Hill-Murray School - Introduction

Introduction

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.

FRESHMEN
As freshmen, students explore many occupations, and are exposed to various post high school educational options, and the Naviance Network. To complement this, they take the Differential Aptitude Test and the Career Interest Profile. These tools 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 to prepare them for the next step.

SOPHOMORES
As sophomores, students take the PLAN, a preliminary ACT test. They compare their predicted ACT scores with ACT scores 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.

JUNIORS
In their junior year, students are seen by their counselors in the classroom and individually 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 to gain a predicted SAT score which is compared to their predicted ACT score. They also take a personality inventory to help in exploration of careers. An assignment is completed that requires each student to develop criteria for choosing colleges and then use an internet based 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
Seniors are introduced to the application process in early September. Senior classroom presentations help students create activities resumes, requests for letters of recommendation, 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 in the late fall. 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.

THE MYTH OF THE PERFECT COLLEGE
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 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 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 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:

CAREER RESOURCE CENTER:
The resource center at Hill-Murray contains hundreds of college reference guides, college catalogs, directories, videos and applications. We also recommend the following websites for beginning college searches: www.collegeboard.com. www.princetonreview.com. and www.petersons.com.

COLLEGE REPRESENTATIVES' VISITS:
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.