The important, exciting, and at times overwhelming task of college selection becomes a top priority during high school years. The College Guidance Office has prepared this College World Website to help both students and parents make the process a smooth one.
Preparation for college admission begins the first day a student enters Coral Academy of Science. While applying to college takes place in the fall of the senior year, the College Planning Advisor looks at a student’s total academic profile. CAS provides a rigorous college prep curriculum and it is important that students meet the challenge and do their best from the very first day of school. The first two years of high school are vitally important to the college admission process. Students cannot make the mistake of “WAITING UNTIL THE JUNIOR YEAR” to prepare for college.
Searching for a college match is a highly individualized process. The advisor in the guidance department will work diligently to assist students in the college search. A guidance principle of college counseling is :
“COLLEGE IS A MATCH TO BE MADE, NOT A PRIZE TO BE WON.”
As students and parents enter this subjective college search process, they must be careful of attaching hopes and dreams to only one college or university, being careful not to create a mythical place. Most people can be happy at any number of colleges. It is advisable to investigate different colleges with varying degrees of selectivity – highly selective to less selective – that can satisfy academic, social, and extracurricular preferences. The happiest high school student is the one who in April of the senior year can say:
“IT ALMOST DOESN’T MATTER WHERE I AM ACCEPTED. WHATEVER COLLEGE
I ATTEND, I WILL BE HAPPY, SATISFIED, AND PREPARED TO BE SUCCESSFUL.”
This perspective is reached by researching schools, using the resources of the College Advisor’s Office and working closely with the College Planning Advisor.
There are programs for parents held throughout the school year to help the college search process. Reminders about programs and deadlines will be communicated in Coral Academy Newsletter quarterly and here in College World - college planning website (www.coralacademy.org/collegeplan). There will be opportunities for both parents and students to talk and meet with the College Planning Advisor during freshman, sophomore, junior and senior years.
We will also start use the Naviance College Planning System this year. Students and parents will have access to the system and will be connected to us all the time.
If you should need to speak with me, or have any suggestions or observations about our College Planning Program, please do not hesitate to contact me. Also please check this website(www.coralacademy.org/collegeplan) frequently for updated and additional information.
Sincerely,
Eray Idil
College Advisor
775-323-2332 / 146
