Process
At Brunswick, we have a unique arrangement regarding the relationship between the College Guidance Office and the students. During the spring of junior year, each student is required to meet with the college counselors beginning in March. The "entrance ticket" to this first college meeting is a completed Student Information Questionnaire with essay. This meeting reviews the student's selection of senior courses, testing plans, and discussion of the Student Information Questionnaire. (Students are urged/required to complete this questionnaire thoroughly and thoughtfully during Spring Break.)
During this meeting, a discussion of possible college choices takes place. As a result of the meeting, a list of colleges is created for the student to investigate. This initial college list will serve as a foundation for the college search but it will be updated, added to, and changed throughout the process. A copy of this initial list will be mailed home in April or May. It is worthwhile noting here that in many cases, this initial list is quite large and will require further clarification of preferences (geography, size, etc.) on the student's part
Armed with an initial list, the student then starts to research colleges. After careful research and more discussion, the student begins to set up a summer visiting program if possible. The optimum time for visiting and having interviews is in late August/early September. Larger schools can be visited at any time for they usually have summer programs so one can get a "feel" for the school. Smaller schools are often quiet during the summer, so visits to those schools should be scheduled during the two weeks just prior to the start of school in September.
Once school has begun, seniors are granted college visiting days as needed. Other good times for college visits are Saturday mornings, Columbus Day weekend, and the Thanksgiving recess.
During the fall of the senior year, students continue meeting with the college counselors regularly (every few days). Parental involvement in the process and with the college guidance office is encouraged including phone conversations with as many parents as possible, preferably in person but certainly by phone or even via e-mail.
The final list, indicating where each student will apply, will be generated following another meeting with each senior in the early fall. A copy of the final college list will be sent home prior to Thanksgiving.
The task that then remains for all seniors is carefully to organize application requirements for each school to which he plans to apply and to begin writing applications and essays. Everyone in the college office is available and eager to read essays, but do not insist upon doing so. The School's philosophy is to let a student be in charge of his own process and to encourage them to use the advice of the guidance office as often as they need or want it. It is crucial that parents guard against taking over the process. As an element of our advisory program each senior's advisor will assist in the college process, helping with organization, deadlines, etc. Advisors will in some cases help craft the student's recommendation.
As much of the application process occurs at home, parents are encouraged to monitor their son's progress and to alert the School immediately if they see any significant signs of procrastination.
Involvement of the college counselors will continue until late spring when every student has made a final decision. During senior spring work with the college counselling office continues, to help plan visits to schools where a student has been admitted and to provide assistance with wait lists and financial aid. The School is supportive of the seniors every step of the way.