Summer greetings from the College Counseling Office
The College Counseling Office hopes that students are getting a much deserved break from school and are finding ways to recharge their batteries for next year. Counselors, too, are eager to get some time away from the office. Ms. Hernandez will be in the College Counseling Office all summer; emails and phone calls should be directed to her at ihernandez@polytechnic.org or 626-396-6622. She will be in regular contact with the counselors and is happy to assist students and parents.
While counselors and students alike benefit from being well rested when school begins in the fall, summer is also the ideal time to take care of some tasks related to the college application process. Some students have expressed an interest in “getting a jump start,” so we are providing a summer checklist.
Many of you will be traveling, working, or enrolled in summer courses, and we do not want to add to your list of obligations, so please know this is not a mandatory summer assignment. That said, spending even just a few hours each week during the summer researching schools online, working on an art portfolio, journaling, or preparing for auditions can save a great deal of time later on in the fall. Also, The Fiske Guide and other college-related books make for great summer reading material at the beach or on an airplane!
Students are asked to take a moment to review the list of tasks and see what they are able to cross off their lists during the summer. Regardless of how busy they are or what their travel plans may be, students should at least be able to take care of simple tasks now, such as registering for their fall SAT or ACT tests. (Students should refer to the customized testing plan they received in their notes from the initial spring meeting with their college counselor.)
Parents may want to use the summer months to help seniors get organized—buy an accordion file or a series of folders and help sort through all the college brochures. Get a head start on planning your child’s fall trip week itinerary. (Refer to the attached checklist for details.) If you haven't already done so, complete the parent questionnaire and send to Ms. Hernandez. If you need a hiatus from the college planning details, consider spending some time organizing old photos and baby pictures of your rising senior. This will give you a head start on designing your yearbook dedication page.
Wherever their summer plans may take them—from traveling to exotic locations, to scooping ice cream at 31 Flavors, summer school T.A.’ing, two-a-day practices, or simply babysitting the neighborhood kids, seniors should enjoy the change of pace that summer brings. We look forward to seeing you in mid-August.
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