College Counseling Handbook

Updated: 5 February 2021

Below is a structure that contains all of the current elements of our College Counseling handbook for ISD. Rather than printing copies, especially when some information would be out-of-date almost immediately, we have opted for this format instead so that we can update and review the materials as needed. Our college counseling curriculum, which begins in earnest with regular classes and routine individual meetings in January of the junior year, works through all elements of this handbook. We invite parents to review materials as we progress. Also, be sure to check back periodically as we endeavor to update items regularly. Additionally, if there are items that you believe are missing, please send us your ideas so that we can share them here.

Table of Contents

-Expectations

• Who does what?

• Timeline

-Testing Recommendations

• Standardized Testing Recommendations

• Test Prep

• Test Optional

• SAT Subject Tests - Discontinued!

• SAT Score Choice

-Research & List-Building

• The Most Important Criteria

• Likelihood of admissibility

• University Search Tools & Resources

• Selecting a Country

• Selecting a Course of Study, Programme, or Major

• How to research

-Communication

• How to ask a rep questions

• How to Write an Email

-Teacher Recommendations

-College Costs & Affordability

Why Is College So Expensive?

• Affording College

• No Loan Colleges in the US

-The Process: Applying

• Types of Applications

• How do I apply to College?

• Why Two Weeks?

• Phantom Applicants

-The Process: Waiting

• What if Something is Reported as Missing?

-The Process: Receiving Results

• Types of Results

• Depositing At College

• Navigating the Waitlist

• Handling the News

-Summer Planning