Advising Students and Parents

Helping students avoid the senior slump can be a challenging part of the college counseling process. Students need to understand that colleges do still care about second semester grades. It can also be helpful to address any issues quickly and talk with students whose grades have dropped dramatically.

It can be helpful to share downloads and handouts about the application process, including how to apply for financial aid. You can find additional resources on CollegeCovered.com. Feel free to email, print, post in your office, and share with colleagues and families.

College applications have changed in the last few years. More and more colleges have become test-optional. A test-optional environment means that there may be greater scrutiny on other aspects of an application, including essays and recommendations.

In general, a strong recommendation letter is one in which the writer demonstrates familiarity with the applicant’s personality and strengths. A recommendation from a counselor can be helpful to talk about how an applicant has grown, managed challenges, and has matured. A counselor recommendation can also help explain any weak spots on a student’s transcript.