,bereadywithquestionsandbe readytoanswerquestionsinawaythatwillbringanotherpositivefacettoyourapplication.
Cost:Keepinmindthecostofaschool. Whilescholarshipsandfinancialaidmaybeavailable,will theybeenoughtorealisticallyallowyoutoattend? Howmuchdebtareyouwillingtotakeonfor thecollegeinvestment?
The Application Process
What Devon Prep Sends
OurCollegeCounselingDepartmentwillsendyourapplicationcredentialselectronicallyvia Naviance(ortheinstitutionspecifictechnology). Witheachapplication,thefollowingitemsare sent:
• Transcript
• CollegeCounselorletterofrecommendation
• Counselorform(s)
• Teacherletter(s)ofrecommendation
• Teacherform(s)
• Schoolprofile
Inorderforustosendoutthetranscript,youmustcompleteandsubmitTranscriptReleaseForm (googleform)foreachcollegeyouapplyto. Thisisawaynotonlytokeeptrackofapplicationsbut alsoservesasanofficialtranscriptreleasetothecolleges. Inaddition,studentswillberequiredto keeptheirNavianceaccountsactiveandup-to-date
Common Application (www.commonapp.org)
StudentapplyingtoinstitutionsusingtheCommonApplication(www.commonapp.org)willlink theirCommonAppaccountwiththeirNavianceaccount. TheCommonAppisanapplication acceptedbyover900collegesacrossthecountry.Itsimplifiestheprocesssothatyouonlyfillout onebasicapplicationandessay.Youmayhavesomesupplementsrequiredbycertainuniversities, butthebodyoftheapplicationneedonlybefilledoutonce.CollegemembersoftheCommon ApplicationgiveequalconsiderationtotheCommonApplicationversustheirinstitutional application.
The Coalition Application (www.coalitionforcollegeaccess.org)
TheCoalitionApplicationisacompetitortotheCommonApplication. Hundredsofcollegesand universitiesusetheCoalitionApplication. LiketheCommonApp,theCoalitionApplicationwill allowthestudenttocompleteonesetofdatathatcanthenbetransmittedtomultiplecollegesand universitiesacrossthenation.
Regardlessofwhichapplicationthestudentchoosestouse,collegesanduniversitieswill acceptancethemequallywithoutfavoroveroneovertheother. Thestudentshouldchoosethe applicationthatiseasiestforhimandwillbestrepresenthimtotheAdmissionsCommittees.
Finally, make sure that you meet the deadlines thattheCollegeCounselingDepartmenthas posted.Meetingdeadlinesisimportantinthecollegeapplicationprocess,aswellasincollegeand inlife.
What Colleges Consider
Muchtimeandenergygointoacollegedecision.Admissionsisnotanexactscience,andthemore competitivethecollege,thelesspredictabletheadmissionsselectionprocesswillbe.
Let’sexaminetheimportantpiecesofthecollegeapplicationpuzzle.
• CurriculumandGrades
• StandardizedTests(ifsubmitted)
• Activities
• Essay
• LettersofRecommendation
• OtherFactors
Curriculum and Grades
Firstandforemostisyouracademicrecord(transcript):thetypesofcoursesyouhavetakenaswell asthegradesyouhaveearned.Allfouryearsofhighschoolwillbeconsidered,includingFreshman andSenioryears.Collegeswantyoutotakethemostrigorouscourseworkyoucanhandle,thatmay includeHonors,DualEnrollmentandAdvancedPlacementcourses.Theywanttoseeimprovement andprogressioninyourGPAoverthecourseofhighschool.Mostcollegeswillalsowanttoseeyour firstsemestergradesinsenioryear.Whichevercollegeyouenrollatwillrequireyourfinal transcriptthroughtheendofsenioryear.Ifyoudonotsatisfactorilycompletesenioryear–and eachcollegedefines“satisfactorily”differently–thecollegesreservetherighttoreconsiderand possiblyrescindyouracceptance.Toavoidsuchascenario,itisinyourbestinterestistocontinue toworkdiligentlythroughoutallofsenioryear.
