College Counseling
College Preparation from Day One
At HRA, college preparation starts well before Grade 12—it begins the moment a student joins our school. The college admissions process may seem daunting at first, but our objective is to inform students about their options, ensure that they feel supported throughout the application process, and ultimately help 100% of our seniors gain admission to colleges and universities that align with their goals and passions. Our college counselors guide students and their families through every step, working to understand our college-bound Navigators’ values and help them chart a path toward their personal vision of success in college and beyond.
A Values-First Approach to College Admissions
HRA’s College Counseling Process
College preparation is integrated into our curriculum and student life at all levels, but the process begins in earnest in Grade 9. In this first year of Upper School, faculty advisors help students plan their coursework and balance academics with extracurricular activities and athletics. In the ninth and tenth grades, college counselors meet with students and hold regular parent information sessions. Formal counseling intensifies in Grade 11, starting with our annual Junior College Day, which kicks off that year’s college application process.
During their junior year, students and their parents meet one-on-one with a college counselor early in the spring semester to create an initial list of colleges. Students and parents work closely with the college counseling staff, from the first meeting through graduation. Here is a closer look at how we help students at each grade level prepare for a successful college application process:
Grade 9
- The Counseling Office offers information sessions for students and their families, covering the college counseling process, the current state of college admissions, and how to understand standardized test results.
Grade 10
- The College Counseling Office holds initial meetings with students and families, starting a conversation that will continue throughout their Upper School years centering on their values. These meetings provide information on course selection and career planning, starting the college search process, and understanding PSAT results.
Grade 11
- At Junior College Day, students and their families learn about the process of submitting a college application, requesting and obtaining recommendations, parent reflections to inform the writing of letters on students’ behalf, and matters of finances during a student’s college years.
- We organize a multi-college tour for juniors, highlighting schools of various sizes and campus types. Each visit includes information sessions with admissions staff, tours, meals at the dining hall, and meetings with HRA alumni.
- The College Counseling Office hosts a mock admissions session with current admissions officers for students and their families, providing insight into what is important to application readers.
- Students and their families meet with the College Counseling Office to plan their senior-year courses, create a list of colleges to consider, and develop a standardized test schedule. This discussion helps our counselors guide students as they assemble lists of colleges and universities and provides valuable information to assist teachers as they write letters of recommendation.
- In the spring of their junior year and into their senior fall, students participate in a series of application essay-writing workshops organized jointly by the College Counseling Office and their English teachers. They also take part in an advisory program consisting of activities and workshops to help students assemble effective applications early.
- Between the junior and senior years, the College Counseling Office hosts a college application “boot camp” and invites students to participate in informal, one-on-one conversations about their college search process at summer coffees with Director of College Counseling Elizabeth Cavallari.
Grade 12
- Throughout the fall, college counselors continue to conduct application essay-writing workshops and advisory sessions and meet one-on-one with students.
- Our Senior Transition Program for soon-to-be graduates offers sessions on financial literacy and making responsible choices in college.
Meet the HRA College Counseling Team
Our experienced college counselors are excited to help HRA students and their families navigate the college application process. These dedicated professionals are here to guide you and your student at every stage, from assembling a list of colleges and universities and crafting compelling essays to preparing for interviews and making a final decision about where to enroll. Our counselors provide personalized support, getting to know each student and their values to help them find their best-fit college and excel after graduation. Learn more about our team!
College Counseling Resources
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