College Counseling

Director of College Counseling: Catherine Gillespie

March 2010 College Newsletter

February 2010 College Newsletter

January 2010 College Newsletter

November 2009 College Newsletter

October 2009 College Newsletter

September 2009 College Newsletter

In keeping with the Tandem Friends philosophy of honoring the individual and each individual's unique interests and talents, the College Counseling office works with students and their families to ensure that each student’s needs are met beyond Tandem Friends School. We believe that choosing a college is an opportunity for students to further develop interests, define talents, and to consider their own individual ideas, dreams and values.

Notice to Parents of Juniors: Parents of the Class of 2011 are asked to complete the Parent Recommendation and e-mail it to Catherine at your earliest convenience.

Click here to access the form.

The Process in a Nutshell

The college counseling staff is available for consultation, as needed, beginning in the 9th grade. All students in the Upper School receive the college counseling monthly newsletter and are invited to a college admissions panel and financial aid workshop in the fall.

During the fall of their sophomore year, students begin to work with the College Counseling office as they prepare for the PSAT. A four-week preparation session is offered on the weekends prior to the test in October (all sophomores are required to take the PSAT at this time). Sophomores are also introduced to the college search process at the end of their sophomore year when the College Counselor teaches three sessions during their English classes in May.

Juniors also have the opportunity to take the four-week preparation class prior to the PSAT in October; most juniors also take the SAT in the spring. Additionally, juniors are provided with pre-college counseling sessions that cover the admissions process and include a preliminary college search, essay tips, help deciding which faculty will be asked to prepare the student’s college recommendations, and ample opportunity to ask questions about the process as a whole. The college counselor meets with all juniors and their parents, as a group, in the fall to discuss general expectations. Individual meetings are held with juniors and their parents to discuss student needs and plans. Many juniors will begin their college visits in the late spring and summer months.

All seniors who have not already done so take either the SAT or the ACT in the fall, as faculty members continue to work on student recommendations. The Director of College Counseling meets on a regular basis with seniors to individually review their final college selections, assist with applications, provide general counseling and conduct mock interviews for those wishing to hone their interviewing skills. Seniors begin work on their college essays in English class and continue to visit colleges in the fall. Most applications, with attendant school material, are due between December and February. When college decision letters are received, college counselors assist students and their parents in making final decisions.

For more detailed information about the college search and application process, please review our Choices Handbook.