Current Parent and Student Resources - Garrison Forest School

College Counseling

Parent & Student Resources

This is your hub for all things College Counseling. Here you will find relevant articles and recommended books, scholarship information, application resources, upcoming events, and more. Please reach out to College Counseling should you have any questions about any of the information on this page!

Looking for a volunteer or academic enrichment opportunity? Be sure to regularly check the Enrichment Opportunities section of the GFS website! College Counseling regularly updates this page with opportunities we hear about that may interest our students. Many of these opportunities are available over the summer, but some occur during the school year.

College Counseling Newsletters

College Counseling Fall 2022 Newsletter

November 2022

College Counseling Winter 2023 Newsletter

January 2023

College Counseling Spring 2023 Newsletter

March 2023

Application Resources

College Application Timelines

9th Grade

10th Grade

11th Grade

Checklist & Timeline for Juniors and Seniors

College Search Websites

College Xpress

Colleges That Change Lives

Big Future by the College Board

College Navigator

Niche

College Data Search

Testing

SAT & ACT registration and test centers

CollegeBoard website (SAT)

ACT Website

Khan Academy

Test Optional Admission

List of Test Optional Colleges

Check out this article from November 2022 on test optional admission

Undergraduate Honors & Leadership Programs

The NCAA Guide for the College-Bound Student-Athlete 2022-2023

How to Handle Waitlist Decisions

If you find yourself on a waitlist, College Counseling can help talk you through next steps. We also recommend these articles to reference:

Five Tips for Getting Off The Waitlist And Into The Admit Pile (Forbes)

What To Do If You're Waitlisted (College Board's BigFuture)

Final College Decision

Need help weighing the pros and cons for each school where you gained admission? Use this document to help you make your final college decision.

Upcoming Events

Virtual College Fair hosted by the Potomac and Chesapeake Association for College Admission Counseling

Monday, May 22, 2023

During this virtual college fair, attendees will have the chance to hear from many different colleges. You can choose which colleges you want to hear from my registering for their sessions. Participants will be able to ask questions of the college representatives throughout the presentations. The program will also include a college knowledge session on the college search process presented by college admissions professionals. Check out the schedule, list of colleges, and register now!

Past College Counseling Event Videos

College Admissions Panel

April 25, 2023

Click here to access the recording of our College Admissions Panel, co-hosted with Boys' Latin School, featuring representatives from Bucknell University, University of Pennsylvania, University of Tennessee, and Towson University, who shared general advice and insight about the college search and admissions landscape.

Junior College Kickoff

December 6, 2022

Access the recording here. The College Counselors provided detailed information about the college search process and planning ahead.

A Look at Testing in the Changing Landscape of College Admission

November 15, 2022

Here is a recording of this program which featured Phil Pine, Founder and Director of Capital Educators, where he shared insight on standardized testing in the ever-changing college admission process.

Preparing for the Future of Digital Admission Testing (an exclusive event for AIMS families)

November 2, 2022

In cased you missed it, here is a recording of this virtual event presented by experts at Compass Education Group, who led a thoughtful and pragmatic discussion of the future of college admission testing. The presentation addresses College Board's sweeping overhaul to the SAT suite of assessments. Starting in the fall of 2023, paper-based administrations of the PSAT and SAT will be completely replaced by an adaptive, computer-based format. The introduction of a digital assessment comes at a poignant time in today's admission context, where colleges are actively interrogating the value of standardized testing in students' applications. And while nearly all schools adopted test optional policies in the wake of the pandemic, admission offices have demonstrated varying preferences for test scores.

AIMS Paying for College Night

September 21, 2022

For families who were unable to join us, here is a recording (Passcode: AIMSPaying) of the AIMS Paying for College Night, featuring Chad Spencer, Senior Associate Dean of Admission and Financial Aid and Director of Financial Aid at Davidson College. Chad provided an overview of the college financial aid process. Topics included: how to apply for aid, what do colleges look for when determining need, and the difference between grants, scholarships, and need-based aid.

12th Grade College Night

September 15, 2022

For parents and students who were unable to join us, here is our presentation where we discuss the college application process and what to expect during this year of transition. Our guest speaker was Susie Hanks, Director of Admissions at Union College.

