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College Counseling

Close up photo of the college bulletin board

While the College Counseling Office begins its official work with students during the fall of their junior year, we recognize that questions, rumors and misconceptions can surround this process long before then.

The College Counseling Office provides many resources to students and parents throughout their four years in our Upper School. We officially assign students to a counselor during the fall of their junior year; however, students and families can meet with a member of our College Counseling team to discuss questions and concerns anytime. Our hope is that this information will help lessen early anxiety and familiarize families with the basics of both how to prepare for the college search and application process on the horizon.

Upper school student meeting with a college counselor

Our college counselors all have a background in highly selective admissions and spend many weeks traveling to conferences and college campuses each year and maintain their membership in several professional organizations. In addition, they stay on top of the most recent college admissions trends and forge strong connections with admissions representatives and other college counselors throughout the country.

College Counseling Services

  • Regular individual meetings with a primary college counselor, with whom students are paired in the fall of their junior year
  • Guidance from the entire PDS College Counseling team, who collectively have over 50 years experience working in highly selective college admissions and college counseling
  • College seminars during junior year, covering all aspects of the college admissions process
  • A college essay “boot camp” during the summer before senior year
  • College application workshops and individualized support on writing application essays and filling out applications
  • Advice on building and shaping a balanced college list
  • Help planning for and navigating standardized testing
  • Mock interviews to help students feel more prepared to meet with college admissions representatives
  • Monthly newsletters to help keep everyone on the same page
  • Programming for parents throughout the year
  • Support for first generation college students
  • Guidance in the athletic recruiting process
  • Visits to Princeton Day School from college admissions representatives from many different colleges around the country and around the world

 

"Going into the process with parents who really didn't know much about it themselves, my counselor was SO helpful. I would have had no idea where or how to apply without the College Counseling Office."Neha Kalra '22

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