College Counseling Philosophy
The Carrollwood Day School College Counseling Department focuses on a developmental model for students beginning as early as eighth grade. In an effort to simplify an increasingly complex college admission landscape, we invest in providing a gradual release of information that is relevant to each student’s grade level to ensure that they are fully prepared for their transition to higher education. We are proud to say that 100% of our students have been admitted to a four-year college or university since the first upper school graduating class in 2009.
An Early Start to Planning Your Collegiate Career
Students are welcome to meet with members of college counseling as early as eighth grade, but will be assigned a dedicated college counselor in December of ninth grade. Families will have full access to their college counselor throughout their high school tenure in an effort to build a strong relationship, so that the counselor has a strong foundation for what each student’s aspirations are when considering higher education options. Individual college counseling meetings will begin in ninth grade with the student and at least one parent/guardian to discuss what colleges are looking for in the admission process, review the student’s academic performance (both grades and standardized test scores), analyze course selection options as the student maneuvers through the IB curriculum, discuss the importance of extracurricular participation, and to begin the conversation of the “must haves” when considering a college or university.
Support Through the Entirety of the College Admission Process
From our first official meeting during the second semester of 9th grade, to submitting an enrollment deposit at your selected institution, the college counseling department will serve as your advocate and trusted advisor to navigate the entirety of the application process.
In this spirit, the department offers a variety of resources to ensure the success of each student as they consider where to continue their education. Some of which include:
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Standardized testing practice with the PSAT and Pre-ACT in grades 9 through 11.
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Standardized testing preparation with an eight-week spring ACT and SAT course, as well as a two-week summer test preparation bootcamp.
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College representative visits to the CDS campus open to students in grades 10 through 12.
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Student and family access to the Tampa Bay Area Independent Schools (BAIS) college fair in grades 10-12 to directly speak with college representatives.
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Highly recommended individual grade level presentations between 8th and 12th grades.
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Individual meetings in grades 9 and 10 with the student and at least one parent/guardian present.
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Two individual meetings in grade 11 with the student and at least one parent/guardian present.
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Academic advising and course selection discussions yearly to ensure that each student’s IB pathway aligns with their collegiate aspirations.
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Attendance in college counseling advisory class to work on multiple aspects of the college admission process in both 11th and 12th grades including: college essay creation, letter of recommendation requesting, college resume building, and Common Application work.
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Guidance and oversight as 12th grade students submit their college applications in the college counseling office.