For those who wish, preparation for college may begin as soon as a student enters Hill-Murray. Students' coursework is planned each year to provide a solid college preparatory foundation, and meetings with counselors help ensure that students stay on track with regard to their long-term goals.
As freshmen, students are exposed to various post high school educational options and their four year Career Portfolios.
In addition, they take the Differential Aptitude Test and IDEAS Interest
Inventory. These help introduce the concept of combining aptitudes and
abilities along with interests (likes/dislikes) when exploring careers. Students are encouraged to keep their future plans in mind as they develop a four-year academic plan, which delineates the courses they will take at Hill-Murray.
As sophomores, students take PLAN, a preliminary ACT test. They compare their predicted ACT scores and class ranks to the class rank and ACT score necessary for admission to various colleges. Under the direction of their counselor, they complete a career report that combines their interests with their abilities as identified by the PLAN test and attend a Career Fair.
In their junior year, students are seen by their counselors in the classroom for career development and college search preparation.
An English 11 required Career Shadowing Experience affords juniors the opportunity to spend a day with professionals to learn about qualifications, education requirements, and job opportunities in a variety of career fields. In addition, they take the PSAT and
Hall Occupational Orientation Inventory. An assignment is completed that requires each student to develop criteria for choosing colleges and then use the
internet based Minnesota Career Information System college sort program to select colleges on the basis of individual criteria. Juniors are also encouraged to attend
college fairs and begin
visiting colleges to look at admission requirements and available programs.
Seniors are introduced to the application
process in early September. Senior classroom presentations help students create activities resumes, senior course schedules, essays and complete applications. Students should schedule individual appointments with their counselors as often as necessary for assistance in preparation for college. A financial aid presentation for both parents and students is made during the month of December. Counselors have valuable information in the "how to's" of the college application process, and they are available to
help so that the application process is done in a timely manner.
Some parents and some students have the
mythical notion that there is one “perfect” college or university for them to
apply. Hopefully, with more than 4000 four-year colleges and universities and
over 6000 two-year community and technical colleges in the United States, there
is more than one “right” college for each student.
Having been through the admissions cycle with students and parents for a number
of years, we believe there are several variables that go into a search:
location, size, cost, setting, programs offered, campus life, financial aid
opportunities, admission standards and so on. Can all of these ingredients ever
fit together to create the perfect college? The closest definition for us for
the perfect college is one that has more positive than negative variables and is
a good personal and programmatic match for a student.
These variables need to be discussed between parents and students NOW. The
greater the disparities the more discussion that has to occur. Parents and
students have college aspirations, plans and ideas revolving around the idea of
the perfect college. Now is the time to family conference to sort through these
college search factors.
Last but not least, WE (COUNSELORS) DON’T’ “FIND” COLLEGES FOR FAMILIES.
Instead, we act as resources allowing you to discover available college options
and make your own decisions. Our “arsenal of stuff” includes standard
publications and books, specialized materials, computer searches and Internet
access. Additionally, colleges to which our students have applied provide us
with information materials (including applications) and support, including
representative visits to Hill-Murray. Last but not least, we have our
experiences from literally hundreds of previous students on which to draw.
WE (COUNSELORS) PROVIDE help to families who need information and assistance in
this college search so students can realize the dream of post-secondary
education as a well-researched, rewarding, positive experience while remaining a
comfortable endeavor for supportive, caring parents.
Other features of the Hill-Murray College Counseling Program include:
The resource center at Hill-Murray contains hundreds of college reference guides, college catalogs, directories, videos and applications. The school subscribes to
Minnesota Career Information System (MNCIS), a comprehensive web based program designed to help students with career choices and college selection:
http://www.mncis.intocareers.com,
Username: hill-murray, Password:pioneers
Many
college representatives visit Hill-Murray
throughout the school year affording students the opportunity to meet in small groups during their junior and senior years. Students and parents are encouraged to attend these informational meetings about the colleges.
Please also feel free to call the Guidance and Counseling Department Office (651-748-2428) with any questions.