Your Senior Year should be the best year of your life. It should not be dominated by the college search, but rather maintaining a balance that will allow you to participate in all school and extracurricular activities of your choice while laying the groundwork for attending college in the fall. For these reasons, The Patrick School begins guidance on the college search early in the high school career.   The school Guidance Counselor is always available to develop an individualized plan and answer questions.  Students begin making visits as a group to college fairs during their sophomore year.  All prospective college student-athletes have their academic progress monitored by our NCAA Academic Counselor from the beginning of their academic career to ensure that they are taking the right courses, registering for SAT and ACT tests, maintaining the proper GPA and making progress toward becoming academically eligible to accept an NCAA scholarship if offered one. The follow guidelines are a good place to start for all students as they begin to think about college:

Know Yourself:

  • Recognize Your Strengths and Weaknesses
  • Consider ALL Colleges of Interest
  • Look At Your Future With Enthusiasm

Consider Your Reasons For Attending College:

  • Personal Goals
  • Career Preparation
  • Learning Opportunities
  • Life Values
  • Influence of Family & Friends

Identify College Characteristics Important To YOU:

  • Majors & Educational Programs
  • Type of School
  • Location & Size
  • College Affiliation and Accreditation
  • Academic Reputation

Investigate & Compare Colleges:

  • Prepare  A College Comparison Checklist
  • Weigh Advantages & Disadvantages
  • Contact Admissions Offices
  • Plan Your Campus Visits

Checklist For Campus Visits:

  • Take A Campus Tour
  • Talk With Students & Faculty
  • Investigate Your Academic Program
  • Meet With An Admissions Counselor
  • Verify Admissions Requirements
  • Discuss Your Chances For Success

Make Some Decisions:

  • Confer With Your Parents & Counselor
  • Evaluate Your Options At Each College
  • Keep Rethinking Your Goals and Plans
  • Show Initiative & Be Assertive
  • Select A School That “Fits You” Best