College Counseling

In our students’ first year in high school, it is important that they get acclimated to their new environment. We encourage them to become scholars who are also developing a passion, talent, skill, or interest outside of the classroom. While grade 9 is a transitionary year, we want them to focus on learning and academic excellence. 

Students are encouraged to do their best in school and explore their interests by participating in extracurricular activities. They should start thinking about their future academic and career goals, particularly as they move forward in the decision-making process for their 11th-grade curriculum. Students are introduced to Scoir, our college planning platform, and take the PSAT 10 in the spring of their Sophomore year. We meet with Sophomore parents/guardians to provide an overview of college admissions in the US and beyond. 

In the fall of Junior Year, students receive the IHS College Application Guide and take the digital PSAT. Juniors are encouraged to attend college representative visits in the fall. We formally kick things off with a Junior college information night at the beginning of the spring semester. We continue to meet with students (and their parents/guardians) throughout the semester, charting out their individual plans for their application journey. We give everyone detailed advice on everything they need to know about the college application process!

We start the year off with our seniors with a senior kick-off event where we conduct college admissions workshops and students work on their college applications. Students reflect on their experiences and make intentional choices when finalizing their college lists, revising essays, and choosing where to attend. We help them with all aspects of their college application process - reviewing essays, conducting mock interviews, providing financial aid advice, and answering questions about anything college-related. Students continue to meet with college representatives visiting IHS in the fall; they also attend local and school-hosted evening events such as fairs and information sessions. We celebrate the students’ post-secondary choices with a variety of events in the spring!