College Counseling

Bolles offers a comprehensive College Counseling program designed to help students identify colleges that fit their interests, abilities, skills and values. Our program is based upon two fundamental beliefs:

The college search is a process which requires well-honed research and decision-making skills.
The college choice should be geared to the individual, resulting in an appropriate match between student and institution.

To accomplish these goals, we offer a range of innovative programs designed to help students and their families make informed, well-reasoned college choices, and we encourage students and parents to take advantage of these opportunities. Each year, students are offered grade level appropriate programming that begins with an introduction to the application process and culminates in submission of applications and the final college choice. Similarly, at each grade level parents are invited to a series of programs designed to introduce them to important elements of the college search and application process including ways to support and encourage their student(s).

Our team is dedicated to providing individual guidance to each student through the college application and selection process. With dedicated staff who can offer personalized attention to each student’s wants and needs, we ensure that students feel informed and supported throughout the entire process.

We invite parents and students to explore the College Counseling Timetable to become acquainted with both the four-year process and our various programs.

The College Counseling Office is open from 8 a.m. - 3:15 p.m. most weekdays from August-June. The office is closed during all school holidays and the month of July.

College Counseling Staff

Daphne Vagenas
Director of College Counseling
(904) 256-5238
Email

Danielle Leach
Assistant Director of College Counseling
(904) 256-5239
Email

Matthew Wilmer
Assistant Director of College Counseling
(904) 256-5237
Email

Genna DeFalco
Assistant Director of College Counseling
(904) 256-5236
Email

Dari Pedines
Assistant Director of College Counseling
(904) 256-5240
Email

Carol Deane Williams
Administrative Assistant
(904) 256-5235
Email

Timetable

Grade 9

Students should talk with their advisor about future plans including classes they might like to take over the next four years of high school, college aspirations, career interests, etc. The courses that a student anticipates taking in his or her junior and senior years may require prerequisite classes that should be taken as a freshman or sophomore. Each year during the scheduling process teachers and advisors work together to ensure that students are placed in appropriately-leveled courses.
Students should explore opportunities to get involved in non-academic programs such as clubs, sports, community service and/or part-time employment. Extracurricular activities should not be considered solely as stepping stones to college, but rather as opportunities for students to develop personal interests as well as important personal characteristics, such as teamwork, leadership, responsibility, and a strong work ethic.
Members of the College Counseling Staff will meet with students during the Bolles Wellness Seminar to present the elements of a Bolles transcript, the importance of extracurricular engagement, and how to plan long-term for college.
Students and parents should remember that a list of any jobs, camps, or special programs should be kept for potential use on applications.
Parents should plan to attend the annual program hosted by the College Counseling staff geared specifically for ninth grade parents.

Grade 10

Students will take the PSAT in October as practice for the SAT. The official administration of the PSAT will take place in October of the junior year.
The College Counseling staff will meet three times during the year with Sophomores to begin to discuss different aspects of the college search process and introduce SCOIR, our college search and application management platform.
Students should review course selection to be sure that the appropriate prerequisite classes are being taken for the curriculum you might want to take as a junior or senior. Students should also ensure that they are on track to meet graduation requirements.
Parents should plan to attend the annual program hosted by the College Counseling staff geared specifically for tenth grade parents.

Grade 11

During the fall, students are encouraged to meet with college representatives who visit campus to learn more about their institutions and the admission process.
In October, students will take the PSAT to prepare for the SAT and to be eligible for the National Merit Scholarship competition.
Students are assigned their college counselor during October of Junior year and begin meeting with them individually in early November. At these meetings the college counselor will begin to get to know the student, help develop a list of prospective colleges, and plan the student’s senior schedule. As they outline a senior schedule in conjunction with their college counselor, students should think about what they might like to study in college, and keep in mind that a strong senior schedule is very important for college admission.
Students should take both the SAT and ACT.
Students and their families should plan to visit colleges over Spring Break, if possible. This is a good time to visit; a family meeting with the college counselor may be useful as plans are being made.
Students should do a thorough job filling out the Junior Questionnaire provided by College Counseling.
In late spring, with input from their college counselor, students should identify which teachers they would like to have write their recommendations and follow the instructions for making a request.
Students should contact (via e-mail, or the college’s web-based sign-up form) their prospective colleges and request information. This contact places them on college mailing lists, and they will begin receiving information from the colleges.
Parents should arrange to meet with their son or daughter’s college counselor, preferably before the end of the school year. They should also fill out the Parent Questionnaire provided by College Counseling.
Parents should plan to attend the annual program hosted by the College Counseling staff geared specifically for eleventh grade parents.

