The Counseling Department organized college application workshops to help seniors working on their college applications, throughout October and November, Counselor Cory Nakamoto said.
The workshops are designed to help seniors understand the applications and answer questions they have about them, Counselor Beth Harke said.
“I think the idea of an application workshop is to go through the application and kind of show them what’s in there,” Harke said. “But again, kids are also starting earlier. They see them (the applications) in the summer, they talk to their friends, and so again, (we have) the one-on-one (meetings). I think the application workshop is an overview, and then you go from there.”
Previously, students sought out their counselors on a one-on-one basis for college application help, Nakamoto said. However, it was difficult for the counselors to meet with every senior individually, so they began hosting the workshops, he added.
“It’s very similar,” Nakamoto said. “It’s just that we’re in the library instead of in our offices. And, you know, there’s more help up there available when we have two, three, or four counselors up there helping.”
Senior Micah Corpuz believes that these workshops should be continued in the future, Corpuz said. She came in for help because she was struggling with her art portfolio and had heard about the workshops, they added.
“I think it’s really significant for students, especially those who are having trouble with their applications and other things as well,” Corpuz said. “Even if it’s a small space for students, it helps them be more comfortable with their counselors, or other adults.”
Alongside the workshops, counselors’ offices are still open for seniors to drop in if they need any college application help, counselor Jenna Irvine said.
We are “helping students with any questions they have in filling out the applications, also giving them feedback, if they want me to read any of their essay writing, short answer question writing,” Irvine said.
Based on student visits, counselors will likely keep hosting these workshops in the future, Nakamoto said.
“We want to see how many students show up to all of these, and I think that’s probably what we’re going to continue to do in the future – is just offer more (application workshops), but probably more closer to the deadline,” Nakamoto said. “It’s just we’re seeing the students are needing the help.”
Irvine agrees that counselors should continue hosting these workshops in the future, she said. Seniors can quickly get help on something they are stuck on during these workshops, she said.
“If anything comes up, they can get that support where they don’t have to book a specific appointment to come in and take time from class,” Irvine said.“They can just drop in during lunch or after school when they’re not in class,” she said.
Counselors have been working to give students more opportunities to prepare for college, Harke said. Students can arrange a one-on-one meeting with their counselor, attend the workshops, and learn more about colleges through the college visits, but not all students make use of these resources, she said.
“I think there’s students who are really motivated and will come in and follow up on things,” Harke said. “And then there’s other kids where you have to pull them out and talk to them as well.”
Counselors primarily communicate with students through email, but it’s hard to reach students because not all of them are checking their email, Harke said. However, the counselors are willing to try other ways of reaching students, she said.
“I think we’re here and we’re giving them options and we’re giving them opportunities,” Harke said. “They have to take advantage of those opportunities. I don’t think we’re just sitting here and waiting for kids to show up. I think we’re giving them opportunities. It just depends on if they’re going to take them and if they’re going to do it in a timely manner.”
Counselors have a wide range of roles including making sure that students are able to graduate, preparing students for post-graduation plans, helping students with crisis management, and answering questions students or parents may have about academic planning, Irvine said. They also help students come up with a four-year plan for high school, she added.
“If they (students) have any question or any doubt whatsoever, definitely seek our guidance,” Irvine said. “We’re here for their success into college, and helping with that transition. So if there’s anything that comes up there for you, meet with us in person in the office, or drop on by for the workshops.”