College Counseling
Determining the right college after Charleston Collegiate School is an
important task that requires a great deal of thought and energy. Just
as students offer varied personalities, the schools available to them
are diverse. There are a number of considerations that will enable
parents and students to determine what options are best, and it is
important to discuss them openly together. Is there an interest in
staying in Charleston or the Southeast, or is a broader selection
desired? Once these larger questions have been answered, there are many
considerations in determining what will be the best academic
environment for the next four years. Do you want a small school or a
large one? Do you want a single-sex environment or a coeducational one?
Do you want a rural setting, an urban setting, or something in between?
Do you want a school with a religious affiliation? Will you need
financial aid?
Elizabeth Boyd [E-mail], Head of the Upper School, works in conjunction with the parents
to guide students through their decisions and the application process.
It is essential that students follow the recommended timeline and do as
much research as possible before they begin. Some helpful web sites to
browse:
APPLY! (offers a CD-ROM with over 500 college applications on it)
College Board (provides a data base and advice about colleges and universities)
The College Guide (offers articles about college life etc.)
CollegeNET
Common Application
Edufax (offers listings of all colleges in the U.S. and the world and provides
email addresses)
FAFSA Express (offers free applications for Federal Student Aid)
FASTWEB (Financial Aid Search Through the Web)
The Financial Aid Information Page (provides 'free, comprehensive,
independent and objective guide to financial aid')
Project EASI (Easy Access for Students and Institutions)
The Four Year Program: An Overview
Ninth Grade:
The goal for freshman year is to help students adjust to the
opportunities and challenges of high school, to learn more about
themselves, and to become familiar with their Advisory Group (a
heterogeneous group of students in grades 9-12), their Advisor, and the
Upper School College Guidance Program
Tenth Grade:
In the sophomore year students learn about national standardized
testing and how to evaluate the results. Students take the PSAT for
practice in the fall of the Tenth Grade. Students are encouraged to
choose their courses and to participate in extra-curricular activities
wisely. Sophomores have the opportunity to participate in the college
trip that visits a representative sample of different types of colleges
and universities.
Eleventh Grade:
The college search process accelerates junior year. Students learn
about the resources available and how to research a college. Students
are encouraged to attend meetings with college representatives who
visit Charleston Collegiate and the Charleston area in the fall.
Students can learn more about different types of schools by
participating in the College Tour. Meetings are held throughout the
year to evaluate the students' profile and to develop a more formal
list of colleges to consider. Planned campus visits are strongly
encouraged. Junior year is also a key year for national testing. All
juniors again take the PSAT in October (this time they compete in the
National Merit Scholarship and National Achievement Scholarship
programs) and should take the SAT I twice and the ACT once by the end
of this year. Juniors have the opportunity to participate in the
college trip that visits a representative sample of different types of
colleges and universities.
Twelfth Grade:
The fall of the senior year is spent finalizing the list of schools and
completing the applications. Senior English teachers help students
complete their essays, and counsel is available for information about
specific schools as well as the completion of the applications. Many
seniors will take the SAT I, SAT II, and/or ACT for a second time in
the fall. When students learn the results of their applications, help
is available for the decision making process.
There is a strong sense of tradition in the school’s dedication to serving the needs of the whole student. The academic curriculum addresses the college preparatory mission of the school while athletic and enrichments courses allow students to express other aspects of their talents. Students enjoy an average class size of 15-18. An advisor system enables students to receive individual guidance and support, and there is a strong tradition of community service that promotes the personal qualities that are necessary to the development of responsible citizens and effective future leaders.