Guidance Counsellor Mission, Goals and Responsibilities
Mission
The mission of the Colegio Anglo Colombiano Guidance Office is to help each student consider a range of university academic options suited to his or her talents and interests and, ultimately, matriculate at a college that is an excellent match. The Guidance Counsellor vigorously supports our students’ applications to many types of institutions that span a range of selectivity. The Guidance Counsellor urges students to look beyond the prestige factor associated with the nation’s most selective Universities, and to consider a variety of places that offer appropriate academic challenge as well as opportunities for personal growth and fulfillment.
Program Goal
Over the years, ninety-nine per cent of our graduates have attended University. The Guidance Counsellor works closely with the members of the Upper Bach Management Team to best guide the students, and to make holistic decisions regarding the students’ academic and personal futures, keeping in mind the IB Learner Profile. Each year, several graduates defer college entrance for six months or more. The Guidance Counsellor supports all students in making their post-high school plans, including Round Square GAP programs, language study abroad, travel, and those few who may choose work or vocational training.
Most students who do well in Colegio Anglo Colombiano’s demanding IB Diploma Program receive acceptances from several very selective universities, and almost all seniors who successfully complete our academic program are able to gain acceptance to their first choice University. The Guidance Counsellor encourages each 11th Grader to apply to a combination of selective and less selective universities so that the majority of their applications will result in acceptances.
Process
The Guidance Counsellor program includes specific activities for each year group, from 9th through 11th Grades. Each year’s program is meant to help students work towards achieving their academic, personal and vocational goals.
For each student, the Guidance program includes these components:
- A self-assessment process to determine which courses of study the student is interested in and has aptitude for. This process begins in 9th Grade as the student is choosing his/her IB curriculum.
- Draw up a plan of action and a suggested list of colleges for the student to research based on his or her preferences, academic profile, activities and interests, and standardized testing.
- Advice about when and how to register for SAT and ACT tests, and, for non-native English speakers, help in registering for the TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language).
- Access to the College Guidance library which contains guidebooks, files of information
- from individual colleges, files on scholarships as well as summer and alternative programs, and a computer terminal for accessing on-line information and services.
- Visits from University representatives who visit school each year.
- Write comprehensive letters of recommendation in support of each application. In writing this letter the Counsellor draws upon knowledge gained from meeting with the student, student and parent questionnaires, and teachers' narrative reports. The letter presents the student to the college as a distinct individual, highlighting his or her strengths and achievements, and explaining the student’s academic program.
- Consultations as needed between the Counsellor and parents.
- Processing and mailing of supporting materials for the student’s applications (i.e., transcript, school profile, Secondary School Report form, and Guidance Counsellor’s recommendation letter).
- It is the Student’s responsibility to prepare all necessary school and personal information and applications. The student must give all needed school paperwork to the Counsellor AT LEAST one month before the University’s deadline date. For schools having application deadlines of December 15th, the Counsellor deadline is November 15th. Please note: For Universities with January 15 deadlines, the Counsellor deadline is also November 15th.
- Follow-up conversations, when appropriate, between the Counsellor and college admissions personnel regarding applicants.
- Support for each student during the final decision-making process.
