College Counseling
Finding the Right Fit
At Porter-Gaud School, the college search focus is on fit, not name recognition or prestige.
We encourage our students to take ownership of their college search and explore a variety of college options to discover which characteristics are important to fostering their continued growth and development.
Comprehensive College Planning
The College Counseling Office seeks to advance the school’s mission by acting as advisers and advocates, empowering students to embrace opportunities throughout their years in Upper School so they can grow confidently in a sense of purpose, a love of learning, and a commitment to service. With personal support, we nurture self-reflection and resilience, assisting students in navigating the journey of self-discovery, exploration, goal-setting, and decision-making.
Our structured advising program is divided into two phases:
- Self-Discovery (9th - 10th Grades) - We facilitate student self exploration and discovery and encourage students to embrace their academic environment, establish healthy habits, and embrace their passions. We provide time and space for introspection and goal setting where students can reflect on their individual strengths and areas for growth.
- Applying Your Potential (11th - 12th Grades) - Utilizing the momentum fueled by students’ introspection and growth, juniors and seniors are empowered to maximize and apply their potential. In addition to continued opportunities for self-discovery and reflection, junior year is dedicated to exploring college options that align with students’ personal attributes, support their intellectual growth, and provide exciting options for continued education. By senior year, students understand the college admissions process and confidently present themselves in their applications to the best of their ability.
Our College Counseling Team
Timeline
| Ninth Grade Year |
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College Counseling begins in ninth grade and is part of the year-long Ninth-Grade Experience curriculum. Students are encouraged to explore courses, clubs, and activities that both challenge and engage them. In the fall, students and families attend Ninth Grade College Night, which outlines our comprehensive college planning approach and features a keynote speaker to help demystify the world of college admissions. In the spring, the PSAT 8/9 is administered. |
| Tenth Grade Year |
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We encourage sophomores to build on their progress from ninth grade and focus on life as students, not on the college search. Sophomores have opportunities to touch base through both structured meetings during study halls and more informal conversation-based meetings with college counselors and peers. Students and families attend Sophomore College Night, where experts from different colleges and universities give workshops on a wide variety of college admissions topics. Sessions help to debunk admissions myths and cover how to create an appropriate college list, plan college visits, and approach standardized testing. Sophomores take the PreACT in the spring. |
| Eleventh Grade Year |
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Juniors begin to explore a variety of colleges and start to craft a list of schools that might meet their criteria. They also have the opportunity to meet college representatives who visit the Porter-Gaud campus throughout the fall. Juniors take the PSAT in October and are encouraged to take both the SAT and ACT at least once during the school year. Students and families also attend the Junior College Night in the fall, which is designed to kickoff the college application process. Additionally, students meet with their college counselor one-on-one about their personal application process. |
| Twelfth Grade Year |
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Senior College Night kicks off application season in August. Counselors meet with students as needed to refine college lists and touch base about the application process, teacher recommendations, and standardized testing plans based on a student’s list of colleges. Most deadlines for early action and early decision are in November and December of senior year, and regular decision deadlines are typically in January. While the actual process of applying to colleges winds down with January application deadlines, the conversation around fit and where to enroll continues through the spring. Students will meet with college counselors throughout the spring to discuss options and where to enroll by the May 1 national deposit deadline. We then celebrate the accomplishments of our seniors as they head out to make a difference in the world! |
For College Reps
We are delighted that you are interested in meeting our students at Porter-Gaud! You can sign up here for visits in SCOIR. We offer either in person or virtual visits.
If your school is offering virtual admissions events through your own admissions page and you would prefer that students register for those sessions for their visit, please let us know and we will gladly point interested students to your website.
If you have questions about your visit or are not able to find a time that best suits your schedule, please contact our office.
Thank you for thinking of Porter-Gaud, and we look forward to seeing you soon!
We would love to discuss your place at Porter-Gaud.