4-Year Program

Suffield’s four-year College Counseling Program is afforded generous staffing, modern space, significant financial resources, and dedicated time in the school day. This unique program includes material designed to appropriately challenge students of each grade.

Grade 9

The 9th-grade curriculum concentrates on providing students with college basics. Through the leadership curriculum and sessions led by college counselors, freshmen learn relevant information such as what a transcript looks like and how a GPA is calculated, how to maximize the Suffield experience and think to the future, and four-year course planning. The year culminates with a field trip to visit a college campus.

Grade 10

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The 10th-grade curriculum builds on work done the year before while adding a significant amount of new information. A crucial component of the program is the introduction of standardized tests for college admission including taking both the PSAT and Pre-ACT. Through small sessions with college counselors, sophomores will also explore:
- The differences between the SAT and ACT
- Basic college vocabulary
- Summer opportunities and developing a student résumé
- Personality types and possible career fields

grade 10 Calendar [pdf]

Grade 11

The 11th-grade curriculum (College 101) is taught in regular weekly leadership classes during the winter term. College 101 covers topics such as self-reflection and focusing on finding the right college match, the importance of self-advocacy throughout the college search, instruction on researching colleges and building a balanced college list, tips on how to get the most out of a college fair (all attend a fair hosted by area independent schools in April), and planning campus visits.

Juniors are encouraged to pursue the test format that best suits them, typically taking their first official SAT and/or ACT in December, with additional testing in the spring of the junior year.

Suffield offers prep classes on campus for juniors during the early winter and spring. Other students may opt to use private tutoring, online courses, or self-study.

Students begin individual work with their assigned college counselor in January of their junior year and all will have developed an initial college list by March break. Students are encouraged to visit colleges during spring break and summer vacations. By the end of junior year, college counselors help families get a sense for some expected admission outcomes using the cumulative GPA and test scores. Juniors will also request letters of recommendation from teachers in May.

Grade 11 Handbook [pdf]
Grade 11 Calendar [pdf]

Grade 12

Before the academic year formally begins, seniors participate in a special “Senior Day” which focuses on college counseling and leadership of the student body. By the time they return to campus, seniors are encouraged to have two essays written and the Common Application completed. College counselors work with seniors to edit and revise their essays. Our goal is for all seniors to be ready for early application submission by late October. As the 12th-grade program continues students will focus on:
- Working with their counselors to narrow their college list keeping an eye on balance
- Reviewing applications with counselors before submission
- Meeting with college admission representatives visiting Suffield in the fall
- Using fall testing dates for the SAT and/or ACT [if needed]
- Sorting through their offers of admission, making a final choice ...and graduating!

Parent Program
Our college counseling office offers several programs for parents to learn more about the college admission landscape and process. A series of programs are scheduled throughout the year and include guest speakers who are experts on topics such as standardized testing and financing a college education. Additional programs include a panel of college admissions representatives, advice from current seniors, specifics about the college search and application process, how to use SCOIR [our web-based college application management system], and how parents can best support their child throughout this exciting and important time in their life.

Role & Responsibilities
It is important to understand who takes responsibility for which aspects of the college search. Our operating philosophy is that the most successful college match derives from a student-driven process. We will work with students to ensure they have every tool they need to be successful in their college search. Below outlines best practices for students, college counselors, and parents as they navigate the college search together.

Students

It is expected that Suffield’s students will begin the process of decision-making early. Make sure you make an appointment with your college counselor in the winter of your junior year (complete an interview questionnaire before the meeting). You are required to attend all group and individual meetings; communicate your personal college plan honestly with your parents and college counselor; and be actively engaged in the college admission process.

Be prepared for standardized testing (SAT and/or ACT). Complete a testing plan with your college counselor, register for tests on time, and participate in the test preparation best suited for you (e.g. tutoring, self-paced lessons, classroom instruction). Send official score reports as required from the testing agencies to the colleges where you file applications.