Standardized Tests: PSAT/NMSQT, SAT, ACT and AP Tests
Manycollegesareuniversitiesarenow“TestOptional”. Somerequireastandardizedtest. Other institutionsare“TestFree.” Studentsneedtobefamiliarwiththedifferenttests,howtheyareused andifthecolleges/universitiesontheirlistrequiredtestingaspartoftheiradmissionprocess.
AllDevonPrepninththrougheleventhgradestudentswillhaveexperiencewiththe digital PSAT/NMSQT Test. ThePSAT/NMSQTisthePreliminarySAT/NationalMeritScholarship QualifyingTest.Thisisastandardizedtest(typicallygiveninOctober)thatprovidesfirsthand practicefortheSATTest.Italsogivesyouachancetoenter National Merit Scholarship Corporation (NMSC)scholarshipprogramasasenior DevonPrepwillregisterALLfreshmen, sophomoresandjuniorsforthePSAT/NMSQTtest
ThePSAT/NMSQTTestisatwohourand14-minutedigitalexamtakenonastudent’s laptop/school-ownedChromebookortablet. Thereisaten-minutebreakbetweentheReadingand WritingandMathsections.
FormoreinformationaboutthePSAT/NMSQT,pleaseseehttps://satsuite.collegeboard.org/psatnmsqt
Therearetwomajorstandardizedtestsusedinthecollegeadmissionprocess,theSATTest(offered bytheCollegeBoard)andtheACTTest(offeredbyACT.)
Moststudentswillfirsttaketheirfirststandardizedcollegeadmissiontestduringtheirjunioryear. Studentsareresponsibleforregisteringthemselveswhentheyareready.
SAT TEST:
The SAT Test isanadaptivestandardizedtestthatwillassesshowyouanalyzeandsolveproblems. TheSATisatwohourand14-minutedigitalexamtakenonastudent’slaptop/school-owned Chromebookortablet. Thereisaten-minutebreakbetweentheReadingandWritingandMath sections.
TherearetwosectionstotheSAT:theReadingandWritingsectionandtheMathsection. Thereare twomodulesintheReadingandWritingsectionsandtwomodulesintheMathsections. TheMath sectionoftheSATincludesAlgebraI,AlgebraIIandGeometry.
• MostcollegesanduniversitieswillconsiderthehighestReadingandWritingscoreand highestMathscores,eveniftheyareatdifferentsittings.Thisiscalled“Super-Scoring.”That said,weencouragestudentstotaketheSATmorethanonce.
• StudentsarerecommendedtobegintakingtheSATinthelatefall/earlyspringoftheirJunior yearandagainthefalloftheirSenioryear.StudentsareencouragedtotaketheSATmultiple timesacrossJunior/Senioryears.
• Whenastudentbeginstotestisdeterminedbyhismathsequence.Studentswhohave completedAlgebraI,AlgebraIIandGeometrycanbegintestingrightaway.Ifajunioris currentlyenrolledinAlgebraII,heshouldwaittotestuntilthespringsemesterwhenhehas moreAlgebraIIunderhisbelt.
• TheSATisofferedmultipletimesthroughouttheyear. SATTestadministrationsarein August,October,November,December,March,MayandJuneofeachyear.
• StudentsareresponsibleforregisteringthemselvesfortheSAT.
MoreinformationontheSATandtestdatescanbefound athttps://satsuite.collegeboard.org/sat/dates-deadlinesandwww.collegeboard.org.
ACT
Anotheroptionforstudentsistoconsiderthe ACT Test TheACTTestassesseshighschool students’generaleducationaldevelopmentandtheirabilitytocompletecollege-levelwork. Studentsaretestedinfourgeneralareas:English,Mathematics,ReadingandScience.
• LiketheSAT,theACTMathsectionincludesAlgebraI,AlgebraIIandGeometry. Students shouldtestaftertheyhavecompletethosethreeyearsofmathclasses.
• Manycolleges/universitieswillsuper-scoretheACT. Thatsaid,weencouragestudentsto testmorethanonce.
• TheACTTest,liketheSATTest,istypicallyofferedmultipletimesduringtheacademicyear includingSeptember,October,December,February,April,JuneandJuly. TheSATandACT areneverofferedonthesametestday.
