Gregg Murray Michael Nation Karen Rowe

1. Rethinking the High School Visit: Implementing Programs to Connect Students and Admission Counselors Gregg Murray Michael Nation Karen Rowe Viewpoint School Oaks Christian School The Meadows School

2. Overview • Why Connect Students and Admission Counselors? • Programmatic Overview • The Meadows School • Viewpoint School • Oaks Christian School • Admission Counselor Survey Results • Student Survey Results • Supporting Students’ Noncognitive Growth

3. Why Connect Students and Admission Counselors? • Add authenticity and depth to the high school visit • Allow admission counselors to interact with students • Educate admission counselors about student life • Enable students to serve as ambassadors of the school • Support student engagement in college process • Encourage active participation in college search • Allay student fears of the “scary” admission counselor • Enhance students’ noncognitive learning opportunities • Provide alternative methods to develop “soft-skills”

4. The Meadows School • Las Vegas, NV • Independent • PK – 12 • 270 upper school students • 2 College Counselors for graduating class of ~70 • 100% college acceptance , very high achieving • “College Ambassadors Club”

5. College Ambassador Responsibilities • Greet college admission counselors • Members used for panel discussions • Senior members speak with 9th and 10th grade advisory classes • Sponsor Instagram account • Write for the college blog • Make treats for recommendation appreciation

6. Future Initiatives • Sponsor May 1st celebration • Sponsor “college of the week” during announcements • Sponsor a college assembly • Write thank you notes to admission counselors • Make a podcast highlighting the school

7. Programmatic Advice • Change can be tough • Teacher buy-in • Getting more underclassmen involved

8. Viewpoint SchoolCalabasas, CA Independent, co-ed., college prep, PK-12, day school 500 students in grades 9-12 4 college counselors for a graduating class of ~120 students 100% college acceptance, very high achieving

9. Founders’ Club Responsibilities • Greet college admission counselors • Provide campus tour option for college admission counselors • Assist with check-in and serve as college representative hosts for Junior Case Studies Night

10. Founders’ Club Goals • Encourage active participation in college process • Build productive relationships • Create an inviting experience for college admission counselors • Promote and spread college knowledge within the school through sponsored activities • Promote non-cognitive learning opportunities for students

11. Future Initiatives • Write college visit blog from student perspective to post on social media • Assist with Summer Enrichment Fair • Establish leadership roles within Founders’ Club for individuals interested in assisting with student-to-student scheduling and communications • Encourage students to create tour route and informal script for other Founders’ Club members

12. Programmatic Advice • Logistical issues • Matching students with college admission counselor • Maintain Counselor-to-Counselor relationship • Student leadership & Communication

13. Oaks Christian School Westlake Village, CA Independent, co-ed., college prep, 6-12, day school 950 students in grades 9-12 5 college counselors for a graduating class of 240 students 98% college acceptance, high achieving

14. College Counseling Ambassadors • Provide opportunities for students to become comfortable and familiar with admission counselors and the college exploration process • Create an inviting atmosphere for college admission counselors with at least 1 student and 1 college counselor in attendance • Promote an environment for students to see that “great colleges” are not defined by rankings

15. College Ambassador Activities • Students volunteer at the beginning of the year • Greet admission counselors • Host the admission counselor at a roundtable discussion (using a questionnaire as a guide- when needed) • Offer a tour of the campus • Walk the admission counselor out • Write handwritten thank you notes (newer addition to program) • Help admission counselor get a glimpse into Oaks Christian

16. College Counseling Prefect • One student selected by a committee • Announces which colleges will be on campus to peers during an all-school assembly • Recruits volunteers for college counseling events • Announces events that the College Counseling Office is offering • Coordinates all college counseling ambassadors hosting dates/times • Meets with a college counselor each week

17. Important Factors • Teacher/Administrator buy-in • Well advertised (Weekly Counselor e-mails, Posted on TV’s, announced at assembly each week, updated on School calendar and Naviance) • 10th grade students are required to attend two visits • Prefect does a lot of daily tasks • Any given period we have 100-200 students with open periods • If missing class, students get a teacher permission slip signed • Closed Campus- one place to check in for admission counselors

18. Is It Worth The Effort? • Admission Counselor Responses • Student Responses • Learning Outcomes

19. Admission Counselor Survey 91% 130 College Admission Counselors surveyed College Admission Counselors responding that fewer than 1 out of every 10 high schools they visited offer a tour 85% College Admission Counselors responding that fewer than 1/5 of high schools they visit had a greeter 69% College Admission Counselors greeted by students 47% College Admission Counselors offered tours by students

20. Rating of Personal Experience

21. Please indicate whether the greeter/guide had an impact on your perception of the following:

22. said tours improved their understanding of the School Context. 64% • “Receive genuine opinions about the school” • “Enhanced my perspective of the school and/or a particular student” • “Feel welcomed and that the HS values my visit” • “Love seeing the HS from the students perspective” • “There is a great level of authenticity with the personal greeting and conversation” • “Better understanding of school culture, arts opportunities, resources, electives, facilities, etc.”

23. 25% of respondents said the tours did not improve their understanding of the School Context. • Least favorite Aspects of Greeter/guide programs • Not enough time to take a tour (cannot do it/feel bad saying no) • When the student greeter replaces the opportunity to meet with a counselor • Would like to know a tour is available ahead of time • If it is a lesser known college, students often lack enthusiasm or are dismissive. Students should do some research before greeting them • When shy, non-talkative or socially awkward student hosts greet or tour

24. Student Survey 51 88% Students surveyed Rated their experience greeting and/or touring the admission counselor as excellent 100% Thought the program to greet/give a tour was beneficial to their high school Thought the program to greet/give a tour was beneficial to themselves 94% Improvements were also reported in Professionalism and Communication

25. Why did students become involved? • “To build a relationship with the college I want to go to” • “Get a kick-start on the admissions process and get acquainted with who’d be reading the applications for our school” • “I wanted to show the rep the real me and not just the paper version they will see in my application” • “It helped my ability to greet and connect with complete strangers”

26. Five Categories of NonCognitive Factors • Academic Behaviors • Academic Perseverance • Academic Mindset • Learning Strategies • Social Skills

27. Students’ Self-Reported Non-Cognitive Learning Outcomes • Professionalism • Conversation Skills • Communication • Confidence • Self-Advocacy • Networking • Public Speaking • Leadership • Initiative • Accountability • Time Management • Organization 58% 55% 40% 36% 36% 32% 28% 25% 24% 16% 14% 14%

28. QUESTIONS? Karen Rowe - The Meadows Schoolkrowe@themeadowsschool.org Gregg Murray - Viewpoint Schoolgregg.murray@viewpoint.org Michael Nation - Oaks Christian Schoolmnation@oakschristian.org