Students planning to pursue higher education have many options available to them. In providing guidance
and support through this process, we hope to empower our students to understand the value of careful planning, research, and self-evaluation. We encourage
parents to stay actively involved and welcome their feedback and consultation. We maintain regular contact with guidance counselors, administrators and
admission personnel and draw on the experience of other educational consultants, with whom we enjoy close affiliation. We maintain an extensive library
collection of college catalogs and other college resource materials appropriate to both college planning and career guidance. As with all of our programs,
our intention is to provide a comprehensive approach to learning.
We draw on a wide range of resources and experience in providing college planning services. Our director, David S. Parker, has worked with adolescents and college students since 1980 as a teacher, tutor, counselor and college dean. As the director of Tutoring & Instructional Services, Inc. and the private day school, Parker Academy, he coordinates a team of professional educators who work cooperatively to provide a wide range of academic support and enrichment programs.
We begin with an initial assessment. This includes an interview to discuss the student's interests,
activities and accomplishments. We review the student's academic records and standardized test results and discuss long-term goals and objectives.
Following the assessment, we may administer interest, career, personality and/or learning style inventories and interpret these tests with the student.
Following the assessment process, we discuss academic majors and concentrations of study and their
relationship to careers. We help the student explore and research a variety of career paths.
The college selection process requires the student to visit college and university
campuses and to interview with admission staff. We assist students in establishing an appropriate list of colleges, advise with respect to interviewing techniques,
conduct and critique mock interviews, and suggest ways to get the most out of the college visits.
In providing a comprehensive college placement program, we appreciate the competitive nature of
college admissions and the significance of achievement on standardized admission tests. At the same time, we recognize that test scores are only one
component of the student's entire admission package. After weighing all aspects of the student's academic records, recommendations and extracurricular
achievements, we may determine that additional preparation for the SAT and/or ACT may be beneficial. We offer SAT and ACT prep programs designed to help
maximize a student's performance. Our program is designed to relieve the anxiety often associated with multiple choice exams and to teach solid test-taking
skills. Our approach to test preparation reflects our belief in individualized programming. By providing one-to-one tutorials, we are able to assess the
strengths and needs of each student and focus on specific strategies designed to help the student reach his or her full potential. This program is offered
for an additional fee.
Once a final selection of schools is determined, we offer guidance with applications and essays.
In-depth review of the student's college essays, letters of recommendations and resume preparation are important components of the program. We prepare a timeline
for the completion of each application and, when appropriate, work with the student's school guidance counselor to meet the school's application guidelines.
Group workshops are scheduled periodically that address issues related to college planning and career
decision-making. These include topics on college interviewing, the college visit, the financial aid process and scholarship search, college study skills and an
introduction to college life.
- in-depth interview to assess individual needs
- review and interpretation of academic records
- assistance with establishing educational and career goals
- guidance and instruction regarding college placement and admission testing
- identification of appropriate colleges and universities
- assistance with college admission interviewing skills
- guidelines for making the most out of the college visit
- review of college applications and essays
- communication with parents and school guidance counselor, as needed
- information about federal financial aid & scholarship opportunities