Overview of the College Counseling Process

In keeping with the philosophy of Sacred Heart education, which seeks to educate the “whole child”, the college counseling process is founded on the central idea that picking a college is a fundamentally individual decision. Therefore, the college counseling process at CSH seeks to offer students a maximum of individual attention from the Director of College Counseling. With this philosophy in mind, the Head of School can often be heard telling prospective families that our students are at CSH to be at CSH, not as a means to an end to get into selective colleges. It is certainly important to emphasize the distinction that the college counseling process at Convent of the Sacred Heart was not designed to be results oriented. It does, however, seem to be a natural outcome of the challenging academic curriculum, which focuses on inspiring a love of learning for the sake of learning, that our seniors are admitted at some of the most selective colleges and universities in the nation and the world. We count our process as a success if each graduate has the option, should she choose to do so, of attending a college where she has determined she will be most happy.

Comfortable and welcoming, the college counseling office is designed to be a space where students can find counsel toward their college goals and respite from the stresses of their lives. The college counseling office strives to offer prompt attention to college-related questions and concerns while at the same time existing as a place where students can relax and interact with the College Counselor on an informal basis. Providing a space for relaxation and respite helps the College Counselor come to know the students as “whole people”.