Our college counseling program guides students and parents through the complexities and challenges of the admissions process. We assess each student’s goals and work closely with them to find colleges where those goals are attainable and students can flourish.
We offer a variety of programming to prepare families for the application process, including annual spring break college road trips, financial aid presentations, and standardized test preparation in junior year. Additionally, more than 40 college admissions representatives visit the high school each year to meet with our students.
Students who wish to write an AP exam in a subject of particular expertise find encouragement and support for their independent studies from the faculty at Steiner.
Leah Braithwaite holds a BA in English World Literature from Marymount Manhattan College and an MFA in Creative Writing from The New School.
Personalized college guidance and academic support begins in Grade 9 and extends through the high school years and into the future.
• Students are introduced to the college process and how they can make the most of their time in high school to maximize their academic experience and develop an exceptional college profile.
• Collaborating with the College Guidance Department, and keeping college aspirations in mind, personal advisors work with students to develop an academic plan that balances rigor and self-expression.
• Students have the opportunity to take practice standardized tests.
• Students and Parents are invited to attend an information session on the college process and how they can make the most of their time in high school to maximize their academic experience, prepare for standardized tests, plan college visits, and develop an exceptional college profile.
• Students may take the PSAT10 and a mock-ACT for the first time.
• Students and their families are invited to attend the spring break college road trip where we visit five colleges in one region that are all different. We explore large public universities, small selective liberal arts colleges, art and design institutions, and elite universities, just to name a few.
• Parents are encouraged to attend an information session on financial aid.
• Students meet one-on-one and as a class with the College Counselor to build a college list, create a standardized testing calendar, and activate various college application databases such as Scoir and the CommonApp in preparation for the 12th grade.
• The College Counselor conducts an information session at the beginning of the 11th grade going over the year ahead in the college application process. At the end of the year the 11th grade and their families attend a session detailing how to prepare for the college application process in the 12th grade by utilizing their time in the summer.
• Students attend a writing workshop in the summer to complete personal statement drafts and supplemental essays. Students are encouraged to begin the 12th grade with their personal statement finalized.
• Parents and students are encouraged to attend information sessions on financial aid.
• Students can take their first official standardized tests (SAT/ACT).
• Students and their families are invited to attend the spring break college road trip to help gain an understanding of the best fit university and where they can visualize their academic future.
• A 12th grade college evening takes place where students and families learn information on college admission counselor visits, important application deadlines, application lingo (Early Decision, Early Action, FAFSA, Scoir), and college visits (physical and virtual).
• Students meet one-on-one with the College Counselor to finalize their list and complete applications.
• College admission counselors visit Steiner to meet with prospective students and share information on what makes their university unique.
• Students and the College Counselor celebrate their hard-work and achievements as college acceptances are received.
