College Counseling

VES College Counselors support and advise students throughout their high school journey, learning about their unique strengths, aspirations, and stories along the way.

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Since they know each student so well, our college counselors are exceptional advocates and advisors, guiding students to match their unique skills and interests to colleges and universities, and helping them tell their compelling personal stories to admissions offices.

College counseling is a four-year process at VES, and our College Counseling Center is always open to students in every grade level. In their junior and senior years, students typically spend many of their free periods and evening study halls in this fun and comfortable space where they’ll find four supportive professionals whose most important job is to reduce the stress of the college admissions process.

A Four Year Approach

Ninth Grade

Ninth grade marks a significant transition for students. While we are cautious about over-emphasizing college admissions at this stage of their high school career, many of our students have early thoughts set on highly selective colleges. We believe it is important that they understand the expectations they will need to meet to be competitive at those schools and others.

Our focus is on providing basic information to 9th graders about what colleges will be assessing/considering, as well as encouraging the development of great study habits and a self-awareness about their learning style and habits. We also help students to recognize and capitalize on their own unique strengths early in their high school career. These lessons (and many more) are covered through the Critical Thinking class within the 9th Grade ARCH Collaborative Program, which is taught by Mimi Csatlos, the Director of College Counseling.

Topics addressed by College Counseling in 9th grade

The high school transcript (every year matters!)
Selecting their classes in the years ahead
The importance of building positive relationships with teachers
Question and answer sessions to address topics of interest to the class
Study skills—best practices using brain science
Personal values inventory/engaging in areas of interest
Starting their resume
Goal-setting and time management
Mindfulness and managing stress

Tenth Grade

In 10th grade, we help students focus on better understanding themselves as they reach out and work with their teammates, classmates and teachers. Further, as students better understand their own unique talents and interests, we can help them connect with professionals throughout the community and our alumni base, who can provide opportunities for students to explore their talents.

Topics addressed by College Counseling in 10th grade

College goals and building relationships with teachers
Explain/provide prep materials for the PSAT (Oct) and PreACT (February or March)
- Individualized testing recommendations provided for each student during the summer prior to junior year
Revisit the VES transcript before selecting junior-year classes; advise students in selecting their junior year classes
Revisit personal values inventory and their resume
Meeting with the senior class to discuss ways to use their summer wisely

Eleventh Grade

After juniors return from the winter holiday, they begin the weekly College Counseling Junior Seminar, which they will attend in place of their daytime study hall or free period once a week. In those sessions they work through most of the nuts and bolts of college admissions.

All the topics discussed with students in the Junior Seminar are shared with parents via the Junior College Counseling Seminar OnCampus course page. Additionally, most juniors will take either the school day SAT or ACT, both of which are offered on campus in April; some will have already tested in October. VES is happy to provide transportation for boarding students to a local testing center to take the SAT and ACT when those tests are offered on Saturdays during the school year.

The college counselors also meet individually with each junior at least twice in the winter and spring for personalized discussions. Our college counselors are available for additional meetings should students (or parents) want to discuss options or issues further.

By the time juniors go home for the summer as rising seniors, they each have a thoughtful “working” college list, and an assignment to write the first draft of their essay and fill out the Common Application over the summer. Students are encouraged to contact our college counselors often over the summer to discuss their college visits and essay ideas.

College Counseling Junior Seminar Topics

Important factors considered in the admissions process
Using their SCOIR account
Researching colleges and universities
Taking the YouScience Inventory
Standardized testing plans - test-optional vs. submitting scores
Making a balanced initial college list
Getting the most out of campus visits
Preparing for interviews
The qualities of a great college essay, complete with plenty of samples
Asking for teacher recommendations the right way
Reviewing their personalized College Kickstart report
… and much more!

Twelfth Grade

Our seniors are well prepared for the college admissions process, and they have a team of college counselors available to make sure they are staying on-track with their deadlines and submitting high quality applications.

Seniors’ advisors and parents can stay in the loop by using SCOIR to access their students' college lists and deadlines, to see which schools are designated as likely, target, reach, and to see when applications and school forms were submitted to each college.

Along with scheduling one-on-one meetings with seniors during their free periods, college counselors offer office hours during evening study hall multiple nights a week to ensure that our seniors have all the support they need as they polish and submit their applications in a timely manner.

After the applications are in, our focus shifts to helping students prepare for success once they get to college by addressing topics about decision-making, financial skills and wellness through the Student Life program.

Activities and support provided in the senior year

School Day ACT and SAT testing on campus in October; transportation can be provided to off campus testing centers when Saturday tests are offered during the school year
Regular one-on-one college counseling meetings with each senior throughout the fall semester
Evening college counseling office hours multiple times a week; Sunday work sessions regularly scheduled, based on students’ availability/needs.
College representative visits to campus during lunches and breaks
Financial aid information and support

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Meet the Team

Mimi Csatlos

Director of College Counseling | Advanced Studies Coordinator

School: (434) 385-3632

Esther Johnson

College Counseling Assistant | Testing Coordinator

School: (434) 385-3850

Amy Koudelka

Associate Director of College Counseling

School: (434) 385-3631

Matt Porter

Assistant Director of College Counseling | Ellison Scholars Coordinator | Football Head Coach

School: (434) 385-3691

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In this section

Breadcrumb

College Counseling

A Four Year Approach

Ninth Grade

Topics addressed by College Counseling in 9th grade

Tenth Grade

Topics addressed by College Counseling in 10th grade

Eleventh Grade

College Counseling Junior Seminar Topics

Twelfth Grade

Activities and support provided in the senior year

Meet the Team

Mimi Csatlos

Esther Johnson

Amy Koudelka

Matt Porter

School Profile