• TheACTiscurrentlyofferedinbothpaper-n-pencilformatandlimiteddigitaltesting
• BeginninginSpring2025,theACTTestwillbecomedigitalaswellastheSciencesectionof theACTtestwillbecomeOPTIONAL.
• StudentsareresponsibleforregisteringthemselvesfortheACTTest
CheckupcomingACTtestdates: https://www.act.org/content/act/en/products-and-services/theact/registration.html
SAT-ACT Diagnostic Test
SothatDevonPrepstudentscanbestdeterminewhichtestisintheirwheelhouse,wehave partneredwithanoutsidetestprepfirmtooffertheSAT-ACTDiagnosticTest. Thisisapractice testwhichincludesafull-lengthDigitalSATandtheACT. Anoptionaltestforstudents,itwillbe offeredtosophomoresintheirsecondsemester. Studentsandparentswillreceiveadetailed reportandsummaryoftheirperformanceontheDiagnosticTest. ResultsfromtheSATsections andACTsectionswillhelpafamilydeterminewhichtestifsbestfitforthestudents. Formore information,pleasecontactMrs.Eshleman.
WealsoofferanSATBootCampandACTBootCampinthesummertimesothatstudentscanbe bestpreparedfortheirstandardizedtestofchoice.
Activities/Engagement
Collegesalsolookatyourinvolvementthroughouthighschool. Extracurricularactivities,athletics, thearts,workexperienceareallimportant. AdmissionsCommitteesarenotjustlookingatthe numberofactivitiesyou’reinvolvedinbutalsothelengthandqualityofinvolvement.Colleges don’twanttoseeyouinvolvedin30activitiesforonlyasemestereach.They’dratherseeyoupicka fewactivities,focusonthem,anddevelopintoleadersthroughthem. Collegesliketoseea student’sdiversearrayofinterests.Devon’ssizeandcollaborativeatmosphereprovideanexcellent opportunityformanystudentsnotonlytogetinvolvedinextracurricularactivitiesbuttodevelop intoleaders.Collegesliketoseewell-roundedstudents,withanemphasisonleadershipand communityservice,allofwhichourstudentsdoanyway!
Essays
Mostcollegeswillalsorequireanessayorpersonalstatementfromtheapplicant.Thisisachance foryoutoshareyourstory. Theessaywillgiveyourapplicationsomepersonality,achancetogo beyondtheblackandwhiteofyourGPAandSATscores,sharesomethinginYOURvoice.Colleges willlookatyourstyle,grammarandhowwellyouansweredthequestion,butthemostimportant partiswhattheessaytellsthecollegeaboutyou.Often,itislessimportant what youwrite than how youwrite.Makesureyou’reansweringthequestiontheyask,andifyoumakereference toacollege,makesureit’stherightcollege.Ifyouusethesameessayfordifferentcolleges,it’sall tooeasytoleavesomethinginanessaythatdoesn’tbelong.
Maketheessaypersonal,specificand interesting.Giveitagoodtitleandhaveastrong introductiontoengagethereader.Makethemcareaboutreadingyouressay,anditwillhelpyouin theevaluationprocess.
Recommendations
TheDirectorofCollegeCounselingwillpreparealetterofrecommendationforeachsenior.Many collegeswillalsoaskforoneortwolettersofrecommendationfromteachers.Theteacherswho gaveyouA’smaynotalwaysbethebestrecommendation.Sometimesifyouworkedextrahardfor aC,thatteachermaybeabletogivemoreinsightfortheadmissionscommittee.Consideralsoyour intendedmajorandiftheteacherknowsyououtsideofclassinselectingyourrecommenders. Studentsshouldasktheirteachersforrecommendationsbeforetheconclusionoftheirjunioryear. UponreturningtoschoolinAugust,studentsshouldapproachtheirteachersandreaffirmtheir continuedsupport.Tomakethingseasierfortheteachers,studentsshouldprovideacopyoftheir resume,alistoftheirschools,applicationdeadlinesandpre-addressed,stampedenvelopestotheir teachers.
Other Possible Factors
Choice of Major:Somemajorsaremoreselectivethanothers.SpeakdirectlywiththeAdmission Officetolearnabouttheiradmissionprocesses.
