One of the major things that sets BASIS Charter Schools apart from other high-performing schools is our dedication to college counseling. We work hard to ensure that 100% of our graduates are accepted to a four-year college and university, and we equip our students with the tools and knowledge needed to succeed once they start this new stage of their education.
How do we do it? It all comes down to our College Guidance Coordinators. Students in our high school program work one on one with their College Guidance Coordinator to explore potential colleges, complete applications, arrange campus visits, find scholarship opportunities, and much more. In their senior year, students meet with their College Guidance Coordinator every day!
Julia Cottle, Lead College Guidance Coordinator for the entire BASIS Charter Schools network, knows the college counseling process inside and out. Ms. Cottle met with us to share her strategies for helping students navigate the college admissions landscape.
How long have you been with BASIS and what roles have you held over the years?
Ms. Cottle: I started at BASIS San Antonio Shavano in 2018 as a College Guidance Assistant for their second-ever graduating class. Over the years, my role has evolved to College Guidance Coordinator to Senior College Guidance Coordinator to the School Admin Mentor (SAM) for all of our College Guidance Coordinators in Texas. This year, I’m taking on a new responsibility as Lead College Guidance Coordinator.
In this new role, I will be working with all College Guidance Coordinators across the BASIS network (Arizona, Louisiana, Texas and Washington, D.C.). I will be providing support to our guidance counselors and connecting them with professional development opportunities. One of my goals is to create more avenues for our guidance counselors to connect with and learn from one another—since our work is unique from campus to campus!
How early does college counseling begin for BASIS students?
Ms. Cottle: College counseling starts in ninth grade. It comes in the form of lunch workshops, classroom talks and college visits. Some examples of topics we cover in these workshops include “Preparing for the PSAT,” “Financial Aid 101,” “Building a Resume,” and “How to Find a Summer Program.” We also do activities with the students to help them understand how the college admissions process works. For example, we might challenge students to act as admissions officers for a fictitious university.
College visits are a great way for our high school students to learn about different colleges and universities. We invite colleges from across the world to speak at our campus. Visits can happen during lunch, before school or after school. It gives students an opportunity to learn about colleges they might not have heard of before.
Starting in ninth grade, we meet individually with students to get to know their interests and career goals. Even though college applications don’t start until senior year, students in grades 9–11 are always welcome to set up one-on-one appointments with us if they would like guidance on their future career path or college.
Seniors at BASIS have a daily College Counseling Seminar. What does this class typically look like?
Ms. Cottle: The College Counseling Seminar is a 50-minute class that seniors take during the first and second trimesters of their senior year. It offers a mix of one-on-one guidance and group instructional time. We review topics such as building a college list, writing your personal statement, completing the college application, writing supplemental essays, interpreting financial aid awards, searching and applying for scholarships, and enrollment management.
One-on-one counseling is an especially important part of the College Counseling Seminar. Since our campuses are smaller than traditional high schools, we have the opportunity to really get to know each individual student. Each student’s college application journey is different, so as College Guidance Coordinators, we personalize our advising to each student’s needs.
What is your strategy for helping students find colleges that are a good fit for them?
Ms. Cottle: The United States has thousands of college options. It’s overwhelming for students to even begin thinking about where they might want to go. My first tip is for students to think about what kind of experience they want at college. For example, some students look for public flagships, like the University of Michigan or the University of Texas at Austin. Others might want a community that extends beyond the classroom. They might seek out a college from the Seven Sister group, like Barnard or Wellesley. For others, there might be outside influences that impact their search, like location. They may want to go to California because they have extended family there, or they may want to stay local so they can continue living at home. Knowing these factors narrows down the list, making the search much more manageable.
The second piece of advice I like to share with students is to be willing to explore the unknown. There will be unknown schools that will send you mail or invite you to a webinar. Seize every chance to learn about them. We shouldn’t limit our college search to the same 20–30 schools we’ve all heard of growing up. There are so many great institutions out there that are just waiting to accept your application!
When a student comes to me asking where to start their college search, I direct them to sites like Big Future, CollegeXpress, or Scoir. These sites have filtered search tools. You can input the factors that matter to you (like location, major and school size) and the tool will populate a list of schools that match your criteria. From there, students can sign up for a virtual info session, attend a college visit here at BASIS, or make a trip to the campus. The more they engage with a college, the more they’ll be able to see if they are a good fit for that institution.
Do you have any advice for students who may be undecided about their future plans?
Ms. Cottle: It’s very common for students to be unsure about their future plans or careers. I believe it’s important for these students to gain experience in many different settings. Whether it’s informal or formal experience, the more that students can engage with different careers, the more they will know about their future.
Seeking opportunities is essential. Career exploration opportunities include job shadowing, summer camps, volunteer work, internships, and on-campus and off-campus groups. Through these activities, students will gain insight into what industries and professions align with their values. At BASIS San Antonio Shavano, we created a 30+ page list of summer opportunities for our students. These opportunities range from engineering to business analytics, theater, and environmental work. A curious student who is willing to try new things will eventually find their path. It’s okay if that doesn’t happen until eleventh or twelfth grade!
In your opinion, how can BASIS students get the most out of their college counseling experience?
Ms. Cottle: I encourage students to take advantage of the opportunities that are offered at their school. Showing up is half of the work, and we will always help you with the rest! Attending workshops or events put on by the College Guidance Coordinator is a great place to start.
Additionally, never be afraid to ask questions. The college admissions world can be confusing, and you have someone on your campus whose entire job is helping you make sense of it!
Another unique aspect of BASIS Charter Schools is the Senior Project. How do Senior Projects play into college success?
Ms. Cottle: Our Senior Projects provide a fantastic opportunity for students to set themselves apart when applying to colleges. Admissions offices immediately recognize the responsibility and initiative it takes to complete an off-campus, independent research project as a high school student.
When students apply to colleges in the first and second trimesters of their senior year, they are simultaneously planning for their Senior Project. They can reference their project ideas in their application or during college interviews. If a university reaches out to a student for more information later in the year, they can share their progress on their Senior Project. It’s a great way to show universities that you’ve kept the momentum going during your senior year.
What is the most rewarding aspect of working as a College Guidance Coordinator?
Ms. Cottle: I truly think I have one of the coolest jobs in the world. It is very rewarding to work with talented, hardworking students. These students are approaching the end of their time at BASIS. They’ve put in years of hard work to make it to this point, and I have the privilege of guiding them to the finish line. Senior year is filled with so many celebrations, from their first college acceptance to their senior walk to prom to graduation. It’s an honor to work with such fantastic students and to be part of their journey!
How would you sum up the main benefits of the college counseling program here at BASIS?
Ms. Cottle: BASIS is dedicated to guiding students and families through the college admissions process from start to finish. The college admissions landscape is constantly changing, and our experienced College Guidance Counselors are here to help you make sense of conflicting advice. This program and role is truly unique to BASIS, and we hope to work with your student in the future!
Learn more about college prep at BASIS Charter Schools
A huge thank you to Ms. Cottle for taking the time to share her expertise with us!
To learn more about how BASIS Charter Schools prepares students for success in college, read about our unique approach to college readiness and explore our curriculum for grades K–12. Our accelerated and rigorous curriculum emphasizes critical thinking and problem-solving skills for a young age, getting students ready for advanced coursework in high school.
Find a BASIS Charter School near you and schedule a school tour for a firsthand look at what makes us the #1 tuition-free public charter school network in the nation.
