College Counseling
The process of selecting a college is a valuable personal exercise — one which affords students the opportunity to further develop their interests, identify their unique gifts and talents, and consider their individual preferences and goals.
One on One College Counseling
During Grade 10, each Thaden student is matched with a primary college counselor – either Ms. Rodriguez, our Director of College Counseling, or Ms. Williams, our Associate Director of College Counseling. They are always available for individual meetings with students and families to provide personalized support during the college journey. This could include selecting courses, developing summer plans, and considering future aspirations. Students and families are always welcome to meet with a member of the college counseling team even before being assigned a primary college counselor in Grade 10. In addition, our college counselors are very involved in the life of our community and love getting to know students outside of the world of college counseling.
College Counseling Class
At Thaden, students in Grades 11 and 12 take a weekly college counseling class that guides them through the college admissions process. Beginning in the second trimester of their junior year, these classes meet once a week for an hour. In Grade 11, the focus is on understanding the wide range of college options available, reflecting on their personal preferences and goals, and developing a list of schools to apply to. The classes extend into the first trimester of Grade 12 and lead students through the application process, including the writing and revising of their college essays. By the time college counseling classes conclude, students are well on their way towards embarking on the next step of their educational journey.
College Trips
At Thaden, we believe in empowering our students to make informed decisions about their future. To that end, we send Grade 11 students on college trips. Each student is part of a small group that travels to a city with a variety of colleges, ranging from small liberal arts schools and large public universities to specialized service academies and more. By touring different campuses and reflecting on them with their trip leaders, students begin to develop a clearer perspective on what they are looking for in their own college journey.
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“Our College Counselors stay connected with every student’s personal lives and hobbies and I really love that you can make small talk on the way to class as well as have serious conversations in hard situations.”
Class of ‘25
“My college trip helped me to think deply about many different aspects when considering a college. While before I had only been thinking about the academic experiences offered at different schools, I found that thinking about student life, transportation, and meal plans is also very important.”
Class of ‘25
“The time I spent in College Counseling has been very helpful. I have learned about people’s college journeys, test prep, setting up my CommonApp profile, the college-searching process, and just about colleges in general. This class has helped spark my interest in expanding my knowledge about colleges so that I can prepare for my future.”
Class of ‘26
“I think these classes were a good way to get us a feel for what the senior year college experience will be like, while giving us opportunities to lessen the load.”
Class of ‘26
College Counseling Faculty
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