College Counseling Newsletter

Seniors | Class of 2020

LOOKING FORWARD: COLLEGE ADMISSION DECISIONS & SENIOR SPRING

The college counselors led an informal discussion on March 2 for senior parents to share insights on what to anticipate through spring, summer, and into next fall. Carla Davies-Vue and the counselors offered advice and perspective on how we can best support our seniors. They also shared insights on other items such as how to approach spring college visits, how to decide upon which college to deposit, and how to support your child in their transition through the first year of college.

All college admissions decisions should be received by April 1, with many decisions arriving prior to this date. In preparation, we encourage students to consider the following:

1. Keep your focus on what is important. We decide what defines us. College admission decisions do not give value to what you have accomplished and who you are as friends, children, students, and citizens. Most students will hear a combination of “good” and “bad” news. Families should therefore prepare for the discussions that allow for a range of decisions. Remember, students applied to colleges they wished to attend, and admission to any combination of them is worthy of  celebration.
2. It’s not personal. It is difficult to not take decisions personally, especially when you put so much of yourself in your application. However, colleges are building a class and decisions are not made in a vacuum. There are many reasons that colleges will make the decisions they do.
3. Open all correspondence from colleges to which you applied, both hard copy and electronic. Many institutions who release decisions electronically will email applicants prior to the posting and releasing of decisions.
4. Keep your college counselor updated. The College Counseling Office is in contact with all institutions to which our students apply, but colleges release decisions to applicants. Do not expect us to know college decisions unless you inform us!
5. Conversations can be helpful. Deciding which college to attend can be the most stressful part of the entire process. The college counselors are here to assist.
6. Waitlists. You may remain on one or multiple college waitlists. Prior to taking action, speak with your college counselor.
7. April can be busier than you think. This is the last push for colleges to yield students they have admitted. There will be admitted student weekends, offers for an overnight visit and more. Remember, if you are to miss school, you must receive permission from your teachers, the Upper School Director and the College Counseling Office one week prior to making your plans.
8. Financial Aid could factor into the decision. A general rule of thumb is for a student to not borrow more than they will make in their first year out of college, which some financial aid experts put at $8,000/year, for a total of $32,000 over four years. If you have questions about your financial aid package, contact your college counselor. And, you should not deposit at a college until you know the financial aid package.
9. Deposits. Due by May 1. Only place an enrollment deposit to one school. Once you deposit, please notify the remaining colleges that you respectfully decline their offer of admission. You may remain on waitlist(s) elsewhere.  If you elect to stay on a waitlist, anticipate paying a deposit to another college as many students will not learn of acceptance off a waitlist until after May 1.
10. You are part of a community. Your classmates are going through the same emotional roller coaster as you. Be respectful and positive.
11. And, you are a leader. Remember you set the tone for the entire school. The younger students are watching you. So are the faculty, staff, parents and others. Your actions will continue to affect others.
12. All decisions are based on successful completion of senior year. Don’t just cross the finish line, sprint past it. Colleges require final transcripts before a student can enroll, and Breck will send your final transcript to the college to which you deposit. However, they reserve the right to retract an acceptance if grades or behavior slide.

AP TESTS

Students have received confirmation of his/her AP enrollment and the CollegeBoard’s Bulletin for AP Students and Parents from AP teachers. Students and parents are expected to review the material. AP tests will be given on Breck campus. All students enrolled in an AP class are required to sit for the AP exam per Breck’s Handbook:

For students in AP courses, the AP exam will stand in for the final. Students are expected to demonstrate effort commensurate with their abilities on these exams. Those students who are deemed to have not demonstrated such effort may be required to take the final.

Juniors | Class of 2021

JUNIOR APPLICATION CASE STUDIES WORKSHOP

As noted on the school calendar, the Case Studies Workshop, the highlight of our programming, will be Wednesday, April 1 from 6:30 – 8:30 pm. Be sure to attend as we will have admissions leaders from across the country on hand for this interactive and behind-the-scenes activity. It’s something you will not want to miss! There is some homework to prepare for the big night. On March 11, we will email parents directions and meet with juniors during Community Partnership to discuss.

BUILDING THE COLLEGE LIST

Each junior should head into the summer with a balanced college list constructed in consultation with your college counselor. Every junior should have met with their counselor before spring break for initial conversations about “the process” as well as discuss scheduling, testing plan and more. Counselors will use current test scores to begin placing colleges into groups following break:

• Likely: ≥ 80% chance of admission
• Possible: ≥50% chance of admission
• Reach < 25% chance of admission
• Far reach < 10% chance of admission

It is our advice for students to build a substantive list of schools now in order to appropriately research and to potentially visit them. It is a common tendency to first latch on to known schools; it is the counselors’ job to expand the list, to challenge assumptions, and to put the focus on the student and the fit. The size of the list will ebb and flow over the course of the coming months as your child figures out fit and begins to prioritize what is most important in the search.

