Mr. Brad Thompson and Mr. Eric Latimer make up FPD’s College Counseling Department. They stay busy assisting each student learn about the college application and acceptance procedures. With colleges and universities becoming more and more selective and the application process becoming more and more challenging, their help is vital to FPD students. Below is a summary of the steps, divided by grade, to help students through the college application process.

 

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College Counseling By Grade

At FPD, we assume that all students will attend a four year college or university. In the College Counseling Department, we provide guidance and support to help students make that transition. Below is a list of notes that we do to help students prepare. While we highly encourage parents to be involved in their child’s college process, we definitely prefer that students take ownership of the process.  We hope that they not only find out God’s plan for their college years but also practice wise decision making skills for now and the future through the process.

9th Grade 

  • Mr. Thompson or Mr. Latimer will visit all English class in ninth grade and teach about the importance of GPAs, what colleges are looking for in an applicant, and discuss standardized testing.
  • Mr. Thompson or Mr. Latimer will introduce FPD’s college and career tool called Naviance.
  • In February, parents and students are encouraged to attend a meeting the Rising 9th and 10th Grade Parent Meeting. This first part of the meeting is led by the College Counselor, FPD alumni who are currently in college or recently graduated, and current FPD seniors.  Information and advice on the college application process and college itself will be passed along.

10th Grade 

  • Mr. Thompson or Mr. Latimer visit all tenth grade English classes to discuss the importance of GPA’s, what colleges are looking for in an applicant, discuss testing, and go over other items that are of importance to this grade level.
  • In February, parents and students are encouraged to attend the Rising 11th and 12th Grade Parent Meeting. At the meeting, the college reps will lead a panel discussion of issues in college admissions.
  • Prior to the meeting, 5-6 college representatives are available to meet with parents and students to answer any questions and hand out materials on their colleges.

11th Grade

  • Mr. Thompson or Mr. Latimer visit all Junior English classes to discuss issues of the college process.
  • Students are invited to come and see the College Counselor to discuss their college options.
  • In February, parents and students are encouraged to attend the Rising 11th and 12th Grade Parent Meeting. At the meeting, the college reps will lead a panel discussion of issues in college admissions.
  • Prior to this meeting, 5-6 college representatives will be able to meet with parents and students to answer any questions and hand out material on their college.  

12th Grade

  • During the summer prior to the senior year, a large packet of valuable information will be mailed to all seniors. This information is for both parents and students.
  • The College Counselor requests and prefers a senior conference with all seniors and their parents. This conference can be made at the end of the junior year, during the summer, or at the beginning of the senior year.
  • In August, there will be a Senior Parent Meeting with the College Counselor. This meeting will be a meet and greet and a question and answer period between the counselor and parents.
  • There will be on-gong dialogue between the counselor, the parents and the students throughout the senior year.

While the college decision making process can be overwhelming at times, always remember Jeremiah 29:11, “For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.” 

More information on College Counseling at FPD