Upper School Guidance

Our goal in the upper school is to assist all students in achieving their college and career goals.  We believe that the college planning process begins as soon as students enter upper school.  Through classroom guidance, individual meetings, and evening informational sessions, our Guidance Office is here to support students and families throughout the high school years.

College guidance at Caravel begins at the beginning of 9th grade, when students are introduced to the concept of their transcript, grade point average, and general college admissions information.  In 10th grade, students spend a week of classroom guidance with the counselor focusing on college and career planning.  A series of scheduled individual college planning conferences in the Guidance Office begin in the winter of 11th grade and continue through the fall of students’ senior year.

Caravel Academy graduates are well prepared for college.  Typically, 100% of graduating students attend four year colleges ranging from small liberal arts colleges to large universities across the country.  We believe that the planning process should be an enriching family experience that will lead to finding a college environment where your child can flourish.

We encourage you to contact our office any time you have questions or if you would like to set up a meeting.

College Planning

• 9th-10th Grade
• 11th Grade
• 12th Grade
• Resources

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• Start planning for college by keeping your grades up, getting involved, and building your résumé.  Colleges look at 9th and 10th grade just as much as any other year.  Your official upper school GPA starts in your freshman year.
  
  
• Visit www.bigfuture.org, the College Board’s new college-planning site, to help you get started and make a plan for college.
  
  
• The PSAT will be given on Wednesday, October 12, 2022, to all Freshman and Sophomores.  When PSAT scores are sent home in December, use the score report to improve your skills.  Open an account with College Board using the access code on your PSAT score report.  Get a personalized study plan for the SAT, explanations for questions you answered incorrectly, and free practice tests online.
• Research colleges online with your College Board account, or you can do virtual tours of colleges that interest you.  Visit the Guidance Office to learn the specific admissions requirements (required high school courses, grade point averages, SAT scores, etc.) for colleges that interest you.
• Visit different types of colleges (large universities, small liberal arts colleges, etc.)  to get an idea of where you might like to attend.  Most people do not think of visiting colleges in 9th and 10th grade, but it is not too early to start.
  
  
• Learn about University of Delaware’s Commitment to Delawareans.  Details are available in the Guidance Office and on UD’s website.
  
  
• Familiarize yourself with the resources and services in the Guidance Office.  This fall, all 9th grade students received information about their transcript, grade point average, extra curricular activities, service hour requirements, etc.  Tenth grade students will take a College and Career Exploration mini-course at the end of their Driver’s Ed course in the fall or spring.

• After taking the PSAT in October, use your score report to prepare for the SAT.  Score reports will be available in early December, and students should visit collegeboard.org for detailed score information including a personalized study plan for the SAT.
• Visit www.bigfuture.org, the College Board’s new college-planning site.  It covers everything you need to know about going to college, paying for it, and finding the right school for you.  
• Attend the NCC college fairs.
• Familiarize yourself with the resources and services offered in the Guidance Office.  All juniors will receive a pass from the Guidance Office in January for an individual “Junior College Planning Conference.”     
• Sign up to take the SAT on March 11, May 6, or June 3, 2023 (Students taking AP exams may want to take the SAT in March and plan to take subject tests in June).  It is easiest to register online at www.collegeboard.com, but paper registration forms are available in the Guidance Office.
• Decide whether you need to take any SAT subject tests.  More selective colleges often recommend taking two subject tests that relate to your anticipated college major.
• Get on the mailing list of colleges that interest you by visiting their websites.  You will receive mail about college majors, open houses, special events, etc.  Sometimes the college will even waive your application fee if you express an interest.
• Visit different types of colleges (large universities, small liberal arts schools, etc.).  If you are planning a college visit, you may want to request an unofficial transcript from the Guidance Office to bring with you in case you speak with any college admissions counselors.
• Explore private scholarships using online searches, such as Fastweb at www.fastweb.com, GoodCall at www.goodcall.com, or check the bulletin board outside of the Guidance Office.
• The U.S. Department of Education provides over $150 billion in federal financial aid a year.  To receive an early estimate of your eligibility, visit www.fafsa4caster.ed.gov.

• All seniors had individual college planning conferences in the Guidance Office in September, but students are encouraged to visit the Guidance Office any time for help looking for colleges or with applications questions.
• Take the SAT again in October or November and have your scores sent to colleges on your list.  The College Board allows you to send four score reports to colleges free of charge, but they charge $12 for each additional score report.
• Ask teachers, counselors, employers, and coaches for letters of recommendation to include with your college and scholarship applications.  Stop by the Guidance Office for advice on requesting letters, and remember to follow up with thank you letters to the people who have written letters for you.
• Start applying to colleges early, and pay attention to deadlines.  Notify the Guidance Office every time you apply to a college online.  We need to send your official transcript to each college.  Often there is a counselor’s page that needs to be completed and submitted with your transcript, so email or print out this form if it is included with your online application.
• Demonstrated interest is becoming more and more important to college admissions counselors, so don’t be afraid to contact the admissions office at your top choice school!
• As soon as possible after October 1st, complete the FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) online.
• Notify the Guidance Office of your college acceptances (and scholarship awards) as you receive letters.
• If you are having a hard time deciding which college to choose, make sure you visit the college while classes are in session.  Talk with other students, visit the dorms and eating facilities, and get a feel for what it would be like to live there for four years.
• Apply for as many scholarships as possible.  Billions of dollars are given away in scholarships each year, but you have to apply!  It can be time consuming, but it is well worth it to apply for dozens of scholarships.  Listen to the morning announcements, look at the scholarship bulletin board outside of the Guidance Office, visit scholarship websites such as www.fastweb.com, or stop by the Guidance Office for more information about private scholarships.
• Don’t rule out a college because of a high “sticker price.”  Many very expensive private colleges offer the most money in scholarships and financial aid.  You can get an idea of some of the scholarships different colleges offer by visiting www.meritaid.org.
• If you are placed on the waiting list for your first choice college, stay in touch with the admissions office so that they know you are still interested in attending.
• Notify all colleges of your decision by May 1, 2023.
• Notify the Guidance Office of your final college decision so that we can send your official transcript and proof of graduation at the end of the year.

College Handbook

Click on the link to find our College Handbook

FREE ONLINE PRACTICE SAT TESTS!

Visit the Testing and Education Reference Center.  
Once there, access the practice tests by clicking the menu labeled College Prep Tools.
For home access please ask the guidance office for the username and password.

Financial Aid Information

In this guide, we go over the cost of college and the associated steps to pay for it. There are 6 steps in total, including The Cost of College, The Steps to Paying for College, Financial Aid, Scholarships & Grants, College Savings Accounts, and Student Loans.