Counselors guide students and parents through the entire college counseling process, step by step.  The official commencement of the college search process begins at the start of second semester in the junior year. Counselors meet with students both in groups and individually to lead them through the application process and personally assist them with developing a college list, providing feedback on essays and personal statements, advise them on teacher recommendations, guide them on standardized college admission testing, and counsel them both through the decision process and transition issues.  Counselors are invaluable resources for families helping them to focus on matching needs and interests with colleges where the student will be socially and culturally comfortable as well as academically challenged. 

 The Andover High School Counseling Department annually presents a “Choice Not Chance” evening series in conjunction with the daytime program for students.  This program kicks off at the conclusion of the first semester, in late January. In Session I counselors discuss the nuts and bolts of beginning the college search process and introduce parents to our new college planning computer program, TCCi-Naviance.  Session II addresses both students and parents anxiety around the competitive nature of the college admission process.  Representatives from both selective and public colleges will discuss what colleges are looking for and trends in admission in Session III.