Demonstrated Interest:Manycollegeswilltrytodeterminethelikelihoodofyourenrollingifyou areacceptedasafactorintheirdecision.“DemonstratedInterest”canimpactastudent’ s applicationoutcome. Soifyouvisittheschool,gotoapresentationatDevonorinthearea,chat witharepresentativeviaphone,e-mail,IM,texting,etc.,itcouldhaveapositiveimpact.
Legacy:Someschoolsstillvaluethefamilialtiestotheinstitution.However,thecourtsystemis challenginglegacyadmissions,anditsoonmaynotbeafactorthatisassessedinthereview process.
Your presentation of yourself:Thiscouldbeinaninterview,onsocialmediapost/page,etc.Ifyou giveanunfavorableimpression,itcouldhaveanegativeimpactonyourprospectsforadmission. Collegesregularlytrollsocialmediatogetanotherglimpseoftheirapplicants.
Asyousee,thereismuchthatisconsideredintheadmissionsdecisionprocess.Strivetodoyour bestinalloftheseareas.Alwaysputyourbestfootforward.
College Counseling Timeline
It’snevertooearlytothinkaboutthefuturebeyondDevonPrep. WhiletheformalCollege CounselingProgramdoesnotbeginuntilJunioryear,therearemanyconsiderationsthat underclassmenshouldconsider:
Freshman Year:
Thisisthetimetostartbuildingyouracademicandsocialfoundations.Studentscanmeetwiththe DirectorofCollegeCounselingone-on-one(ifherschedulepermits)tobegindiscussingthe importantfactorsusedintheadmissionsprocess. Don’tworryaboutspecificcollegesatthispoint. Establishstrongacademicperformanceandactivities,asthisisimportanttoyourdevelopmentand yourcollegeacceptance. Collegeswilllookatfreshmanyeargradesduringtheirevaluationofyour applicationsobesuretodoyourverybestwork.
Duringfreshmanyear,youshould:
• TakethePSAT/NMSQTinOctober
• Learnstudyskills
• Getinvolvedoutsideofclassininterestingactivities
• ThinkabouttakingAPclassesfornextyear
• Plananexcitingsummer
Sophomore Year:
Insophomoreyear,youwanttobuilduponthefoundationsyouestablishedinfreshmanyear. Improveuponyourgradesandtakemorechallengingcourses. Startthinkingaboutpossiblemajor orcareerinterests. Students’personalGuidanceCounselorswillbegintotakecareerexploration inventoriestoseewherehisinterestslie.
• PrepareforandtakePSAT/NMSQTinOctober
• Meetinginsmallgroupsettingwiththe9th/10th gradeCounselortobeginexploring careers
• MeetwiththeDirectorofCollegeCounselingand/orpersonalGuidanceCounselorto seeifyouareontherighttrackwithacademicsandactivities(goforquality,not quantityofactivities)
• FinancialAidnight(forparents)
• Thinkaboutcoursechoicesforjunioryear. Don’tbeafraidtochallengeyourself academically(withsupportofyourcurrentteachersandcollege/personal counselors)
• TakeAPexamsinMay
• Plananexcitingsummer
Junior Year:
Junioryearisthelastfullyearofgradesthatcollegesseebeforemakingadecisiononhis applicationforadmission Continueimprovingyourgradesandcurriculum. Academicsismost importantintheevaluationsofyourapplicationforcollege. CollegeswanttoseetheTYPEOF CURRICULUMyouareenrolledinandTHEGRADESyouareachieving. Thisisalsothetimeto stretchyourselfanddigdeeperinyourextracurricularinvolvements. Considertakingon leadershiprolesinyouractivities. DuringJunioryear,studentsshouldbeexploringallhisoptions forhisfuture. Taketimetovisitacollegecampuswhileclassesareinsession. Thereareanumber ofdaysinthefallwherestudentshavenoclasses,andcollegecampusesareinfullswing. Thisisa greatopportunitytovisitacollege/universityandgetafullexperience,notonlyofthecampus settingbutachancetomeetthestudentsandseeifthisinstitutionwillbea“fit”.
JuniorswillhavetheopportunitytomeetwiththeDirectorofCollegeCounselingwithhisparents fortheir1x1collegestrategysession. Inaddition,Juniorswillmeetoneperiodeverycyclewiththe DirectorofCollegeCounselinginSmallGroupCollegeCounselingclassesbeginninginthesecond semester.
