College Guidance: Planning Your Future by Pacific Ridge School

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Guidance Planning Your Future

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College Guidance counselors help students identify important factors – fit factors – that match their academic and personal interests to great colleges and universities.

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UNLIMITED DESTINATIONS ON THE ROADMAP FOR SUCCESS

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Pacific Ridge Students thrive at a multitude of schools across our nation and abroad.

Student-to-Counselor Ratio

For a list of Pacific Ridge School college acceptances visit pacificridge.org/collegematriculations.

Our College Guidance team supports our students every step of the way, from the moment they begin to think about college, through the college application process, to the decision-making process after college acceptances are received. The process of preparing for and selecting a college should be a rewarding journey of self-discovery, and we are excited to help our students plan successfully for this important next step in their lives. Service learning, clubs, and global travel programs weave an educational tapestry in which students stretch themselves in positive and revealing ways. Graduates are prepared and eager to go on to college, to consider careers, to engage in the world.

Your Guid es Our approach allows us to really know each student. The College Guidance staff is introduced to students in the 9th-grade year, when counselors meet with small advisory groups to provide general information and respond to early questions. These conversations continue in 10th grade, when students are introduced to college search software tools. Beginning junior year, students are assigned primary counselors who work with them individually as they progress through the college search and application process. The counselors also work directly with gradelevel deans and faculty advisors to ensure that each student receives comprehensive and cohesive support.

Your Story

The best way students can prepare for the college process is to to be engaged and involved in their high school experience. Through exploring opportunities and discovering passions, students come to understand themselves and what makes them unique. This kind of introspection leads to personal growth and a variety of college applications, acceptances and decisions. We coach our students to take the lead in this process, and support them along the way.

My counselor was really instrumental in helping me strengthen my college essay writing skills and she made sure that the factors I thought were important were the ones that I stayed focused on.

My counselor did a really good job of checking in with me and making sure that he put in as much effort as I wanted him to. In turn, he helped me put in the work needed to be the most effective I could be.

Martha Contreras –

Northwestern University Medill School of Journalism

Scott Vu –

Stanford University

FIT FACTORS:

Robust Academic Programs, Access to Professors, Diverse Student Body

School Size, Robust Academics, Sports Program, Campus Vibe, School Location

I was pretty sure I knew what I wanted in a school, but my counselor helped me test those assumptions so I would be completely comfortable with my decision. In the end, I am attending exactly the school I wanted.

Soren Engstrom –

University of California Santa Barbara

FIT FACTORS: Location, Excellent Marine Biology Program

My counselor was the best! She would help me with anything from essay editing and choosing which activities to list, to simply brainstorming topics. She was easy to talk to, a good listener, and very knowledgeable about schools. Honestly, I could not have done this without her.

Sid Israni –

University of Miami Undergraduate Business School

FIT FACTORS: Strength of Business Program, School Size, School Location

I feel that if College Guidance hadn’t told me to trust my gut – reassuring me that I was making the right decisions and encouraging me to not compare myself to what anyone else was doing – I wouldn’t be as happy as I am today.

Ella Shreiner – Berklee College of Music FIT FACTORS: Strength of Music Program, School Location WE PUT YOU ONE STEP AHEAD Our families count on us to provide information before it’s needed. This proactive approach ensures that students and parents are well informed and have access to the knowledge and resources they need to navigate a complex process.

WHAT YOU CAN EXPECT 9TH GRADE

10TH GRADE

11TH GRADE

12TH GRADE

• College Guidance presents at 9th-grade family nights (Fall / Spring)

• PSAT preview (September)

• PSAT/NMSQT Preview (September)

• SCOIR class meeting (November)

• College Launch (November)

• 2-Day Camp College & 12th Grade Parent College Night (August)

• ACT full practice test (December)

• College Night for Juniors & Parents (December)

• 10th-Grade College Night (February)

• Monthly College Guidance sessions (December - May)

• College Guidance presents at class meeting (December) • College Guidance meets with advisory groups (Spring)

• Individual student/family meetings (Spring)

ADDITIONAL PROGRAMMING OPEN TO FAMILIES IN ALL GRADES: Standardized Testing Primer, NCAA Night, Arts & Design Portfolio Preview, Financial Aid Facts & Formulas, College Admissions Officers Panel, Senior Student Panel, Key Conversations: a series covering a wide range of topics about the college process

• ACT practice test (December) • Individual & family meetings with counselors (Winter & Spring)

• Grade-level time devoted to college application work throughout the fall • Scholarship Search workshop • Senior parent coffees (November - May) • College Guidance & 12th grade Advisory programs support decision-making & transition to college (Winter & Spring)

• Personal Statement writing • Transition to College Tailgate for Seniors and Parents in English Class (March) • Coastline Case studies (Spring) • Camp College Days (May)

Students are encouraged to drop in during school hours to ask questions or use our resources. Students schedule individual and family appointments with the counselors as often as they need.

6269 El Fuerte, Carlsbad, CA 92009 | 760.579.4901 | pacificridge.org