Program

Blake's college counseling program is designed to support each phase of the student's college search process: exploration, selection, application, and the transition to college.

Students enter the college counseling program in the junior year and receive comprehensive education about the college process. Through the fall Junior College Seminar students are introduced to each phrase of the college search process. Juniors learn how colleges review student files and determine admission. The Seminar teaches students to use various resources (written, computer, the internet), familiarizes them with standardized testing, and builds understanding of the student's role in the college counseling process.

In grades nine and ten, students and parents are guided by their grade Dean, who is available to answer program and testing questions. All sophomores take the October Preliminary Scholastic Achievement Test (PSAT), which provides practice for the junior PSAT, the qualifying test for the National Merit Scholarship Program. Sophomore parents are invited to Sophomore Parent Dessert with the Dean where they are introduced to Blake's college counseling program.

Parents of juniors are invited to the MISP College Fair, The National College Fair, Junior Parent College Night, College Financial Aid Night, For Athletes Only Night, and the Junior Parent Breakfast.

Programs offered to senior parents include the college fairs, College Financial Aid Night, and For Athletes Only, as well as the fall Senior Parent College Night. In the spring, the College Counselors and Erin Adams partner with the Dean to discuss the transition from high school to college during the Spring Coffee with the Dean.

Students and their families begin meeting individually with their College Counselor second semester junior year. These meetings focus attention on the student's specific needs. The College Counselor guides each student and his/her family through the now familiar phases of the college search process: exploration, selection, application and the transition to college.

College Counseling for Freshmen

Students in the ninth grade should focus on their lives as Blake students, and not the college search process. They should do their best academically and get involved in extra-curricular activities (either in or out of school) that are of special interest.

The ninth grade Dean monitors student progress, making contact with teachers and parents as the need arises. The Dean also assists students in making appropriate course selections. The Dean will inform students and parents of the preparatory requirements for enrolling in AP courses in the junior and senior years.

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College Counseling for Sophomores

Sophomores should focus on their lives as Blake students, and not the college search process. They should concentrate on their academics and extra-curricular activities (either in or out of school) that are of special interest.

The tenth grade Dean monitors the progress of the students, making contact with teachers and parents as the need arises.

In October, all sophomores take the PSAT as practice for further College Board testing and the junior PSAT.

If appropriate, sophomores may take College Admission Standardized Testing Subject Tests in Math IC or Math IIC, Chemistry, and/or American History. Questions about readiness to take these tests should be directed to teachers in the appropriate subject area and the grade Dean. The Sophomore Advisors review each student's course performance, and will meet with students during the third quarter of the school year to develop an academic plan for the junior and senior years.

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College Counseling for Juniors

Junior year is the time to begin thinking specifically about the college search process. Students should focus on their academics while balancing involvement in meaningful activities.

The College Counselors begin working with the juniors in the fall through the College Seminar. The seminar introduces students to various facets of the college search.

Juniors and their parents learn more about individual colleges by attending the fall college fairs. The MISP College Fair, held on a Sunday afternoon, attracts 150 college admission counselors representing colleges from across the country. The National College Fair, sponsored by the Minnesota Association for College Admission Counseling, is held the Minneapolis Convention Center.

Juniors take the PSAT (which also acts as the qualifying test for the National Merit Scholarship Program) in October. Click here for more information about College Admission Standardized Testing.

Students are assigned a College Counselor in early February. Typically, counselors meet first with the student and then include parents in a second or third session later in the spring or summer.

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College Counseling for Seniors

The college search is most involved during the senior year. Although primary responsibility for the college search rests with the student, the Blake College Counselors are committed to assisting students and parents throughout the process.

Seniors are responsible for scheduling meetings with their college counselor as the need arises throughout the year.

Forms links you may need in the process: