College Planning Guide

Table of Contents

Introduction

The college search process is an important part of the educational journey at The Rudolf Steiner School. As the Director of College Guidance, Ms. Spirer is excited to be a part of that college search process. It is our firm belief that researching, visiting, and ultimately selecting a college is the culmination of one’s experience at Steiner. A student can learn a great deal about himself or herself through the college search process. The College Guidance office hopes to be of assistance to Steiner families as they navigate the waters of the college process.

Ultimately we are trying to answer one question: what is the best college for you? Many people will readily offer you their opinion on this matter – your friends, your neighbors, US News and World Report magazine. We urge you to keep in mind that the “best” college for a student is one where he or she feels at home, can receive a good education, and contribute to the campus community. In other words, we are searching together to make a match between student and college.

Peer pressure—both among students and among parents—is one of the most difficult components of the college search process (peers are also the source of a great deal of misinformation about colleges and college planning). Your college advisor will treat college selection as a private matter, and we hope you do the same.

Ms. Spirer is an active member of the National Association for College Admission Counseling (NACAC), the New York Association for College Admission Counseling (NYACAC), and the College Board. As a member of NACAC I subscribe to their Statement of Principles of Good Practice (you may access the Statement at www.nacac.com/downloads/policy_spgp.pdf). This Statement is shared with Upper School families, and we expect students and parents to become familiar with the document, including the statement of Students’ Rights and Responsibilities” in the college admission process. Adhering to standards of professional conduct and practices, the college guidance staff will provide you as much assistance as you request to plan effectively for college. Every family negotiates the process a bit differently, so we emphasize the importance of one-on-one planning. This College Planning Guide should also assist you in understanding the planning process.

Finally, the role of the college advisor is one of advocacy. I am here to help you every step of the way, both as a group, and as individuals through one-on-one meetings. The College Office does not limit the number of applications you submit to a college, and we will not discourage you from applying to a particular college, no matter how competitive. Admission committees make decisions, not college advisors. Our role is to provide students with as much guidance, support, and information as possible.

Communication is extremely important throughout the college planning process. Students and parents are encouraged to maintain contact with our office through the group meetings, one-on-one meetings, e-mail, and phone. No question is too small or insignificant. Please do not hesitate to contact me at any time during your college process.