College Night for Parents of Sophomores and Freshmen

May 17, 2022

For parents who were unable to join us, watch our presentation which details what to expect in the next few years as your student prepares for life after GFS. Features a keynote address by Ms. Molly Boegel, Assistant Vice President for Enrollment and Director of Admissions Programs and Services at Dickinson College.

Athletics Recruiting Chalk Talk

May 17, 2022

For parents of scholar-athletes who were unable to join us, here is the presentation by Jessy Morgan, Athletic Director, and Elizabeth Almeter, Director of College Counseling. Together, they chatted about summer recruitment planning and expectations

Explore Careers and Interests

16 Personality Traits

FAQ's

What should I do if I need to miss a school day to visit a college?

If a student must miss classes in order to visit a college, they should fill out a College Day Request Form and obtain signatures from Mrs. Almeter or Ms. Bogdan, their advisor, as well as teachers whose classes they're missing. They must then turn in the completed form to the Dean of Students Office at least 48 hours before they depart for their college visit. Signing the form confirms that students understand they must complete all academic obligations before leaving campus. When students are visiting colleges, they should follow our COVID-19 protocol travel guidelines and keep the Health Center informed about travel. The most up to date travel guidelines may be found here. As a reminder, students will not be allowed to learn virtually if quarantined due to travel.

I am interested in playing a sport in college; what should I know?

I may be interested in a Service Academy; how is that application process different from applying to colleges/universities?

What should I do if I'm interested in a Gap Year?

The term “gap year” refers to a year between high school and college where students elect to spend a year volunteering (nationally or internationally), working or traveling. Taking a gap year has long been a tradition in Europe and is gaining popularity in the United States. Students apply to college during their senior year, gain acceptance and make an enrollment deposit to the school of their choice in May of the senior year. A formal request to defer admission for a gap year is made by the student to the admissions office with details about the plan for the student’s time away. Most colleges are open to deferment, particularly when the plan for the interim year is well thought out. After the gap year, students enroll in the college to which they were admitted during their senior year. GFS College Counseling supports with an interest in a gap year for personal growth; we do not support a gap year intended to strengthen a student’s resume in an attempt to submit another round of admissions applications at the end of the gap year.

While a gap year is not for everyone, this section provides resources for education and exploration. Please feel free to discuss the possibility of a gap year with our college counselors.

Gap Year Resources and Descriptions compiled by Middlebury College.

Will I earn college credits for my AP courses?

There can be many benefits to challenging yourself with AP coursework in high school. AP courses help to prepare you for the rigor of college and, in the college admission process, admissions representatives appreciate seeing a student challenge themself with rigorous courses. You may even earn college credit or placement for AP scores. Use this tool to find colleges that offer credit or placement for AP scores.

Relevant Articles

Dealing With College Admission Disappointment

December 6, 2022

What Does an SAT Score Mean Anymore?

November 18, 2022

12 Ways to Reduce Stress During the College Admissions Process

October 23, 2022

Why Parents Should Let Their Kids Take the Lead During College Application Season

October 25, 2022

College Admission: One Factor Among Many

October, 24, 2022

University System of Maryland votes to no longer require SAT, ACT scores for admissions

June 23, 2022

Help Teens Weather the Blow of College Rejection Letters

2022

A New Way to Think About Your College List: the Buyers and Sellers

2021

The Future of Admissions

March 10, 2021

Handling College Admission Decisions: A Sidecar Parent’s Guide

December 3, 2021

31 Facts About FAFSA for Parents

November 29, 2021

Ten Things a Teen Needs to Think About Before They Choose a College

October 21, 2020

Seven Things I Wish I Had Known Before Freshman Year of College

July 12, 2020

Paying for College

Scholarship Opportunity for Seniors:

For those interested in studying Early Childhood Education in college, TeacherCertification.com is offering a $1,000 scholarship. The deadline to apply is June 1, 2023. More information is available here.

Scholarship Search Sites

31 Facts about FAFSA for Parents

The Ultimate List of the Nation's Most Generous Colleges ~ Schools that Meet 100% of Financial Need

If you are a Maryland resident and think you may attend college in-state, check out the Maryland Higher Education Commission for state and local scholarship opportunities.

Be sure to refer to our Money Matters Guide for suggestions on how to research scholarship opportunities and apply for financial aid.

Need help decoding a financial aid award letter? Take a look at this sample annotated award letter that breaks down the critical components of a school's financial aid offer.