College Counseling Resources | Upper School | Heathwood Hall

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College Counseling Resources

Heathwood graduates are college-bound and ready.

Heathwood graduates are prepared for the next phase of their academic careers. The College Counseling Office takes care to introduce our students and families to a broad range of options—there are over 4,000 undergraduate college options across the country and internationally.  Visits by college representatives in the fall are open to all students (Freshmen through Seniors) depending upon their schedules (i.e. study hall/free periods) and are announced to all students via the weekly letter and daily announcements.

Our priority is to know each young person as an individual and guide them in making informed choices in light of their aspirations, abilities, style, and strengths.

College Planning Process

We recognize that the range of college choices available to each student is directly related to their own effort and individual habits of mind. Therefore, we guide students in taking ownership of their high school education and college planning process, knowing that doing so will maximize the college options that will later become available to them. 

The college planning process formally begins in the junior year. A combination of meetings, events, and online resources enables students and families to engage thoughtfully in the process:

  • Students meet with college counselors one-on-one to discuss academic strengths, aspirations, and viable college options.
  • Day and evening programs throughout the year are designed to inform juniors and their families of various aspects of the college process and create excitement for the journey that lies ahead.
  • Representatives from local, regional, and national regularly visit Heathwood’s campus to meet with juniors and seniors.
  • Students use Cialfo – an online college planning platform – to manage their search and applications.
  • Teachers and advisors communicate regularly with the college counseling staff as they prepare student recommendations.
  • Programs are available for students interested in playing collegiate sports, which includes guidance for students and families throughout their Upper School tenure.

On a more organic basis, the college counseling office engages freshmen and sophomores in developmentally appropriate ways so that they, too, may be inspired to position themselves optimally for a broad range of college options.

  • Freshmen and sophomores are introduced to Cialfo, our research/application platform, early in the fall semester.  Through Cialfo, they take interest tests and learn how to research college, make activity lists, and even build tentative college lists that will grow and change over the course of their high school careers.
  • Sophomores attend assigned college-representative visits to Heathwood in the fall and interact with representatives and the college office about the information they have learned.
  • Spring programming helps underclassmen to consider their appropriate curriculum choices and to learn more about what colleges require in the admission process.

 

Cialfo

Cialfo is our dedicated college planning platform for research, storage, and document delivery.

Heathwood Hall College Counseling Handbook

Everything a student or parent needs to know about the college-counseling application process can be found in the College Counseling Handbook.

Class of 2026 College Counseling Handbook  >>

 

Heathwood Hall Upper School Profile

The Upper School Profile provides a general overview of faculty, admissions and matriculation, and so much more. Click on the link below to preview the 2025 - 2026 edition.
2024 - 2025 Upper School Profile  >>
 

Deadlines and Timelines

The college application process is a deadline-driven endeavor. Planning work on applications and scholarships well before published deadlines is essential to ensure thorough components are included. 

Standardized Testing

Testing Dates:
PSAT
SAT
ACT

While many colleges and universities offer a test-optional path to admission, there are numerous reasons to take the SAT or ACT:

  1. Admission may be test-optional, but scores may be required to qualify for scholarships, including the state-lottery scholarship funded in South Carolina.
  2. Specific majors may require test scores.
  3. Colleges may ask for test scores if your GPA is below a certain point.
  4. Without test scores, the other elements of your application are weighted more heavily. 

**All Heathwood students will take the ACT and SAT on campus in the spring of their junior year.  We encourage students to take at least one additional test.  Please speak with a counselor to determine the best strategy for you. 

Summer Programs

Click the resource below for a list of Summer Programs. Heathwood Hall offers on-campus programming as well.
Summer Programs to Consider >>
Heathwood Hall Summer Programs

Financial Aid and Scholarships

Funding for college requires intentionality, no matter your financial circumstance. The following resources will assist and organize your approach.

SMARTTRACK®
We’re providing the SMARTTRACK® College Funding High School Initiative to assist our 9th-11th grade families with the financial piece of college planning. If you’re concerned that you won’t qualify for financial aid, haven’t saved enough, or don’t have an effective plan to cover the considerable costs of educating all your children, SMARTTRACK® can help. Click here to create your complimentary account. Already created your account?  Login anytime (but do not create a new account).

SMARTTRACK® Account Creation >>
SMARTTRACK® Login >>

Financial Aid
Net Price Calculator >>
FAFSA Form >>
Tips for Completing the FAFSA >>
CSS Profile >>
The College Funding Coach >>

Scholarships
List of Scholarship Resources >>
Additional Scholarship Opportunities >>

Documents and Presentations

Did you receive a document from Heathwood College Counseling and now you can’t find it?  Did you have a conflict with your schedule and could not attend an information session we hosted? You can find that information here!

College Search Process

How to find the right college for you. The 4 Pillars:  Place, People, Program, Price >>
How to use a College Guide Book >>

Glossary of Terms
Commonly Used Terms in the College Admissions Process >>

Questionnaires
Junior Questionnaire on CIALFO >>
Junior Parent Questionnaire >>

Letters of Recommendations

How to choose the right teachers for letters of recommendation >>
The form for juniors to complete and share with teachers about letters of recommendation will be available in the spring of junior year via College Counseling

Heathwood Hall Upper School Curriculum Guide
Upper School Curriculum Guide >>

Athletics

NCAA Eligibility Guide >>
All athletes should complete OPTION 3 on the Eligibility Center Registration to be considered by college coaches in all divisions
Sample Recruiting Timeline >>