College Counseling

Heathwood uses an “inside-out” method for preparing a working search list in the winter of each student’s junior year. Acute attention is paid to success in the classroom, course selection, intended major, and special academic requirements in an effort to develop a group of schools from the “inside-out” - academics first & other key indicators second. With the help of this detailed “College Planning Guide” families are encouraged to research and visit schools over the summer.

In the fall of their 12th grade year, students work with the counselor to finalize a list of approximately 6-8 schools. This list reflects 1-2 most desirable schools, 2-3 possible choices, & 2-3 likely choices. The final group is the most important. Heathwood invites over 70 schools to visit the campus each year, with 30 plus schools accepting. This coming year’s schedule is not yet available.

Unlike most other schools, here at Heathwood we assist the students in completing the applications and actually forward all of them from the office. This insures that each application package is complete and our “reply card” is enclosed. Students are encouraged to apply early to schools maintaining open or rolling admission policies. Heathwood also supports applications on an early decision or early action basis as appropriate.

Prior to the applications being mailed, each student works collaboratively with his/her counselor to develop a portfolio reflective of his/her academic, co-curricular, & personal background. Regardless of college choice, each student will have the following documents in his/her file:

• Essays - Seniors will complete college level essays with the assistance of Mr. Goodwin and their English teachers.
  
• Recommendations - Each senior will have two(2) recommendations on file from academic teachers. The counselor writes a third document called the student profile giving a complete picture of each student.
  

Heathwood can assist in coordinating and registering students for the SAT, ACT, and TOEFL. Prep courses may be available on a semester-by-semester basis and are typically offered after school.

Admissions officers, knowing that the students set the tone and atmosphere of the college, try to fill freshman class with interesting and capable young people. A mismatch can be costly for both the student and the college. Therefore, professional admissions representatives will provide accurate information and openly describe their colleges’ strengths and weaknesses. Prospective students should do likewise. To decide whether you and a college will fit well together, admissions staffs look at a number of factors. The following is a list of the most important factors, roughly in order of importance: academic transcript, test scores, essays, recommendations, and extracurricular activities.

Your high school record will be the most important factor in determining whether you will be admitted to a particular college. The Heathwood transcript includes all your high school courses with semester grades and credits listed. A cumulative GPA, reflecting all Heathwood academic courses, is reported. Although we do not include a specific class rank on the transcript, the accompanying School Profile provides the admissions staff with information on GPA distribution by quartile within your class. Colleges want to see how well students respond to challenges, so they consider the diversity and difficulty of the courses you’ve taken. A poor grade or two does not necessarily mean you won’t be admitted to a selective college. If your grades improve, even late in your high school career, that will be a significant factor. If you are a strong student, admissions officers will expect that you have taken several honors and AP courses. But it is important that the average student also attempts to take some courses that might be more challenging. Success in tough classes suggests you’ll do well in college.

Any good college search begins with some serious reflection. You have to know something about yourself - your interests and abilities, dreams and goals, and reasons for attending college. This self-knowledge will help you decide what to look for and which questions to ask as you investigate colleges. There are over 3,000 colleges and universities in the United States - private and public, large and small, located in large urban areas and small towns. Some are highly selective and others have open admissions; some offer liberal arts programs while others are specialized or technical. Aside from the obvious issues like the availability of a particular academic program, there are many other important factors that you may want to consider: distance from home, recreational and cultural opportunities, housing arrangements, religious affiliation, social climate, cost, special programs and facilities, prestige of the institution, opportunities for international study,athletic program. With your parents and college counselor, try to develop a personal “profile” which identifies those factors that are especially important to you.

There are many myths about the college selection process, a few of which follow: 1) there is one perfect college for each student; 2) investigating colleges is an unpleasant chore; 3) a prestigious college education is a necessity for a successful career; 4) you can only afford a low-priced college; and 5) if you’ve never heard of a college, it can’t be good. These ideas frequently interfere with the primary goal of college admissions - to help students and colleges find the best possible match. We often associate exclusivity with higher value, but the fact is that “more selective” does not necessarily mean “better”. A student should not simply attend the most competitive college that accepts him or her. It is a mistake to narrow your sights to only one college, or to steer away from certain colleges because of higher costs. Keep your options open. Looking at colleges is an exciting and interesting activity that often leads to important self-discovery and new direction for the future. Let your enthusiasm and optimism shine and have fun with the process.