At Tilton, College Counseling is involved in every grade level because the process starts well before senior year.
“It’s really building that framework to build confidence, strength, and maturity in the student so that when they do go to college, they’re ready.” says Co-Director of College Counseling, Mark Hoven.
9th/10th Grade – Explorations
As 9th and 10th graders, students work with the counselors in various capacities on campus, less focused on college, and more aiming toward getting to know the student.
“Even though they’re not ready to start college counseling, 9th and 10th graders still work on post-Tilton-planning, they start that process the moment they step foot on this campus,” says Co-Director of College Counseling, Michaela Thomas.
Students immerse themselves in a new environment and gain a sense of independence, which opens up many avenues for learning. As they explore various subjects, sports, and friendships, they develop a strong sense of self-identity.
11th Grade – The Research Phase
The College Counseling team meets regularly with students starting in 11th grade. The counselors help students choose the right classes for their college or career goals. As students apply what they’ve learned about themselves to find their perfect school or career path, counselors work closely with them to create a list of ideal schools. Juniors are expected to spend the summer researching schools that interest them to prepare for the application process they will complete in the fall of their senior year.
12th/PG – Bringing it to Life
The Post-Tilton Defense is a tradition for all seniors and post-graduates to complete by November of their graduating year. After three years of self-study, they present their post-graduation plans to a panel of faculty and/or staff, who ask questions about their decision and the process they followed to reach it. This ensures students have thoughtfully considered their future after leaving the Hill and helps them develop valuable planning skills for other areas of their lives.
After their Post-Tilton Defense, seniors work with their counselor to finish applications, apply for financial aid and scholarships, and complete other tasks to prepare for graduation. They continue this partnership until graduation, when their Post-Tilton plans are just beginning.
“I think as college counselors and educators, what we want most for our students is for them to thrive and be successful. And if they can do that here, they can take that to the next level,” says Hoven.