Christopher Hailey, Associate Director of College Counseling
Juniors complete a survey to help HRA’s college counseling team better understand the roles, identities, and values that define them
The college search and application process can be anxiety- and stress-inducing, but there are lots of ways that your college counseling team is here to help. We do our best to answer your questions, help you make good decisions, and be guides to lean on when the road seems rough. But even the professionals can use a little help in getting you where you want to be. That’s why we ask both parents and students to meet with us, answer lots of survey questions, and provide us with the tools we need to help you.
Elizabeth Cavallari, Director of College Counseling, and I will write counselor recommendation letters on behalf of the school for each student. Students will also ask two teachers to write letters to support their applications. My students know how much I love a Google Form, so when we ask them to take the time to fill them out, it is for a good cause. The same goes for parents when they respond to the Parent Reflection Form.
What we are looking for are insights into who you are, what you value, and what makes you tick. With that kind of information, we can provide colleges with a picture of you as a student, but most importantly as a person. We want colleges to know the whole you and not just the grades on your transcript.
What teachers should a student ask to write letters of recommendation? The best letters sometimes come from teachers whose classes were a struggle, not necessarily those with the highest grades, because those teachers know how a student deals with adversity. If there is a teacher who also knows the student from other activities (sports, clubs, the arts, Model UN), they often have a more nuanced understanding of a student’s character, resilience, leadership, and ability to work with others. The Roles and Identities form that students fill out helps them reflect on their values through anecdotes that provide teachers with deeper insight into the student.
No one should have to go it alone on their journey from HRA to a college campus. That includes the adults who are there to take the journey with them. So help us help you.
