The BASIS Charter Schools network has a proven track record of preparing students for college success. Our graduates attend some of the best colleges in the world and earn an average of over $100,000 in scholarships.
To ensure that each and every student reaches their higher education goals, we work individually with students during dedicated college counseling sessions.
We believe that parents play an important role in their students’ college application process. Whether you’re accompanying your student on college visits or cheering them on as they work on their application essays, your support is invaluable.
With the help of your student’s College Guidance Coordinator, you can rest assured that your student will find the perfect college. Here’s what to expect from our college counseling program as a BASIS Charter Schools parent.
Dedicated College Guidance Coordinators at each school
Each of our upper schools has a dedicated College Guidance Coordinator whose sole job is preparing students for success during the college application process.
Our College Guidance Coordinators are experienced professionals who are in tune with the rapidly changing college admissions environment. They act as a resource to support and encourage your student throughout their high school years. Working off a complex timeline, College Guidance Coordinators help your student submit their applications in accordance with college deadlines, including early decision and early action deadlines.
Additionally, our College Guidance Coordinators are instrumental in helping our students determine which colleges are a good fit for them. They take the time to get to know each student on an individual level, truly understanding what each student wants to get out of their college experience.
Early introductions to college
College counseling at BASIS Charter Schools starts as early as grade 8. Throughout their time in our high school program, students learn about college through lunch workshops, classroom talks, and campus visits from college representatives.
In grade 9, your school’s College Guidance Coordinator will meet individually with your student to learn more about their interests and goals. Students in grades 9–11 are welcome to set up one-on-one meetings at any time to receive personalized advice on college selection, financial aid, and more. In grade 12, your student will meet daily with their College Guidance Coordinator.
Daily college counseling in senior year
Since students can typically start applying to colleges in the fall of their senior year, we significantly ramp up our college counseling services during this time.
Our students take a daily College Counseling Seminar during the first and second trimester of their senior year. This course offers a mixture of one-on-one guidance and group instructional time. During the College Counseling Seminar, your student might:
- Build a list of potential colleges
- Learn about different application types
- Gather transcripts and test scores
- Draft a personal statement
- Write application essays
- Manage application deadlines
- Meet with admissions representatives
- Search for scholarships
- Apply for financial aid
Our College Guidance Coordinators work diligently to make the college application process as smooth as possible for our seniors. Even after college application windows close, the College Guidance Coordinator will remain in close contact with your student to manage application statuses and scholarship awards.
Parent support during college counseling
The comprehensive college counseling at BASIS takes a considerable weight off parents’ shoulders. With your student’s College Guidance Coordinator assisting with practical elements like managing applications and deadlines, your role is primarily to provide support and encouragement to your student as they navigate the world of college admissions.
We encourage BASIS parents to become familiar with the basics of financial aid, loans, and scholarships. Some financial aid applications, like the FAFSA, require parents to fill out the form with their student.
Most importantly, we ask that parents remember that the college landscape is always changing. Even if your student has a strong application, there are some admissions factors that are beyond anyone’s control. At the end of the day, your main goal should be helping your student find a college that genuinely excites them.
Learn more about our approach to college readiness
For more information about college counseling at BASIS, we encourage you to read our interview with Lead College Guidance Coordinator Julia Cottle. In this interview, Ms. Cottle shares her firsthand experiences as a College Guidance Coordinator and provides advice for students who are navigating the college admissions landscape.
In addition to our individualized college counseling, we prepare students for college with our advanced curriculum for grades 8–12 and unique Senior Project experiences. We work hard to ensure that each student not only gets accepted to college, but is able to thrive once they get there.
Ready to help your child meet their higher education goals? Apply to BASIS Charter Schools today.
