THE ROLE OF THE COLLEGE COUNSELORS

Throughout the college selection process, we want you, the student, to know that we want to support and encourage you, always striving to keep your best interests in mind. As resource people, we will help you explore the opportunities available in colleges. Additionally, we will guide you through the details of the process, giving you instruction in various facets of researching, visiting, and applying to colleges. As counselors, we will assist you in your self-evaluation so that you can take charge of the process, make your own decisions, and arrive at an appropriate and realistic range of schools on your final college list. At times, we will need to offer hard judgments to help you avoid taking an ill-advised course. We do this because we feel it is much better to address reality this spring and next fall when you can revise your thoughts about colleges, not next spring when it is too late. Further, as advocates, we will communicate with every college about your applications, assuring that you will get the fullest and fairest evaluation. This does not mean that we get you into college. Ultimately, colleges will admit or deny you based on your academic and personal record as presented through your application while also taking into account the particular needs of the individual college.

Finally, our experience shows that it is the willingness of students to be honest, realistic, and responsive to advice from their counselors that makes the process work optimally. As Canon Martin wrote nearly forty years ago, "There is no one 'good' college for a boy; indeed, there are many fine ones. More important than the quality of a college is the keenness of desire, the willingness to struggle, the openness of mind with which a student goes to college." We hope you will keep an open mind throughout the college application process and remember that we stand ready to help and support you throughout the coming months.

GOOD LUCK! We look forward to working with you.

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