…And Looking to the School Year Ahead

The new year is often a time of reflection, starting over, and turning a new leaf. In the world of college counseling, it is symbolically relevant, as well! As we embark on the new academic year, we empathize with you all, especially the parents of current seniors, who are wrestling with feelings of both excitement for the future and apprehension about letting go of the past. 

With the ever-changing landscape of college admissions, we are diligently working to bring our LJCDS community the most up-to-date and accurate information, resources and opportunities to engage in the college search process. 

This fall, we are excited to introduce our new College Counseling Seminar courses for seniors. Held during Flex times, we will meet with students to discuss relevant topics based on where they are in the college admission cycle. Topics will include an overview of FERPA, a deeper understanding of MaiaLearning and how it connects to college applications, strategies for engaging with college representatives through college visits, interviews, and regional receptions, academic reporting requirements, navigating different application platforms such as the Common Application, UC Application, CSU Application, Coalition, and UCAS, financial aid processes, and appropriate responses and next steps when admission decisions are released. We will conclude the semester with reflections on the journey, and the importance of showing gratitude and giving grace. 

In addition, we are looking forward to welcoming 100+ college admission representatives to campus who visit with our students this fall. Throughout the months of September, October and November our upper school students, specifically seniors (and juniors during free blocks) have the opportunity to sign-up for one-on-one and small group meetings with admission officers from the  colleges they are interested in or want to learn more about. 

Here are just a few names of colleges/universities visiting Country Day in the coming weeks: Pepperdine University, University of San Diego, Bard College, University of Miami, Washington University St. Louis, Wake Forest University, University of St. Andrews - Scotland, University of Michigan, Case Western Reserve University, Indiana University, University of Chicago, Endicott College, Boston College, and many more. For weekly visits, please refer to the College Counseling section in Division Updates. 

In addition to college visits, we will be hosting family and class specific events throughout the year. Topics include College Standardized Exams (SAT + ACT), Collegiate Athletics, Financial Aid & the Investment of a College Education, Options for the Arts (VAPA specific), The State of College Admissions, our second annual LJCDS College Admission Symposium, College Application Case Study program (for Grade 11 students & caretakers, specifically) and various College Admission Representative panels open to the community. For upcoming events and opportunities, please refer to the monthly College Counseling newsletter, weekly Division Updates and primary LJCDS Community Event Calendar.