The mission of College Guidance at TABC is to help each student meet his goal of being admitted to the college best suited to his needs and interests. Through a philosophy of information, guidance and assistance we are able to meet this goal.
TABC is proud of the accomplishments of our students. Our students have been admitted to many highly respected colleges and universities. We are also pleased that many of our students have been offered generous scholarships to attend some of these prestigious universities.
Throughout the process, the college guidance department provides both students and parents with the information and tools needed to make an intelligent choice regarding college, the guidance to evaluate their research and assistance to navigate the college application process with as little stress as possible. Through the process of personal, group and family meetings – and most importantly an open door policy – we aim to meet the post-high school needs of each individual student.
Freshmen & Sophomores
The college guidance program begins in the ninth grade, and gradually increases until the end of eleventh grade, when the process is in full swing. Freshmen are encouraged in the first year of high school to participate in the educational, emotional and social opportunities offered in high school. The department meets with the students to discuss standardized tests and the SAT subject tests. Sophomores take the PSAT and the college guidance counselors meet with students when the results arrive to help them understand the role of the tests and their results. A sophomore parent meeting, held in the spring, helps parents prepare for the formal college admissions process to begin in the junior year.
Juniors
For juniors, college guidance is approached on two levels. First, in the winter, the college guidance department meets with juniors when they receive their PSAT scores to discuss the results and begin preparing them for the SAT. In the spring, the college guidance process begins in earnest. There is an important meeting of junior parents and students to outline the entire college application procedure. That meeting is followed by individual meetings with students and parents and a college fair. At the fair, juniors and their parents meet with representatives of some of the colleges that they seek.
Seniors
In the senior year, the college guidance department focuses on the college application and selection process. In addition to group and individual meetings with the students to discuss their college plans and help them navigate the application process, our seniors have the opportunity to meet with the representatives of a wide variety of college programs. Throughout the senior year the college guidance department remains available through an open door policy to help students in every aspect of the college guidance and acceptance process.
About Parental Involvement
Parents are an important part of the college counseling process. In addition to individual meetings, frequent newsletters to parents and general college information, specialized programs on topics such as financial planning for college and Jewish life on campus are also offered. We hope that our collaborative, team approach, including students, parents and staff, enables each student to maximize his potential and be enriched by the process of self–discovery as he navigates this rite of passage.
