What To Expect

We believe that freshman year is too early to begin to focus directly on college. It is a time for students to get acclimated to high school and the new responsibilities that come with it. However, we do encourage the following:

• Students can start thinking about their interests and passions, and pursue activities that may support them.
• Students should design their course schedules to give them the time and space to explore the subjects and extracurriculars that get them excited.
• By developing strong study habits and time management techniques early on, students will see positive results on their transcript. It is important for students to put forth their best effort starting freshman year as this will determine their courses in subsequent years as well as impact their options for college down the road.

• All sophomores have the opportunity to take the PSAT at Harvey in October and the Pre-ACT at Harvey in April. Students are encourages to continue to explore their boundaries academically through the selection of their core and elective classes. 
• Students should continue to explore extracurricular interests and seek opportunities to engage in activities both in and outside of the Harvey community.
• The College Office will begin to communicate with sophomores and their families through mass emails and on-campus events that will help them prepare for the individualized college planning that takes place in their junior year.

In the fall:

• Junior College Night Event: Students and parents meet in October with the college counseling staff to get an overview of the junior and college year processes.
• Students take the PSAT on campus in October.
• College counselors are assigned in late November and individualized advising begins.

In the winter:

• Winter Junior College Night: An additional College Information Night for juniors and parents is held.
• Student meetings continue and parent meetings are encouraged for students to focus on their college lists.

In the spring/summer:

• Students continue to meet with their college counselors to shape the college list, work on the brag sheet, and begin work on the personal statement/essay.
• Students visit colleges during spring break and summer months. Be sure to sit in on information sessions, take a campus tour, and schedule an interview when possible.
• Juniors take a first round of standardized testing (SAT and/or ACT) during the spring test dates.
• The college counseling staff is available throughout the summer. Students and families can schedule meetings to to over all aspects of college applications and essays.

• Senior College Night is held in early September for seniors and their parents.
• Seniors meet with representatives of colleges visiting campus in the fall.
• Regular meetings continue between seniors and college counselors to finalize the college list, essays, and applications.
• Students can choose to participate in interview prep with the College Office.
• Standardized testing for seniors ends in the fall. The final test date that most seniors register for is November.
• Applications are completed before winter break.