The Heathwood Hall Approach
Heathwood Graduates are College Bound and Ready
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 inform juniors and their families about various aspects of the college process and build excitement for the journey ahead.
- Representatives from local, regional, and national colleges 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 college counseling staff as they prepare student recommendations.
- Programs are available for students interested in playing collegiate sports, with guidance provided throughout their Upper School tenure.
On a more organic basis, the college counseling office engages freshmen and sophomores in developmentally appropriate ways to inspire them to position themselves optimally for a broad range of college options.
- Freshmen and sophomores are introduced to Cialfo early in the fall semester. Through this platform, they take interest tests and learn to research colleges, make activity lists, and build tentative college lists that evolve throughout high school.
- Sophomores attend assigned college-representative visits in the fall, interacting with representatives and the college office about what they’ve learned.
- Spring programming helps underclassmen consider curriculum choices and understand college admission requirements.
Cialfo
Cialfo is our dedicated college planning platform for research, storage, and document delivery.
- General Overview and Profile Creation >>
- Login >>
- Interest Inventories >>
- Document Activities and Awards >>
| Heathwood Hall College Counseling Handbook |
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Everything a student or parent needs to know about the college-counseling application process can be found in the College Counseling Handbook. |
| Heathwood Hall Upper School Profile |
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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 2024 - 2025 edition. |
| 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:
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PSAT
- While many colleges and universities offer a test-optional path to admission, there are numerous reasons to take the SAT or ACT:
- Admission may be test-optional, but scores may be required to qualify for scholarships, including the state-lottery scholarship funded in South Carolina.
- Specific majors may require test scores.
- Colleges may ask for test scores if your GPA is below a certain point.
- 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 for 2025
Click the resource below for a list of Summer Programs for 2025.
Summer Programs to Consider >>
Financial Aid and Scholarships
Funding for college requires intentionality, no matter your financial circumstance. The following resources will assist and organize your approach.
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).
| Financial Aid |
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| Net Price Calculator >> |
| FAFSA Form >> |
| Tips for Completing the FAFSA >> |
| CSS Profile >> |
| Scholarships |
| List of Scholarship Resources >> |
| Additional Scholarship Opportunities >> |
| 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 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 >> |