Charleston's Independent School Directory 2018-19

www.CharlestonsPrivateSchools.com | www.CharlestonSchoolDirectory.com | www.ed.sc.gov ISD INDEPENDENT SCHOOLS Getting Into College Your Insider’s Guide for Success Y ou’ve done it. You’re halfway through your high school career; you are likely involved in the activities and athletics you have found you enjoy best or thrive at, and you probably have a set schedule for your studies as well. You’re at the peak of your high school groove – but that is all about to change as you begin the college-application process and determine where you want to spend the next four years. Your last two years in high school are sprinkled with bouts of uncertainty and excitement for what’s to come. But students often feel overwhelmed, overjoyed or outright stressed with thoughts of: Am I doing everything right? What if I don’t know what I want to do or where I want to be? Is my application competitive enough? Your ambivalence toward this process is natural, but a couple of our local professionals have reassuring, behind- By Helen Harris the-scenes knowledge about this whole getting-into-college game that will hopefully ease your nerves. First of all, start early and get to know yourself through personality and career-interest assessments to get an idea of what career fields you’d like to explore. Palmetto Christian Academy Guidance Counselor Sally Pascutti recommends shadowing or interviewing professionals to confirm your career interests, researching colleges that have majors to prepare you for your intended field and then touring those colleges in the spring of your junior year. And visiting your choice campuses based on desired size, structure and campus life certainly helps, as Kimberly C. Ford, MA, director of admissions at Charleston Southern University voiced: “During a traditional personal visit, students are able to see a residence hall, the dining hall, our chapel and several classrooms. They are also invited to meet one-on- one with an enrollment counselor to discuss the admissions