College Counseling and Planning

List of 3 items.

• Freshman and Sophomore Years

  The college counseling curriculum begins when a student enters the halls of Trinity. In the freshman and sophomore years, students are supported to have a strong academic start and engage in a rigorous curriculum. Academic success is still the most important factor in college admissions. Students are encouraged to participate in school activities and become engaged members of the Trinity community. This could include joining a student club, serving those in need, advocating for social justice causes, participating in athletics or the fine arts, or having a job. It is through both academic and social engagement that students develop a greater sense of self, understand their role as leaders, and begin to foster interests and talents that they may later choose to pursue in college.

  
  As freshmen and sophomores, students will participate in various summative assessments which help assess achievement of academic benchmarks and prepare students for college entrance tests like the ACT and SAT. Their school counselor will help students understand assessment results and offer test preparation recommendations that are reasonable based on each student’s needs and interests. Even as underclass students, freshmen and sophomores are encouraged to engage with college and university admissions officers as they visit Trinity each fall and spring, in order to start exploring college options and understand admission requirements. Sophomores are also invited to participate in Trinity-sponsored college tours.

• Junior Year

  During the junior year, college planning formally begins. Our college counselor will guide students through the process of critically assessing academic interests, skills, talents, and aspirations. Students will explore the idea of “college fit” and learn how to access tools to more fully engage in the college search process. Trinity provides a multitude of opportunities to engage with college admissions officers from lunchtime visits, to information sessions for admitted students, college planning workshops, guided college tours, and designated college visit days. Students will start researching schools, developing a list of schools to which they will apply, and be introduced to the components of a college application and the admissions process. In the spring, juniors meet one-on-one with the college counselor to craft a plan for her college search. Students are able to access recommendations regarding their college choices, coaching and support throughout the process.

  
  Components:

  • College Planning Meeting (January)
  • College Questionnaire (January-February)
  • Small Group Meetings (assessing fit and approaching the search- March/April)
  • One-on-One Meetings with college counselor (Feb-May)
  • Spring College Visits at Trinity
  • College Planning Workshop (Essay writing, college visit, tour- May)
  • Summer College Tours

• Senior Year

  As seniors, Trinity students have the benefit of receiving hands-on assistance with the college application and admissions process. Students work closely with the college counselor to curate a list of colleges that is appropriate, intentional and competitive based on each students needs and interests. Our college counselor actively works with the senior class to ensure proper completion of applications, careful attention to deadlines, and assistance with the scholarship and financial aid process. Because of our low counselor-student ratio, our college counselor provides each senior with a comprehensive letter of recommendation that addresses her chosen curriculum and academic achievements, contributions to her community, passions and interests, and capacity for college success. It is because of our comprehensive approach and commitment to college attainment that Trinity boasts 100% college acceptance and Class of 2018 scholarship earnings of over $24.5 million.

  
  Components:

  • Common Application / Coalition Application Workshop (August & September)
  • College Application and Financial Aid Program (September)
  • Application Q & A Session (Weekly August-October)
  • FAFSA Completion Workshop*
  • One-on-one counseling and support
  • Scholarship interview preparation
  • Fall College Visits at Trinity