THE ROLE OF PARENTS & GUARDIANS IN THE PROCESS

We firmly believe that parents and guardians know their children the best and are integral to a successful college process. While we have already entered into conversations about the process (course scheduling, testing plan, etc), we look forward to venturing further into conversations about colleges, fit, and developing “the list.” To that end, we ask from parents and guardians

• Schedule a Spring Meeting with Parent(s)/Guardian(s), Student & Your College Counselor. We encourage parents to meet with their child’s counselor prior to the start of May Program. Please contact Carrie Papillon (carrie.papillon@breckschool.org or 763-381-8258) to schedule an appointment.
• Complete the Parent Surveys! Each parent has a unique Naviance account. In addition to the many college search features it offers, there is a survey for each parent to complete that affords your college counselor deep and unique insights into your child. Login to your Naviance account; click on the About Me tab on the right hand side of the screen; click on My Surveys; surveys will be listed in “Surveys not started” unless you have started or completed them. A second survey will be opened on April 2; these inform your counselor for meetings. Please complete them in a timely manner.

JUNIOR PARENT/COUNSELOR COFFEE TALKS AT ANDERSON ICE ARENA

The College Counseling Office hosts an informal conversation every few weeks in the spring to discuss a particular college admission topic. These will be held in the Heritage Room at Anderson Ice Arena, 8:00-9:00 AM.

• March 5: Building a Balanced List
• April 23: Common Application Nuts and Bolts
• May 21: Senior Year – What’s It like?

SPRING BREAK

Are you visiting colleges over spring break? Here is a guide that can help spur conversations. The vital piece of this entire process is the self-reflection; opening a variety of college experiences to your child can result in some wonderful conversations that can be guided by the list of questions included in the mailing.

STANDARDIZED TESTING

By now, all juniors should have developed a standardized testing plan with their college counselor and most have taken one. Most juniors will sit for two tests during their junior year. For some juniors, SAT Subject Tests may be a part of the plan. Please speak to your college counselor.

MINI COLLEGE FAIR ON APRIL 24

We will host up to 15 colleges in Samuel A Salas Commons during tutorial on April 24. We expect all juniors to visit the fair to meet and engage with admissions officers. This is a time for students to have a conversation with a college representative at a college on their list or to explore another option to broaden their list. Many students have found this a refreshing and unintimidating way to launch into the next phase of the college search process

JUNIOR (RISING SENIOR) WORKSHOPS IN JUNE

Please mark your calendars now and reserve Friday, June 5 for your child to attend our application workshop. This day will allow students to launch into the summer having created a Common Application account and ready to begin writing their essays. We will also off interview assistance the following week. More details to follow.

AP EXAMS

Students have received confirmation of his/her AP enrollment and the CollegeBoard’s Bulletin for AP Students and Parents from AP teachers. Students and parents are expected to review the material. AP tests will be given on Breck campus. All students enrolled in an AP class are required to sit for the AP exam per Breck’s Handbook:

For students in AP courses, the AP exam will stand in for the final. Students are expected to demonstrate effort commensurate with their abilities on these exams. Those students who are deemed to have not demonstrated such effort may be required to take the final.

SUMMER TEST PREP

All students should have met with their college counselor to discuss a standardized testing plan; part of that conversation includes selecting which test to pursue and for which to prep. All students are expected to set aside time to prepare for standardized tests over the summer. Those students who are able to plan for prep over the course of the summer months can alleviate added time stressors to their schedule during the academic year.  There are many types of prep offered by many companies.

Junior and sophomore parents have received an email introducing the standardized test preparation class offered by Breakaway Test Prep. The class is not required, but rather offered as a service to our families. Beginning Wednesday, July 29, Breakaway Test Prep will provide an intensive four-week, 12-hour test prep program designed to help get your student ready to take the SAT and ACT. Breakaway will provide three hours of SAT and ACT instruction on four consecutive Wednesday afternoons beginning July 29 (July 29, August 5, 12 and 19). This course will provide thorough reviews of all sections of the exam: English, math, reading, science, and writing. Instruction will also include overviews of critical test-taking strategies and time management tips for each section of the ACT. Students should expect to complete approximately 2-3 hours of homework for each class. In addition to the Wednesday classes, Breakaway recommends that students schedule a practice pre-test in May or June as well as a post-test in September to measure their progress. Breakaway offers practice tests every weekend at its office in St. Louis Park. The deadline to register for the test prep is Friday, May 1. Ron Michalak, founder of the company, has structured the 12-hour class for our students and has attempted to limit the financial burden for families. Please contact your child’s college counselor should financial limitations be a potential obstacle.

