The College Counseling program is designed to help students, beginning in 9th grade, understand the college search, selection and application process and to assist them through it to a successful conclusion. The college counselor works with each student and family, helping to navigate the complicated and sometimes overwhelming process of applying to college. The college counselor begins, with the partnership of faculty and parents, by helping students clarify their educational and personal goals, matching themselves with colleges which help them reach these goals, and guide students through the application process.
College Counseling begins working with students in the ninth grade. In 9th and 10th grades, College Counseling meets with students to discuss study skills, working on maintaining strong academic records, and selecting co-curricular activities that will support their college applications. College Counseling also provides information on College Fairs, college visits, techniques for interviewing with admission counselors, and how to research schools. In the 10th grade, Oakcrest students take their first Advanced Placement exam (AP). In 11th grade, College Counseling focuses students on building their resume (internships, leadership), encourages students to take challenging courses, additional school visits and testing (SAT, AP, PSAT). In their senior year, students work with College Counseling to apply for scholarships and through the overall college application process. This includes: writing essays, polishing each student’s “resume”, interviewing skills, collecting letters of recommendation from teachers, and testing. Once the letters of acceptance are received, College Counseling helps students weigh their options.
One hundred percent of Oakcrest graduates are accepted to a four-year college or university.