The Priory's Four-Year Counseling Program
Get Prepared
Freshman and Sophomore Years: Parent/student meeting at the beginning of each year with Brother Edward and Ms. Van Wagenen. The purpose of the meeting is to explain the importance of classes, grades, tests and student involvement in activities as they pertain to college admissions. No formal individual meetings are scheduled for freshmen or sophomores, but as with all students, they are welcome to make appointments if they so desire.
Tests in freshmen and sophomore years: A practice PSAT is administered, strictly for student experience, in October. Students enrolled in Advanced Placement (AP) classes will take the AP course test in May. SAT Subject tests may also be taken at the end of the year, based on the individual student's needs.
Junior Year: The "formal" college counseling program begins in the junior year with a third meeting at the beginning of the year with Brother Edward and Ms. Van Wagenen. In the second semester, all juniors meet individually with Ms. Van Wagenen to discuss a variety of colleges and universities. After this first meeting, parents are welcome to meet with Ms. Van Wagenen as well, either alone or with their student. In the spring, Ms. Van Wagenen has several group meetings with juniors to explain a number of college issues, including college visits, essays, completion of application, etc. In May, juniors and parents/guardians attend an evening program called "Case Studies" which outlines the process of admissions and how students are selected as potential candidates for admission.
Tests in junior year: Students take the PSAT in October, and then are encouraged to take the SAT and/or ACT at least one time in the second semester, junior year. Foreign students are encouraged to take an SAT Subject test in their native language in November of the junior year. In May, juniors enrolled in AP courses will take AP tests. Most students who need SAT Subject tests for college applications will complete them by the end of the junior year.
Senior Year: A fourth student/parent meeting is held early in the year with seniors and parents/ guardians. Additionally, group meetings are held in the fall to keep students up-to-date with collegerelated information, including advice about selecting teachers for writing letters of recommendation, help with completing applications, time guidelines for applications, etc. Additionally, Ms. Van Wagenen meets with all students who will be applying to the University of California campuses, at which time they go over the application together. All seniors must meet at least once with Ms. Van Wagenen early in the year to finalize their college lists, and they continue to meet with her formally or informally throughout the year, culminating in making the final decision about college choice in May.
Tests in the senior year: While some students repeat SAT or ACT early in the year, most testing should be completed prior to senior year.
While it is important for students throughout all four years of high school to keep focused on classes, grades and test scores, it is additionally critical for students to become involved in school/cocurricular activities from the freshman year on. Colleges and universities not only want students who have proven themselves academically, but they want students who will contribute to the school community as well. Therefore, it is important that students develop a strong interest or passion in activities which are not just academic, but in other areas as well from community service, to sports, to music, or whatever truly interests the student; and sustained and demonstrated passion over time for even one activity is preferable to a passing interest in a variety of activities.