Junior Year: Looking Inward

 

In the winter of the junior year, students and parents will participate in College Planning Weekend. Participants will hear from deans of admission at various colleges and universities. They will also participate in a mock admission committee. These sessions will allow students and parents the opportunity to gain more insight into the college recruiting and decision-making processes.

 

Between December and February of junior year, students will participate in two one-on-one meetings with their college advisor to get to know one another and prepare for next steps.  The focus of these meetings will broadly be to develop or further a relationship and mutual understanding of next steps. Practically, three topics will be addressed to (1) develop a broad and appropriate list of schools for consideration (2) identify schools to visit, and (3) articulate a standardized test strategy.  At this point, the list could include up to 20 schools and March break plans would ideally include two-to-five college visits.

 

Between spring break and graduation, juniors will participate in one or two one-on-one meetings with their college advisor.  These meetings will further refine plans for both the college list and other aspects of the process.  Ideally, the students will have feedback from visits over March break, which will help to direct and refine the college list and inform plans for subsequent visits over the summer of 5-10 colleges.  Heading off for the summer, students will have clarity on plans for timelines, support and process for applications, recommendations, essay, standardized testing and further work to refine their college list.

 

Through the student and parent portal, receive access to specialized information on the following topics:

 

 

Each fall, between 80-100 different colleges and universities from across the country and around the world to meet with KUA students.

 

SCOIR: Students and parents will begin using SCOIR, a customized, secure website that supports college planning. It is designed to assist students and their parents/guardians in making informed decisions about college opportunities and career choices. The online resource allows students the ability to research colleges, view statistical and historical data on other KUA students anonymously, build a resume, take a career interest inventory, view the schedule of college representatives visiting KUA, and much more.

 

Methodize: KUAs online SAT/ACT test-prep platform

 

College Kickstart: Using the latest admissions data, College Kickstart crafts college plans that are well-balanced, capitalize on early admission, and minimize wasted motion. College Kickstart looks across multiple sources, from KUA and individual institutions, for the most current and critical admissions data and delivers personalized recommendations for each student based on their list and academic credentials.

Smart Track:  provides families with free access to licensed College Funding Advisors who can show you how to significantly lower out-of-pocket college costs, maximize grants and scholarships, and minimize debt. 

 

Optional Summer Essay Workshop with Ethan Sawyer, the College Essay Guy