About Our Program
	The primary goal of our College Advising program is to assist students in finding “the right fit” in a college or university. By working closely with students and their families, we strive to provide attractive college options and choices at the end of the process. With a staff that includes four faculty advisors and an administrative assistant, the office is equipped to give students significant personal attention and flexibility in helping tailor certain aspects of the process to individual student (ie: athletic recruiting, art/music portfolios, and other special talents or circumstances). While the program begins in earnest during the fifth form year, below you will find out year by year expectations and plans for students.

	Third Form Year
	Put thought into the selection of courses. Strength of curriculum is very important, especially if selective colleges are going to be considered. Talk to your current teachers and Sam Simmons, Director of Studies, about what courses are most appropriate. There is not a lot of room for variance in our Third Form curriculum, but it is important to look for opportunities to insure you are taking the strongest curriculum that is appropriate for your ability.   If possible, it is strongly advised to begin the study of a foreign language.   Study hard! Third Form grades DO count in the college selection process. Do your best from the start- you will be glad you did.   Do additional reading outside of your required texts - often!   Get involved in activities, community service, clubs, the vestry, sports, music, and/or the arts. Try something new!   Make the effort to get to know your advisor, teachers, dorm parents, and coaches well. The adults in your life will be important advocates for you when you get into the college admissions process. They will be writing letters of recommendation for you and are another resource the College Advising Office will count on to learn about you in as much detail as possible.   Start a resume and keep track of your activities and accomplishments.   Stay busy during the summer. Get a job or volunteer. Attend summer camps, programs, classes, and/or athletic camps. Whatever you chose, make the most of your experience and the time you have to better yourself.

	Fourth Form Year
	All Fourth Formers will be registered, by the School, to take the PSAT in the October.  Take tougher classes and earn good grades. Always do your best in your classes. Don’t hesitate to seek your teachers out for extra help.   Stay involved in your activities and sports and look for leadership opportunities. Do your best to remain consistent in your participation - don’t jump around too much between sports and activities if possible.   Take the PSAT along with the rest of the Fourth Form in the fall.   Study hard! These grades DO count in the college selection process. Continue expecting the best from yourself in your classes.    If there is a potential interest in a US military academy, request a pre-candidate questionnaire and fill it out.   If you have an interest in pursuing a sport in college, attend camps and showcases during the summer.    If you plan on submitting a portfolio of art or music, begin to collect your work.   Update your resume and keep track of activities and accomplishments. Collect letters of recommendation, if appropriate.    Do something with your summer! Get a job, volunteer, train for your sport, pursue your interests and passions. Tour college campuses.

	Fifth Form Year
	Stay involved and take a more active leadership role in the clubs and activities that interest. Start asking yourself if these are activities you would like to pursue in college.   The 5th Form will be registered, by the School, in order to take the PSAT in the October. Scores are not used for admissions purposes, but they can provide useful information as the college search gets underway. Students with very high scores may be eligible for National Merit Scholarship consideration.    In the fall, you may wish to begin meeting with college representatives who visit campus or attending the evening college fairs at Hotchkiss. These representatives are often the first reader of your application.    The Fifth Form College Symposium Weekend in January will be the formal kick-off of the college process. Three college admissions officers participate in a panel discussion, followed by a question and answer session. You will also be assigned a college advisor and introduced to what the next 12 months will look like in the college process.   Take the SAT in January and May. Take the SAT II in June if applicable. Take the ACT in April (and again in June if advised). Visit colleges over March break.    Talk to your Salisbury coaches if you are interested in playing a sport at the college level and get a list of schools or an indication of the level of competition for which you project.   Work closely with the Art Department if you are preparing a portfolio. Be aware of “Portfolio Days” in the coming fall and winter and their locations.   Work hard on your classes. “C’s” in the Fifth Form year create difficult hurdles to overcome in the process. Take challenging courses and do your best.   Take Chemistry or Physics - these courses have increasing importance in the college process.   Meet with your college advisor a minimum three times in the late winter and spring trimesters.   Ask for teacher recommendations from a History or English and a Science or Mathematics teacher if at all possible.   Update your resume.    This is a very important summer. Get a job or volunteer. If possible, attend camps, conferences, or classes that help you accentuate your academic interests. Attend showcases and camps if you plan on pursuing an athletic interest in college.   When registering for Sixth Form classes, remember that the rigor of your curriculum is important. Take the most challenging courses that are appropriate for your abilities and interests.   Fill out your Fifth Form Questionnaire as provided by the College Office by the end of January.   Register with the NCAA Eligibility Center if you are considering playing a sport in college.   Write one college essay in your English class in the spring trimester and work on another over the course of the summer.    Visit Colleges over the course of the summer and begin to pare down your college list.

	Sixth Form Year
	As soon as you get back to school, schedule an appointment with your college counselor to fill him/her in on your summer adventures, college visits and your college list.   The application process begins in earnest. Students should organize themselves as best as possible, observing all deadlines for admission and scholarships. Because of our late start date, work should begin on this from home prior to arriving on campus.   Take the SAT in October and in November and/or December if needed. January is likely one final opportunity in some situations as well. If recommended, take the ACT in October and/or December.   Be aware of the requirements of each of your schools or the specific programs. For example: SAT II’s, foreign language, certain levels of math, supplemental essays, recommendations, portfolios, or auditions.   If teacher recommendations are still needed, students should ask teachers right at the beginning of the school year.   Make the effort to meet with college representatives when they visit campus and to attend the college fairs over at Hotchkiss. These are important opportunities as the representative is often the first reader on your application.   Work hard in your classes and maintain the best possible grades you can.   If interested in financial aid, parents fill out FAFSA as early as possible after January 1. (www.fafsa.ed.gov). Other schools, particularly private colleges, also require the PROFILE—CSS (www.collegeboard.com).   Give the college advising office at least two weeks’ notice before any deadlines, so that we can insure that materials are sent in a timely fashion.   Be aware that some schools offer a variety of Early Application opportunities and rolling admissions as well, so deadlines can come up very early in the year.   Use Parent’s Weekend to visit schools one more time if needed.   Mail your applications as soon as they are ready. Do not wait until the day of the deadline to submit. Colleges do take note of when they receive an application.