Monthly College Counseling Update: September 2021

Archmere Seniors

The College Counseling Office is completing individual meetings with all senior families in preparation to process nearly 1,000 applications in the next month. We’d like to thank all the teachers that wrote recommendation letters for seniors and urge our students do the same. 
It’s a busy time for seniors balancing family, friends, extracurricular activities, academics, and their college search and applications. Thank you to everyone that provides support to them during this process. 
 
Archmere Juniors

We addressed the juniors at their class meeting on Wednesday. Soon, they too will be in the midst of the college search and selection journey. As a reminder, we recommend that juniors visit (virtually or in person) two or three schools prior to their December individual meeting with their college counselor. The annual College Panel, required for the Class of 2023, will be Tuesday, November 16th at 6:30 in the Theater. 
 
Sophomores and First Year Students

We addressed each of these groups in their class meetings on Wednesday. The message shared was one of focusing on transition into a new year. One year of academic work can be as much as 33% of a student’s academic work presented to a college admission office. It’s important that students start the year of well and identify problems and ask for help earlier rather than later. Requesting help is a strength, not a weakness. We also shared a message of giving time to things that you enjoy and identifying opportunities to help others and build classmates up. Students that improve any of the communities they are a part of will be those that college admission offices will want on their campuses. And commitment to a four year activity is the second best predictor of college success and completion, the first being classroom performance.
 
Professional Development

Mrs. Reigner, as Co-Chair of the Pennsylvania Association for College Admission Counseling's (PACAC) Professional Development Committee, was a part of a group individuals recognized with the National Association for College Admission Counseling’s (NACAC) Rising Star Award for the Committee’s Promoting Inclusivity & Equity Lunch and Learn Series. Mrs. Reigner coordinated the series and presented several of the webinars. At the same NACAC conference that Mrs. Reigner received her award, Mr. Boehm presented an educational session to in-person and virtual attendees on Reverse Advisory Boards. Mr. Boehm organized the session with the help of representatives from The Hill School, Downingtown East High School, Hobart William Smith College, and The Penn State University. The college counseling office also visited six colleges during the conference and met up with two Archmere alumni. 
 
Upcoming Programming 
  • Financial Aid Night (Senior Parents only) - October 5th (virtual)
  • Test Prep Night - November 5th (virtual)
  • College Panel (Junior students required to attend, all other community members welcome) - November 16th
  • Junior Career Day - December 3rd (in-person, on-campus)
  • Practice ACT test (free) - December 4th
  • Junior Parent Night I - December 9th (parents asked to attend one of the two programs)
  • Junior Parent Night II - January 11th 
  • Practice SAT test (free) - January 29th
 
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Archmere Academy is a private, Catholic, college preparatory co-educational academy,
grades 9-12 founded in 1932 by the Norbertine Fathers.