Summer Before Senior Year

If at all possible, students and parents should visit colleges on their ”short list.” Go on campus tours, meet with admission counselors, and attend information sessions. Students should keep notes on their likes and dislikes about particular institutions to help craft their final college list.
Attendance at a Common Application Workshop is required. Several dates and times will be offered.
Attendance at a Common Application Essay Writing workshop is optional; however, before starting any application essays, students should meet with their college counselor to discuss ideas before investing a great deal of time in writing—very often strong essays arise from topics students may consider mundane, but that their counselor recognizes as a potentially good topic.
If they have not already done so, parents should arrange an initial meeting with their son or daughter’s college counselor.

Grade 12

As soon as possible after classes begin, students should meet with their college counselor to discuss their search progress. At this point students should begin finalizing the list of colleges to which they plan to apply.
Students should make a list of each school’s application (admission and scholarship) deadlines.
Students may want to visit colleges (many schools have special programs for high school seniors).
Students should meet with visiting college representatives.
Students should begin submitting college applications (deadlines will vary). All applications must be reviewed by the student’s college counselor prior to submission. Students should plan to submit applications two weeks prior to published deadlines.
Students should submit any scholarship applications (deadlines will vary).
Students should re-take the SAT and ACT (if necessary).
Students should prepare for college interviews (if required). They may request a mock interview with a member of the college counseling staff.
Students should continue to study hard. Some colleges will ask for first-quarter grades; virtually all colleges will be sent first-semester grades.
Students accepted under Early Decision/Early Action programs should withdraw applications from other schools, as appropriate.
After a class meeting in early December, eligible students will initiate the application process for the Florida Bright Futures Scholarship, even if the student does not plan to attend a Florida college or university. (For a variety of reasons, many students return to the state to finish college, and the Bright Futures application must be submitted by high school graduation.)
In March and April, students should respond (accept/decline) to offers of admission and scholarships/financial aid.
Students may want to make final college visits to help in making their decision.
Students should maintain their strong academic achievement. If colleges see a significant drop in second-semester grades, they will demand an explanation.
Once they make a final college choice students will formally accept the offer of admission and request that a final transcript be sent.
Parents should plan to attend the annual program hosted by the College Counseling staff geared specifically for twelfth grade parents.

For College Reps

We are excited to welcome college representatives back to campus for the 2023-24 school year. Please use SCOIR to register for your visit. If you are not traveling to Jacksonville and would prefer a virtual visit, please book the time of your choosing and email Carol Deane Williams (williamscd@bolles.org) who will manually change your visit to the virtual option. We look forward to seeing you all soon!

College Attendance

The Class of 2023 graduates were accepted to 250 different colleges and universities.

This display includes a sample of the 98 schools the Class of 2023 will be attending.

See Full Listing of Colleges

Class of 2023 Facts

$14.5m

in merit-based scholarships over their four-year college careers was offered or qualified for by the graduates.

62%

of 2023 Bolles graduates residing in Florida qualified for Florida Bright Futures Scholarships.

52%

qualified for some form of merit-based awards such as academic, leadership, athletic scholarships or service academy appointments.

29

different states, the District of Columbia and Ireland are home to the colleges of the Class of 2023.

250

different colleges and universities accepted the graduates and they are attending 98.

188

of the 195 graduates are going directly to college. 1 will take a gap year. 6 are undecided.

46

student-athletes were honored for committing to a particular college or university to continue their academic and athletic careers.

31

graduates were “Lifers” — attending Bolles since Pre-Kindergarten or Kindergarten.

25

graduates had parents who graduated from Bolles. 4 had a grandparent who graduated from Bolles or Bartram.

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