College Counseling
	We believe that finding a college that is the “right fit” is a gradual and incremental process that begins in 9th grade with a basic awareness of the admissions process but focusing student efforts in the classroom. Everything from this point forward will count on a transcript, but this is also the time for students to discover interests outside of the classroom. Involvement in new clubs and organizations, trying out for sports, increasing involvement in community service are all necessary for creating a well-rounded “Oak”. In 10th grade, students and their parents are moved along the college search highway with the annual “Sophomore Night”. Current seniors and parents of alumni provide advice to help families begin formulating strategies for their individual college exploration. “Junior Night” continues to build upon the knowledge and experience from the past two years. Admission officers deliver thoughtful tidbits of wisdom on visiting campuses, demystifying the admissions process, and constructing a prudent list of schools for submitting applications. By the time students reach 12th grade, college counseling is really all about the nuts and bolts of submitting applications and putting your best foot forward. All students and their families should move through the college search process in a reasonable and steady pace while thoughtfully conducting research on various colleges and universities and preparing to take the time and energy to visit. Understanding college admissions requires a substantial investment from the student with assistance from the family. Students need to be comfortable with taking ownership of the process and advocating out of their own self-interests to find their happy home in the fall after senior year. Open your mind to the incredible number of institutions not only in the United States, but around the world. Don’t be afraid to explore an academic area nobody that you know has studied before. Be proud of finding a school that you believe will complement your academic and social strengths that may not only be absent from your friends and family’s lists, but potentially one that they have never heard of. Emerson once quipped that “Whatever course you decide upon, there is always someone to tell you that you are wrong. There are always difficulties arising which tempt you to believe that your critics are right. To map out a course of action and follow it to an end requires courage.” From introspection to a conscientious effort to learn as much as you can about colleges and the admission process, an investment of time, energy, and personal resources will yield a wonderful group of college options that will result in the “right fit”.                    USEFUL LINKS: Edline Naviance   TESTING *School Code for SAT and ACT: 471573 Register SAT  Register ACT SAT Question of the Day  FINANCIAL AID  & SCHOLARSHIPS FinAid FASFA FastWEB   PROFILE   AP Exam Schedule

	College-Age Alumni Survey of May 2012
	In addition to the warm letters of thanks that we frequently receive from parents, seeking feedback from Norfolk Collegiate college-age alumni help us measure and benchmark how well we are delivering on our mission and philosophy. College “fit” The college counseling office is unique in its drive to find the right “fit” for each graduate – a college or university that has a combination of academic and student life programming that matches the students need for a challenging and fulfilling college career. Based on college-age Norfolk Collegiate alumni who responded to a survey administered this spring: 91% of respondents are attending their first or second choice school 98% are satisfied or very satisfied with the university No one expected to transfer from the current university to complete a degree at another school When selecting a university, the most important factors were the academic program (91%) and the culture of and activities at the school (74%) Our graduates continue the NCS traditions of involvement in specialized clubs (85%) and volunteering in the school or community (60%) “Prepared to thrive in college and beyond” Students are performing well academically (82% report earning a GPA of 3.01 or higher) The majority of our students intend to study towards advanced degrees (over 70%) In a warm and caring community 95% of students believe teachers were interested in his or her personal success 90% continue to keep in touch with their former Norfolk Collegiate classmates Developing talents and interests unique to each student The Norfolk Collegiate program is designed to offer opportunity and rigor across multiple interest areas. Throughout the varied curricular offering, the cumulative outcomes are that students have the academic tools, passion for learning and versatility to thrive wherever they choose to go. The greatest demonstration of achievement is the diverse areas of study reported by our college age-graduates: Architecture Anthropology Biological, environmental or physical sciences Business/Accounting Economics English/Literature Education Engineering Health-related fields History International Studies Political Science Psychology Sociology Physics/German Criminal Justice Media and Cultural Studies Urban Planning Sports Management Parks, Rec and Tourism Communications