At Lausanne, we strive to know each student and their family in a way that helps lessen the stress and worry during what has become a very high-stress process. Upper School students and parents meet 1-on-1 with a college advisor every year to help ensure families understand the college admissions process and the importance of academic performance throughout high school. Students and parents are also encouraged to reach out to the college advising office with any questions about the college application process through all of their years at Lausanne.
- Beginning in 9th grade, a college advisor meets with each family to discuss their student’s aspirational college goals. After reviewing the results from PSAT testing, the advisor helps interpret current admission trends for the family so that together, they can set attainable goals and develop a plan for success. Students receive guidance on what courses, internships and extracurricular activities will help them as they move forward through their academic journey.
- In 10th grade, students and parents meet with their college advisor to assess academic progress and address any concerns through early intervention. They review the results from the student’s latest PSAT testing and together, build a personalized preparation and testing schedule for the student’s junior year. Sophomores also begin to create their college resume, and train with advisors by conducting mock college interviews, and start to meet with college admissions representatives on campus at Lausanne.
- 11th-grade students begin the year by visiting a variety of different college campuses on the Junior College trip. As they tour large universities, small liberal arts colleges and a mixture in between, the students begin to develop preferences for what they want in their own college experience. The tours create a great learning environment, showing students how to explore academic options find their “right fit” institution.
Throughout the school year, students continue to receive guidance on their academic journey and participate in mock interview sessions with college representatives and Lausanne alumni. Resume writing workshops, career exploration sessions, and essay brainstorming workshops led by college counseling help students with the application process. Weekly meetings focused on college advising begin in the spring, along with optional trips to college campuses during Spring Break. With representatives from over 130 different colleges and universities visiting Lausanne annually, students have the opportunity to form their own vision for life after Lausanne.
- 12th graders benefit from the previous three years of personalized attention, and the relationships forged with the college advisors, as they complete their college applications and ultimately make decisions on the university to attend. Students and parents meet 1-on-1 at the beginning of 12th grade to create a targeted and personalized college application list, based on the student’s academic profile, personal goals and professional plans. Together, they review application deadlines and identify potential scholarship opportunities.
Seniors also attend the College Application Bootcamp held in the fall to learn tips and best practices for filling out the applications. The students participate in weekly group college advising sessions in the fall during advisory and prepare for college and scholarship interviews by participating in individualized mock interview sessions.
The Lausanne College Advising plan culminates in the student choosing the right fit school for each student from the many admissions offers they receive.
If you have questions about our College Advisement process, contact John Hawkins, our Director of College Advising by emailing jhawkins@lausanneschool.com or call 901-474-1053.
