Battle Ground Academy | Navigating the College Process

BGA's Four Year Approach to College Counseling

Our program is crafted with purpose to support students at every stage of their school career.

The transition from Middle to Upper School – building a sense of self

Our process is inherently self-reflective, and we encourage Middle School students to begin thinking about themselves within their larger academic and personal environment as they begin to engage with The College Center staff through developmentally-appropriate events.

Freshman and Sophomore Years – laying the foundation for the college search

At this stage, our central aim is to develop a keen understanding of one’s self. Thus, the college process begins to take shape through advisory sessions, which include discussions on academics, personality traits, learning styles and goals. Specific events such as “Café College” are offered to initiate and enrich the early stages of research and forward thinking for both students and families.

Junior Year – shaping the search with strategic planning

Junior year is a critical time as students delve deeper into the college search process through individual and family meetings with their lead counselor. Students continue to research colleges with a goal of producing a college list by the end of the academic year that speaks to their values.
There is a myriad of programmatic offerings including Junior College Night, Financial Aid Night and ACT/SAT test preparation. Students are also recommended to take advantage of the numerous college representative visits on campus as well as to visit college campuses on their own.
College counselors assist students in planning their Senior year with in-depth conversations on course selection, summer plans and teacher recommendations. Through a collaborative approach, the college list is curated throughout the year.

Senior Year – putting the plan into action

Senior year is full of events aimed to complement each step in the process including Summer College Boot Camp, Senior touchpoint meetings, Senior Parent Night and Financial Aid Night. Additionally, we have a joint collaboration with the English Department for “College Essay Week,” so students can receive feedback on their application essays.
Individualized assistance is offered for interview preparation, NCAA athletic recruitment and admission to service academies.
Support is provided for national, regional and local scholarship applications as well as assistance in reviewing financial aid packages.
Continual advocacy and personalized guidance for making the final choice for college matriculation is provided throughout the year.

The College Center embraces a program that is deliberate and impactful for both students and families, and we look forward to working with you in the future.

Navigating the College Process

BGA's Four Year Approach to College Counseling

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