September
• Startyourcollegesearch (www.princetonreview.com,www.Petersons.com,www.collegeboard.com)
• MeetwithcollegesrepresentativeswhovisitDevonPrep(seeCollegeVisitssection)
• PrepareforOctoberPSAT/NMSQT. ThisyearsscorewilldetermineNationalMerit ScholarshipCompetitioneligibility.
October
• Continueparticipationwiththecollegevisitprogram
• FinancialAidNight(parents)
• TakePSAT
• Participateinlocal,eveningcollegefairs
• ConsidertakingtheACTorSAT
November
• Continuewithcollegemeetings
• ConsidertakingtheSAT
December
• PSATresultsreturned
• CompleteStudentProfile(withessayandactivitiesresume)andParentForm
• RegisterforspringSAT/ACTtestdates
• Startthinkingaboutsummerstudy,jobs,travel,etc.
January
February
• StudentProfileandParentFormduetoCollegeCounselingOffice
• Mid-yearexams–focusonyourgrades!
• “IntroductiontoCollegeCounseling”informationsessionintheeveningforboth studentandparents
• SmallgroupJuniorCollegeCounselingclassesbegin
• 1x1meetingswithcollegecounselorbegins
• Schedulecoursesforsenioryear
• FebruaryACT
March
April
May
• Meetingswithcollegecounselorcontinue
• MarchSAT
• Continuetovisitcollegeswhiletheircampusisinsession
• Meetingswithcollegecounselorcontinue
• AprilACT
• StudyforAPexamsandfinals
• Meetingswithcollegecounselorcontinue
• Requestteacherrecommendations
• APandfinalexams
June
• JuneSAT/ACT
July
• Startsummerjob,coursework,etc.
• Continuevisitingcollegestosolidifylist
• IfinterestedinpursuingDivisionI/IIathletics,registerfortheNCAAEligibility Centerandcontactcoachesaboutvisits.
• Narrowyourcollegelist
• Finalizeresume,workonCommonAppessay
• JulyACT
• Emailyourteacherswithletterofrecommendationrequests
August
• Workonessays,resumeandapplications
• Getincontactwithyouradmissionsrepresentative
• AugustSAT
• RegisterforfallSAT/ACTtestdate(s),ifnecessary
• Reconnectwithteachersforletterofrecommendationrequests. Provideyourcollege listandresume,ifready.
Senior Year:
FallofyourSenioryearisthetimetoapplytocolleges. Collegeswanttoseethatyoucontinuethe progressthatyouhavemadeearlierinhighschool:morechallengingcourses,highergrades, leadershippositions.Itisimportantforyounottoloseacademicfocusduringyoursenioryearas mostcollegeswillwanttoseeyourfirstquarter/semestergradespriortomakingadecisionon yourapplication.
SeniorswillcontinuetomeetinSmallGroupCollegeCounselingmeetingseachcycleforthefall semester.
September
• Discusscollegelistwithcollegecounselor
• SeptemberACT
• Participateinthecollegevisitprogram
• FinancialAssistanceforCollegepresentation(checkGoogleSchoolCalendarfordate)
• Provideyourcollegelistandresumetotheteacherswritinglettersof recommendationonyourbehalf
October
• OctoberSAT/ACT
• Signup(withaparent)foraFSAIDforneed-basedfinancialassistance (https://studentaid.gov/h/apply-for-aid/fafsa)
• GetapplicationsdueinNovember/DecembertoCollegeCounselingOffice
• ContinuemeetingwithcollegerepresentativesvisitingDevonPrep
• AttendOpenHousesoncampus
• Participateinregionalinformationsessionshostedbyout-of-areainstitutions
• Scheduleinterviews,ifrecommended
• Gatherfinancialrecordsandfilloutworksheetsatfafsa.ed.gov
• CompletetheFAFSAonlinebeforecollegedeadlines
November
• Keepincontactwithyouradmissionsrepresentative
• NovemberSAT
• AttendOpenHouses
• FilloutPROFILEorcollege’sfinancialaidform
• GetapplicationsdueinJanuarytoCollegeCounselingOffice
• CompletetheFAFSAonlinebeforecollegedeadlines
December
• DecemberSAT/ACT
• CompletetheFAFSAonlinebeforecollegedeadlines
• GetallremainingapplicationstoCollegeCounselingOffice
• Earlyapplication(EarlyAction/EarlyDecision)decisionsreturned–lettheCollege CounselingOfficeknowtheoutcome
• BegingettingcopiesofacceptanceandscholarshipletterstoCollegeCounseling Office
January
February
• Mid-yearexams–seniorgradescount!
