College Counseling - Cannon School

Our Mission

The mission of Cannon School’s College Counseling Program is to build personal relationships with Upper School students that encourage their exploration, develop their decision-making skills, and assist them in moving confidently from the Cannon community to the next stage of life and beyond.

In This Section

Fast Facts

College Counseling Program Highlights by Grade Level

Freshman Year

The focus of 9th grade is to orient students to high school and to build the foundation for a successful academic experience.

We encourage students to engage fully in their learning and to explore the variety of extracurricular opportunities available in the Upper School. Every freshman will have small group and individual time with their college counselor.

The College Counseling team takes a relational approach to teach freshmen:

How to understand their individual learning styles
Strategic ways to use their school and free time intentionally
How to determine myths from facts in the college admission process
About the variety of opportunities available after high school (college, military, Gap Year)
What to expect in the standardized testing process used for college admission
Goal setting skills through the creation of a four-year academic plan
The importance of using summer for exploring community service, hobbies, career interests, work opportunities and leisure activities

Sophomore Year

The focus of 10th grade is helping students to stay focused on their four-year plan.

Deep engagement in learning and leadership is reinforced. Every sophomore will have small group and individual time with their college counselor.

The College Counseling team takes a relational approach to teach sophomores:

What to expect in the standardized testing process used for college admission
The attributes college admission offices seek when creating a class for their institution
An understanding of the college scholarship selection process
How to get the most from college tours and visits with college admission representatives
Techniques to research majors and careers related to their interests
Ways to explore their interests on a deeper level through opportunities provided at Cannon, in the community and at the national level
Analytical skills to determine curriculum choices for junior and senior year course schedules

Junior Year

The focus of 11th grade is research and exploration of post-secondary opportunities.

Multiple contacts points throughout the year with students and families encourage self-assessment, reflection and decision making as students analyze the academic, social and financial attributes desired in their next step.

The College Counseling team takes a relational approach to teach juniors:

The importance of college campus tours and conversations with college admission representatives
What to expect in the administering and timing of the general standardized and subject test process used for college admission
Research strategies for exploring post-secondary opportunities
Synthesis of their personality and interests with major and career choice
Effective resume writing techniques
Career exploration through research, interviews and shadowing experiences
The selection process for highly competitive college scholarships
How to share their individual stories with others through writing and public speaking
Ways college admission offices analyze applications to determine admission decisions
The steps necessary to secure impactful teacher recommendation letters
The writing process for creating an authentic college essay
How to determine appropriate course selection for senior year
Intentional use of summer as preparation for college admission, career/major exploration or exploring individual interests

Senior Year

The focus of 12th grade is preparing for the college application process.

Extensive individual, group and workshop time is spent finalizing the college list, completing applications, writing personal statements and supplemental essays, and preparing for interviews.

The College Counseling team takes a relational approach to teach seniors:

The nuts and bolt of the college application process including types of decisions, application options, essay prompts, standardized testing, interviews, etc.
How to determine fit by analyzing financial, academic and social attributes of a college
A working knowledge of the financial aid and scholarship process
The importance of mental health to students in the college admission process and in the transition to college living
To blend the self-awareness developed through high school experiences with goals for the future, and to be able to share this synthesis in both verbal and written formats
Their rights and responsibilities in the college admission process
Effective decision-making techniques
Successful transition strategies for moving beyond Cannon School
How to appropriately support and celebrate each other throughout the year

Parents

The College Counseling team believes creating relationships with families is a priority.

Targeted programs are hosted for parents in each grade level as well as presentations related to the college admission and financial aid process. Parents are also invited to attend family sessions with their college counselor.

Parent programming hosted by the College Counseling team:

Parent Night - all grade levels
Financial Aid Workshop – all grade levels
Coffee with College Counseling Q&A session – freshman and junior parents
ACT/PSAT Interpretations – freshmen and sophomore parents
College Admission Case Studies Event – junior parents
College Admission Deans Panel – all grade levels
College Kick-Off – senior parents
Transitioning your child beyond Cannon – senior parents
Individual appointments with college counselor – open to all parents; scheduled by Cannon for junior and senior parents

Meet the College Counseling Team

Courtney Brayboy

Job Title: Associate Director of College Counseling

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Adrian LeFevre

Job Title: Assistant Director of College Counseling

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Connie Stavrakas

Job Title: Assistant Director of College Counseling

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Heidi Waibel

Job Title: Associate Director of College Counseling

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Elizabeth Wilner

Job Title: Director of Strategic Priorities

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Continue Exploring College Counseling

College Counseling Resources

Discover an assortment of helpful resources to assist you in your college search.

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Information for College Representatives

Learn how to plan your visit to Cannon School, and other important information for College Representatives.

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College Counseling Blog

Access information about planning for life beyond Cannon, and other essential college prep materials.

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