When do you recommend starting to work with a College Counselor?

Although each student is unique, a general rule of thumb is:

8th grade - Very little college prep needs to be done at this stage, unless the student is aiming for an extremely competitive university. A workshop or 1 hour session with a college counselor can be helpful in understanding the general college landscape, such as what colleges are out there, what current application expectations are, and to dispel some of the myths they may have heard.

9th grade - The student’s main focus should be on setting good academic habits and getting settled in high school. If needed, college counselors can help students think through their general college goals and mapping out potential courses for future years.

10th grade - In addition to continuing to build good study habits, this is a great year to explore interests through various academic endeavors, clubs, activities, after school jobs, volunteering, or research projects. College counselors can be helpful in thinking through the differences between various types of colleges and identifying any early preferences the student might have (public vs. private, large vs. small, etc.) and can provide recommendations for extracurricular activities to explore.

11th grade - This is an ideal time to start sharpening the focus on preferences, interests, and deal-breakers to narrow down what types of learning environment will best suit the student and what potential areas of interest might be. This is when students work more intensely with a college counselor to explore a wide variety of college options, build a balanced college list, and assemble initial application materials.

12th grade - College applications are due throughout the fall, so students will need to focus on writing essays, pulling together detailed application information, and requesting letters of recommendation. College counselors help manage all these moving pieces, remind students of deadlines, and keep things running smoothly during a potentially hectic time. Spring of senior year is decision time and college counselors support students as they weighing the pros and cons of various options and confirm their choice by May 1st.

Note that the above timeline is only a starting point - students who are neurodiverse or may feel anxious or overwhelmed by the college process may consider starting on the early side so that we can pace the information and decisions as they are ready.

What role do parents play in the college counseling process?

This varies widely from one family to the next and our services can be flexible as needed. We recommend meeting with parents at the beginning of the process to ensure that everyone is on the same page about the goals and parameters and then allowing the student to take the driver’s seat as much as possible. We encourage students to share updates with their parents and offer to do so on their behalf after each session or workshop if they prefer. If there are any concerns about progress towards next steps, we will reach out to parents and collaborate as needed.

What if college isn’t the right next step for my student?

There are some students who don’t feel like college is the right next step for them, whether because it doesn’t align with their career goals, they would like a break between high school and further education, or they are interested in volunteering, travel, or internship opportunities. We have resources available for students to explore all these avenues as well as college options.

Will you be able to get my student into Harvard?

While there are some college counselors who focus intensely on admissions to Ivy League schools, our focus at Pathfinder is to help each student find the college that is the best fit for their unique interests, personality, and academic needs. In some cases, this may be an elite school, but we find that finding that taking a wide lens to find the perfect fit for each individual is our highest priority.

What if it doesn’t work or isn’t helpful for my student?

Students or families may decide to stop services at any point if it isn’t meeting their needs or doesn’t feel like the right fit for them. If less than 75% of a package has been utilized, students may be eligible for a partial refund and recommendations for other college support services can always be made.