• “LettingGo”presentationforseniorparents
March
April
• GetcopyofRegularDecisionacceptanceandscholarshipletterstoCollege CounselingOffice
• Ifyouhavedecidedonacollege,withdrawyourapplicationfromotherinstitutions
• Meetwiththecollegecounselortodiscussyouroptions
• AttendAcceptedStudentDayprogramsatcolleges
• Meetwiththecollegecounselortodiscussyouroptions
• Makedecisionofwheretogo,ifyouhaven’tdoneso
May
• May1–DepositDeadline
• Finalexams–seniorgradescount!
• APexams
June
• Graduation!
College Visits to Devon Prep
Everyfall,DevonPrepisvisitedbynearly90differentcollegesanduniversitiesthroughoutthe country.Collegerepresentativesmayrequesttheirvisitthroughwww.RepVisits.comorcontactthe schooldirectlyateeshleman@devonprep.comor610-688-7337X172. Theserepresentativeswill meetwithinterestedjuniorsandseniorstopromotetheirinstitutionandanswerquestionsabout theircampusandadmissionprocesses.Studentsinterestedinparticipatinginthesecollegevisits willneedtofollowthepostedguidelines.
Guidelines for Meeting with College Admission Representatives
1. A listing of colleges/universities visiting Devon Prep will be posted on the bulletin board inside of the College Counseling Center (second floor of Calasanctius Hall, Room 4), on NavianceStudentandonSchoology. Thislistingwillbeupdatedonaregularbasis.
2. SignupintheCollegeCounselingCenter orNavianceStudent a minimum of one day before the scheduled visit and obtain a pass (in Room 4), co-signed by Mrs. Eshleman AND your teacher.
3. Askyourteacher,inadvance,ifyoumaymisshis/herclass. Youmustdothisaminimumof onedayinadvanceofthecollegevisit.
4. Youmaynotmissatestoraquiztoattendacollegevisit. Itisatthediscretionofyourteacher topermityoutomissclass. Ifyoudonotobtainpermission,Iwillsupportthedecisionofthe teacher. Youarealwaysresponsibleformakingupmissedwork.
5. All college visits, unless otherwise notified, will be in the College Counseling Center. Be preparedtohaveyourpasscheckedatthebeginningoftheinformationsession.
Collegevisitsareinformationalonly. Ifyoucannotmeetwithavisitingcollege,itwillnotjeopardize yourchancesofgainingadmissiontothatschool. Whattodoatcollegemeetings
While informational in nature, college visits allow a representative to gain a feel for the type of studentahighschoolproduces. Theyalsoallowyoutomakeanimpressionontherepresentative. REMEMBER…thepersonyoumeetinthevisitmaybethefirstpersonreadingyourapplication. Help them leave with a favorable impression of you and Devon Prep.
Itwould,therefore,beinyoursandDevon’sbestinterestto:
1. Arrivepromptly.
2. Introduceyourself.
3. Payattention.
4. Behaveproperly.
5. Askserious,well-thoughtquestions.
6. Bearticulate.
7. Thanktherepresentative.
8. Aftertheinformationsessionisover,promptlyreturntoyournextclass.
Financing Your Education
Asthecostofcollegecontinuestoriseastronomically,fundingforcollegecomesmoretothe forefront.Inrecognitionofthis,DevonsponsorstwopresentationsonFinancialAidandFunding forCollege.Itisimportanttonotethatmoststudentsgoingtocollegereceivesomesortoffinancial aid.
Need-based Aid
Inordertobeconsideredforneed-basedfinancialaid,studentsmustfilloutthe Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA)athttps://studentaid.gov/h/apply-for-aid/fafsa.
