Questions to Ask Your High School Counselor

Your school counselors have a wealth of knowledge and expertise to assist you during your college selection process. They can answer questions about majors, college admissions tests, college applications, financial aid, and how to choose the best college for your personal circumstances.

Schedule a meeting with your high school counselor so he or she can better learn who you are and what you want from a college education. Think about what you'd like to discuss. The more information you provide, the better advice you will receive. Here is a list of specific questions you may want to ask:

Questions About College Courses

1. What subjects should I study during high school in order to prepare for college?
2. Does my high school offer any Advanced Placement, International Baccalaureate, or other advanced courses? Do these courses count as college credits? Should I consider enrolling in any of these courses?
3. Does my high school offer a dual-enrollment program with a local community college?

Questions About Standardized Tests

1. When should I take the PSAT/PLAN test, and how do I sign up? Is my high school a testing site?
2. When should I take the SAT/ACT, and how do I sign up? Is my high school a testing site?
3. What score do I need to achieve on the SAT/ACT so the colleges I'm considering will accept me?

Questions About Researching and Applying to College

1. What should be on my checklist while I am researching colleges?
2. Does my high school have guidebooks and other resources to help me explore potential careers?
3. Does my high school sponsor a college fair? If not, are there any held in our local community?
4. Does my high school offer tutoring, test preparation, or other resources to help me prepare for college?
5. Where do students from my high school go to college? Which colleges have those students applied to in the past?
6. What grades must I achieve to be considered by the colleges that interest me?
7. Whom do I ask for recommendation letters, and when is the appropriate time?
8. What activities can I do at home and during summer break to improve my college applications and make a great impression on college admissions officers?

Questions About College Costs

1. How do I research college costs and ways to pay for college?
2. Does my high school offer financial aid help, such as a FAFSA workshop?
3. Does my high school offer any scholarships for which I can apply?

Additional Resources:

• Find out about your student aid eligibility and net cost estimates by college, years before you apply, with a College Cost & Planning Report™
• Learn about the many student aid programs available to help you pay for college
• Find out how the student aid process works