Guidance Department

Applying for College

Student Responsibilities

The prime responsibility of a student is to do his/her best job at all times in all things.  Applications to colleges and universities can be viewed as the formal presentation of a candidate for acceptance.  Admissions counselors will be looking to find those people who will be the best fit for their institutions.  Their goal is to admit those folks who will prosper and thrive at that specific school.  As a student in search of a home, the successful candidate has researched the school, studied the requirements, and most importantly, knows that should he/she be accepted to the school, he/she will be able to succeed. In brief, with the help of family and school counselor, a student creates a list of schools to which he/she will make application.  The student should include schools in this list where the match is good academically and socially.  It should also include both a “reach” and a “safety.” A reach school is one that would offer the greatest challenge academically, and a safety is one where chances of acceptance are virtually certain.  The student then formally requests that records be sent to the prospective school via a Transcript Request Form available in the Guidance Office. There is a $3 fee for each transcript sent. The records sent will include an official transcript of grades covering first three academic years, a current report card, a Profile of Archbishop Williams High School, a return postcard indicating that the college received the application, and the counselor’s recommendation. The student also procures letters of recommendation from teachers. In most cases, the teacher will forward his/her recommendation letter to the Guidance Office for inclusion.  It is the responsibility of the student to complete all parts of the official application following the specific directions as they appear on the college application, and send it along to the college. Many schools encourage the use of the Common Application that can be completed either on paper or electronically. 

Counselor Responsibilities 

The key responsibility of the counselor is to facilitate the transition from Archbishop Williams to the next level of a student’s education.  For most, that next step will be to a selected four-year college or university. The Guidance Office is prepared and willing to help in all phases of the transition.  Students will meet regularly with counselors to discuss the college search process and progress being made.  It is not the role of the guidance counselor to choose a specific college, but it is certainly the counselor’s role to advise and assist.  The office will prepare appropriate records and submit these to the student’s choice of school(s).  In addition, each counselor will write the official school recommendation for the student.  The Guidance Office will disseminate information regarding scholarship opportunities as they are received here at school and update the list frequently.  However, it is the student’s responsibility to pursue scholarship and financial aid if needed. The FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) is a critical form available in the late fall but cannot be filed until after Jan.1.  Parents will be invited to a Financial Aid Workshop in early January and should attend, as the information presented is always helpful.  

Parent Responsibilities

During their junior year, students were provided with a suggested list of colleges with the expectation that the student and his/her family will undertake the investigation of these and other colleges. This may include on-site visits to the college and/or website investigation.  It is important to remember that just as the parent is the first and primary teacher, the parent has a key role in the college selection process as well.  You know your son/daughter better than anyone else.  Your input and direction is essential, but it is also important to remember that it is the student who will be spending the next four years in college and he/she should have input as well. Financing higher education is a daunting task and it is therefore imperative that parents learn as much as possible about the sea of options offered for financing the cost of tuition.  Most scholarship aid is college-based and deadlines for aid applications are very important. There are many websites that can offer scholarship information and recommendations, but be wary.  If someone asks you for money to help you find money, look elsewhere.

The college application process is manageable.  Do not hesitate to keep in contact with the Guidance Office.

GUIDANCE PERIOD - Grade 11

Juniors will meet with their Guidance Counselors in a classroom setting once per cycle.

Topics to be covered include:  Assessing your Interest and Talents, What Colleges look for in Prospective Students, Finding Colleges that Match your Goals, Campus Visits, and Financial Assistance. 

The students will also work with the Peterson's Computer program "Directions" to research two and/or four year colleges and career choices.