BeginninginOctoberofeachfall,studentsandfamilieswillfiletheFreeApplicationforFederal StudentAir(FASFA)and/orCSSProfile(pleaseconsulttheinstitution’swebsitetoseewhich documentsarerequired.) TheFAFSAusesPrior-PriorYear(PPY)taxdata.DevonPrepencourages itsstudentstoapplyearlierinthisspanandestimate,ifneedbe,becauseit’sbettertomeetthe deadlineandhavetoadjustthenumberslaterthanmissoutonanopportunityforfinancialaid.
TosubmittheFAFSA,youwillneedaFSAID(personalID),whichyoucanobtainat https://studentaid.gov/h/apply-for-aid/fafsa.TheCSSProfileiscompletedthroughthestudent’s CollegeBoardaccount.Theseformswillprovidesupplementalfinancialaidinformationthatthese collegeswilluseindetermininginstitutionalfinancialaid.
Scholarships
Mostoften,studentswillreceiveautomaticconsiderationforacademicscholarshipssimplyby applyingforadmission.Sometimes,thereisaseparatescholarshipapplicationorinterview.Some ofthemostselectivecollegesdonotofferacademicscholarships,aseveryonewhoisacceptedisa scholarshipcaliberstudent.Theseschoolsusuallydevotemoreinstitutionalfundingtoneed-based aid.Somecollegesmayalsoofferperformancescholarshipsforqualitiessuchasathletics,music, communityserviceandleadership.
Externalscholarshipsarealsoavailable.Thereareseveralscholarshipsearchesavailable. Do not pay for them!Anythingthattheseservicesprovidecanbefoundfreeonline Inaddition, scholarshipsthataresenttoDevonPreparepostedonNaviance. Studentscanseewhatisavailable andapply.
Competing in your sport at the College Level – NCAA and the Eligibility Center
ForstudentsinterestedincompetinginintercollegiateathleticsattheDivisionIorDivisionII levels,youmusthaveyouracademicandamateurismstatuscertifiedbytheNCAAEligibilityCenter (formerlytheNCAAClearinghouse.)Therearespecificrulesandguidelinestofollow. Pleaselink totheNCAAsiteformoreinformation:
https://web3.ncaa.org/ecwr3/
Summer Activities
WhileitisimportanttousethesummertounwindfromthehighacademicdemandsthatDevon Prepplacesonitsstudents,itisalsoimportantthatstudentsdonotspendtheentiresummerdoing nothing.Collegesliketoseestudentsdosomething“productive” overthesummer,beittraveling, volunteering,takingclasses,participatinginapre-collegeprogramorgettingajob(whichmany collegesthinkisthemostimportantthingyoucandooverthesummer!)
DevonPrepSummerSAT/ACTBootCampProgram
Since2008,DevonPrephasbeenofferinga“SummerSATandACTBootCamp”. Wewelcome DevonPrepstudents(aswellassiblingsandfriendsfromotherschools)toparticipateinour programthissummer.
Thesummersessionincludes16hoursofinstructionaltimeintotal:Classes/lecturesareMonday throughThursdayfrom8:30-1pmwithashortbreakinthemorningandashortlunchbreak. On Friday,thestudentswilltakeafull-lengthSAT/ACT. One-on-onesessionscanbepurchasedatan additionalcostforextrapractice/lessonswithhisinstructor.
Enrollmentwillbelimitedtoensuresmallclasssizeandpersonalizedattention. Aminimumofsix registrantsisneededtoruneachBootCamp. Theclasswillbecappedattenparticipants.
Mrs.Elizabeth“Liz”EshlemanhasbeentheDirectorofCollegeCounselingatDevonPrepsince 2007. PriortocomingtoDevonPrep,Mrs.Eshlemanspenttenyearsonthecollegeside–bothin undergraduateadmissionaswellasgraduatebusinessschooladmissionandadvisingaswellas twoyearsincorporaterecruitingforpharmaceuticalgiant,Johnson&Johnson. WhileatJ&J,she returnedtocollegecampusestorecruitco-opstudentsandseniorsforfull-timeemployment
Contactinformation: eeshleman@devonprep.com 610-688-7337x172
Officelocation:Room4,secondfloorofCalasanctiusHall