THINK SUMMER

By this time, college counselors have met with most juniors to discuss scheduling. These conversations have allowed us to learn more about your child, provide input and guidance as students select classes for next year, gain a better sense of how they are connected with the Breck community and beyond, and learn more about how they spend their "free" time. In some of our conversations we have broached the topic of summer programs. While we philosophically believe summer break is a good time for students to rest, relax and reconnect with family, for some students it is an opportunity to explore academic and/or personal interests, cultivate leadership skills, or try something different. Remember, students reveal their interests in how they spend their time.

For summer programs, like the college process, there is not a "one size fits all" solution as programs range in focus, location, duration, cost, and prerequisites. In addition, we strongly believe students should approach these programs out of personal interest and not for the sole purpose of impressing a college. We recognize that many families are receiving information about summer programs and may have questions, and we would like to know what you have planned for the summer! Should you have specific questions about summer programs or other opportunities for your student, please do not hesitate to contact your student's college counselor.

Sophomores | Class of 2022

Breck is unique in that finding the right fit for each student is placed directly into our mission statement and the College Counseling Office strives to create a student-centered approach to our work. College counselors are assigned in December with the intention that each student would meet with his/her college counselor in time for scheduling conferences. In these first meetings, counselors begin to learn more about each student, discuss academic and co-curricular interests, and develop a testing plan.

The college counselors have enjoyed getting to know each student we’ve met! However, some have yet to meet with their counselor. Please schedule a meeting before spring break. The college process is most effective when the counselor and student know each other well. The student should see Ms. Papillon in the College Counseling Office to schedule an appointment.

AP EXAMS

Students have received confirmation of his/her AP enrollment and the CollegeBoard’s Bulletin for AP Students and Parents from AP teachers. Students and parents are expected to review the material. AP tests will be given on Breck campus. All students enrolled in an AP class are required to sit for the AP exam per Breck’s Handbook:

For students in AP courses, the AP exam will stand in for the final. Students are expected to demonstrate effort commensurate with their abilities on these exams. Those students who are deemed to have not demonstrated such effort may be required to take the final.

SUMMER TEST PREP

All students should have met with their college counselor to discuss a standardized testing plan; part of that conversation includes selecting which test to pursue and for which to prep. All students are expected to set aside time to prepare for standardized tests over the summer. Those students who are able to plan for prep over the course of the summer months can alleviate added time stressors to their schedule during the academic year.  There are many types of prep offered by many companies.

Junior and sophomore parents have received an email introducing the standardized test preparation class offered by Breakaway Test Prep. The class is not required, but rather offered as a service to our families. Beginning Wednesday, July 29, Breakaway Test Prep will provide an intensive four-week, 12-hour test prep program designed to help get your student ready to take the SAT and ACT. Breakaway will provide three hours of SAT and ACT instruction on four consecutive Wednesday afternoons beginning July 29 (July 29, August 5, 12 and 19). This course will provide thorough reviews of all sections of the exam: English, math, reading, science, and writing. Instruction will also include overviews of critical test-taking strategies and time management tips for each section of the ACT. Students should expect to complete approximately 2-3 hours of homework for each class. In addition to the Wednesday classes, Breakaway recommends that students schedule a practice pre-test in May or June as well as a post-test in September to measure their progress. Breakaway offers practice tests every weekend at its office in St. Louis Park. The deadline to register for the test prep is Friday, May 1. Ron Michalak, founder of the company, has structured the 12-hour class for our students and has attempted to limit the financial burden for families. Please contact your child’s college counselor should financial limitations be a potential obstacle.

THINK SUMMER

For summer programs, like the college process, there is not a "one size fits all" solution as programs range in focus, location, duration, cost, and prerequisites. In addition, we strongly believe students should approach these programs out of personal interest and not for the sole purpose of impressing a college. We recognize that many families are receiving information about summer programs and may have questions, and we would like to know what you have planned for the summer! Should you have specific questions about summer programs or other opportunities for your student, please do not hesitate to contact your student's college counselor.

Freshmen | Class of 2023

You are almost ¼ of the way through your high school career! Course planning may have provoked some questions or provided some opportunities to further explore your interests.  With summer quickly approaching, now is a good time to think about your summer plans. It’s also a good time to think about setting goals for next year as well. Your advisor is a good point person for these conversations.