College Counseling Process

At Brunswick, we have a unique arrangement regarding the relationship between the College Guidance Office and the students. We do not assign students to a particular counselor; rather, both Mr. Philip and Mr. Burdett work together with each senior during every stage of the college process. During the spring of the junior year, each junior is required to meet with each of us 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, Mr. Philip and Mr. Burdett, along with the student, create a list of colleges 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 send for catalogues, viewbooks, and other pertinent materials. The college video library in Mr. Philip's office is also useful at this stage. 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 us regularly (every few days).

We encourage parental involvement in the process and with our office.

During the spring of the junior year or fall of the senior year, we will talk with as many parents as possible, preferably in person but certainly by phone. 

The final list, indicating where each student will apply, will be generated following another meeting with each senior in the early fall. We will send a copy of the Final College List home prior to Thanksgiving.

The task that then remains for all seniors is to carefully organize application requirements for each school to which he plans to apply and to begin writing applications and essays. We are available and eager to read essays but we do not insist upon doing so. Our philosophy is to let students be in charge of their own process and to encourage them to use our advice as often as they need or want it.

As much of the application process occurs at home, we encourage parents to monitor their son's progress and to alert us immediately if they see any significant signs of procrastination.

Our involvement will continue until late spring when every student has made a final decision. Our work in the senior spring includes helping to plan visits to schools where a student has been admitted and providing assistance with wait lists and financial aid. We will be there every step of the way.