From freshmen to seniors, this guide walks you through the important steps to take each year to stay on track.
The focus of this year is to inspire students to focus on achieving their potential in the classroom and to discover their interests and talents in extracurricular activities. For example, panel discussions are organized to give the freshmen opportunities to hear from seniors who have already made their college decisions and with teachers who encourage them to enjoy the life of the mind and go beyond required learning plans. We also encourage students to seek fascinating pursuits outside of the realm of school life. This year lays a foundation that will give students confidence in making the necessary decisions that lie ahead.
As sophomores, students continue to focus on their goals and accomplishments; they begin to consider their own interests and talents in preparation for the college search process. We arrange for a college admissions director to come talk about the college application process; this gives our sophomores the chance to meet someone who works in the business of admitting high school students to college. During this year, we also take a college trip to a major research university and to a small liberal arts college. Again, this gives students a firsthand experience in actual college offices and in two distinctly different college settings.
The major project of this year is the college search. Students also learn how to prepare for the application process. With nearly 4,000 colleges and universities in the United States alone, students have a wealth of opportunities before them. We meet weekly in small groups or in individual sessions where students seriously assess their talents and goals with an eye toward investigating colleges that match these personal attributes. During these meetings we also give advice on scheduling the SAT and ACT tests and we look ahead at the college essay, interview, campus visit, and the students' summaries of their extracurricular experiences. The fall PSAT test is an opportunity for juniors to compete in the National Merit Competition; all of our students take this test. Lastly, from September to November, a vast number of college admissions representatives visit Brookfield Academy. Students from all levels are encouraged to visit with these important professionals; for juniors this is a superb time to find answers to college questions from the people who may eventually read their applications.
Finally, the senior year is where all the work and excitement of the college search come together. During the first semester, seniors are busy writing their applications. We continue to meet with them as they navigate the varying parts of this process and we help each student keep track of all the steps and deadlines they will encounter along the way.