Attend the HAISSCCA College Fair (Hartford Area Independent Secondary School College Counselors Association) held each April. Suffield expects all juniors to attend the fair with their college counselors. This fair is an excellent opportunity for juniors to collect information from over 100 colleges and meet with college representatives. Research the basic admission criteria at the colleges you are considering. Make sure that you understand the standardized test requirements, interviewing procedures (if any), financial aid and scholarship process, as well as any special application requirements (graded papers, portfolio for art majors, auditions for music or theater majors, etc.).

Learn SCOIR—our college counseling software. It is a tremendous resource of information and makes managing the college process much easier.

Plan to visit colleges during spring break, summer vacation, and other school vacation days.

Meet with college representatives visiting Suffield in the fall of your senior year. Obtain the applications, or research application requirements online, by the early fall of your senior year.

Request letters of recommendation from teachers at the end of your junior year. Complete the teacher recommendation request form and return it to the college counseling office before spring exams.

Complete applications honestly and accurately. Meet deadlines by submitting your applications early. Keep copies of any applications you submit—occasionally materials are lost in the mail/cyberspace or misfiled in college admission offices.

Write two essays during the summer before your senior year (directions will be distributed by the college counseling office during a spring workshop). Bring these essays with you when you return for Senior Day in September, which includes time set aside to help you with edits and feedback.

Request your school records (transcript and recommendations) by moving the college to the applying column in your SCOIR account. This will notify your college counselor to send these documents to the college on your behalf.

Keep your college counselor up-to-date on all of your plans, progress, and results. Communicate regularly with your counselor.

Monitor and respond to communications from colleges whether it be email, phone calls, online portals or regular mail.

Ask for help! Your college counselor is happy to review applications and essays before you submit them and offer suggestions and edits. It is important to plan ahead and ask for help well before the deadline.

Submit enrollment deposit fee at final choice college by May 1.

College Counselors

College counselors will discuss college planning with the student and the parents to help develop a balanced list that represents good matches. They serve as advocates for each Suffield student to colleges, support and counsel students and parents with college research, applications, and selection processes.

Keep students informed about college admissions representatives visiting Suffield, special events, scholarships, and testing

Help students with forms such as Common Application, SAT and ACT registration information, Financial Aid Forms (CSS Profile and FAFSA), testing fee waivers if applicable, and special scholarship information and applications.

Prepare a well-written summary and recommendation for the student in a positive and honest light, emphasizing on academics, personal strengths, achievements, and growth.

Prepare and submit transcripts to colleges along with a secondary school report form, counselor’s summary and recommendation, school profile, and teacher recommendations.

Submit fall term, mid-year, and final grade reports to colleges.

Parents

It is expected that Suffield’s parents will discuss college plans—including the financial picture and any restrictions—openly and honestly with your child early in the process. Share these thoughts with the college counselor either by phone, in writing, or at a meeting. Offer support to your son or daughter throughout the college admission process, but please remember that your child should direct the college admission process. Help your child to recognize and celebrate his or her strengths and to highlight them in interviews and on applications. Encourage your child to take the lead in the process and to take pride in his/her accomplishments.

Complete a parent questionnaire This form is mailed to parents in the winter/spring of the child’s junior year. It is also posted in a forms folder in the document library section of SCOIR.

Family Connection Parents who supply us with information and thoughts on this questionnaire add greatly to our understanding of their child, which in turn enables us to write a better, more comprehensive counselor’s summary and recommendation.

Staying on Task Assist your child with standardized test registrations (a credit card is required for online registration). Remind your child to submit test scores to colleges as required directly from the testing agencies when applying. Be aware of deadlines and other requirements. Assist your child in visiting colleges of interest.

Complete your portion of the application Provide your personal information (educational background, employment, etc.) and a credit card number for application fees. If applying for financial aid, fill out financial aid forms and submit before the deadline.

Communicate with your child’s college counselor If you have any questions or concerns, we are here to help. Please remember that we all want what is best for the student.

Enrollment deposit Submit enrollment deposit fee at final choice college by May 1.