College Planning
At Pilgrim, college planning is a highly personalized and student-centered process designed to help each student identify their individual goals and the pathways to achieve them. This program goes beyond merely selecting suitable colleges; it emphasizes preparing students thoughtfully for their future.
Pilgrim School offers a unique approach to college planning that has proven to be highly beneficial for both students and their families. Roberto Dimas, our Director of College Planning, dedicates significant time to getting to know each student, starting as early as 8th grade. Throughout their four years in high school, students receive personalized guidance and a high-touch counseling experience. This enables them to explore, engage, and reflect as they progress through their high school journey. By their senior year, our students are well-prepared to pursue colleges that align with their academic profiles, aspirations, talents, and interests.
Throughout the year, various college representatives visit to meet with students and discuss what their institutions offer. Previous representatives include University of Southern California (USC), University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA), Brown University, Rhode Island School of Design, New York University (NYU) and Boston University. We are partners with SmartTrack College Funding, who provide webinars and resources for families interested in college funding opportunities and advice.
Our graduates attend a diverse range of institutions, including some of the most selective universities, liberal arts colleges, and art schools worldwide. We measure success not only by the number of acceptances students receive but also by how well each school matches their individual needs.
To learn more about our college planning process, please contact Director of College Planning, Roberto Dimas, at rdimas@pilgrim-school.org.
Approach to College Planning By Grade
In 8th grade, students begin working with our Director of College Planning. They start by considering important questions, such as:
- When have do you feel most proud of yourself?
- Who do you want to become in the future?
- In what situations do you feel activated, excited, purposeful, or empowered?
- What spaces, classes, or activities excite you? What about those settings makes you feel that way, and how can you pursue more of those experiences?
In the spring, each student meets again with our Director of College Planning to finalize their schedules and discuss potential co-curricular activities they may enjoy in the following year.
In the spring of 9th grade, students meet individually with our Director of College Planning to develop a course plan and begin strategizing for their future.
During these meetings, students learn how to evaluate their class selections in relation to college requirements and gain insight into effective college planning. They are guided to think critically about their futures.
In 10th grade, students continue to delve into what interests them academically so that building their schedules becomes a primary vehicle for college planning conversations.
- Emphasis is placed on co-curricular activities, developing socially beneficial activities, leadership on campus, etc.
- College entrance exams such as the SAT and ACT are prepared for and discussed at length, as well as AP courses and tests
10th & 11th Grade College Trip
- Each year, students in 10th and 11th grades spend a week visiting colleges in one region; previous locations have included Seattle/Oregon and New York/Boston.
- We visit a diverse range of colleges, including large and small campuses, public and private universities, research universities, and liberal arts colleges. By offering students an in-person experience with different university environments, students can get an idea of not only what is offered at colleges but also how these types of colleges differ from one another.
- Students may enter the college planning process with a strong interest in a particular college. However, the purpose of these trips is to expose them to a variety of universities, potentially highlighting options they had not previously considered.
In addition to taking the SAT, ACT, and/or AP tests, students develop college research plans and discuss their intended areas of study with the Director of College Planning. It is essential to collaborate with students during this process, considering what they have learned about themselves and the environments in which they thrive. Before summer, students participate in a college planning workshop with the Director of College Planning. Parents and caregivers also meet with the Director during this time.
10th & 11th Grade College Trip
- Each year, students in 10th and 11th grades spend a week visiting colleges in one region; previous locations have included Seattle/Oregon and New York/Boston. Students attend this trip in both 10th and 11th grade in order to have the opportunity to visit two regions of the United States.
- During this trip, we visit a diverse range of colleges, including large and small campuses, public and private universities, research universities, and liberal arts colleges. By offering students an in-person experience with different university environments, students can get an idea of not only what is offered at colleges but also how these types of colleges differ from one another.
- Students may enter the college planning process with a strong interest in a particular college. However, the purpose of these trips is to expose them to a variety of universities, potentially highlighting options they had not previously considered.
The fall of senior year is dedicated to college planning coursework, which involves finalizing the college list, developing strategies for successful applications, and establishing clear expectations for a healthy transition. At the beginning of the fall semester, 12th-grade students participate in a week-long college application intensive on campus, where they focus on preparing their college applications and completing their college essays.
In the spring, students concentrate on evaluating their post-secondary options and ensuring a smooth transition to college. This includes analyzing and comparing admission offers and financial aid packages, defining what success in college means to them, ensuring financial literacy, and enhancing their transition to college through social-emotional and cultural awareness.
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