Overview

The Rolling Hills Prep School college counseling office guides and supports students through identifying and selecting a college or university that best fits their unique talents and interests. The college selection process is student focused and we encourage each of our students to select a path that best suits them.

Freshman Year
Our goal for every entering freshman is for him or her to become fully engaged in the life of RHP. Students take full advantage of all that the school has to offer. Freshman year is the time for students to discover talents, develop interests, and to sample variety activities. It is also the time to refine study habits and skills to form a foundation for future academic success. The college counselor is available to consult with students and parents on academic and extracurricular choices.

Sophomore Year
Having completed their transition to the Upper School, sophomores focus on developing their academic and extra-curricular profiles and are encouraged to involve themselves in the school community. This is the year that students should begin to focus a bit more on the activities and classes that have become most meaningful to them. This year, standardized testing begins with the PSAT in October. The college counselor is available to meet with students and parents to discuss how academic and extracurricular choices will affect college opportunities.

Junior Year
The junior year presents students with the challenge of finding a balance between handling a rigorous academic course load, researching colleges, and taking on positions of leadership in their activities. Grades earned in the junior year often serve as the primary evidence of academic preparation and level of engagement. The college counselor meets individually with juniors during the second trimester when fall PSAT scores and first trimester grades become available. Juniors are encouraged to visit colleges during vacations, particularly during spring break, to get a sense of the different types of post-secondary education that are available to them. Most juniors will take the SAT, SAT IIs and/or ACT for the first time in May and/or June.

Senior Year
During their last year at RHP, seniors enroll in advanced classes and lead the student body to shape the culture of the school year. They also choose the colleges to which they will apply. Admissions representatives from various colleges and universities are invited to RHP to meet prospective students. Seniors will take any additional standardized tests they need, ask teachers and counselors for recommendations, work on applications and write essays. The college counselor supports the students and their parents throughout this very busy year. RHP students benefit from a low student to counselor ratio and have unlimited access to their college counselor.

And It Works!
Our graduates come back to visit us from college and let us know how well-prepared they are for the experience. RHP graduates report that they are among the strongest writers in their freshman classes and that they feel more prepared than many of their peers for the time-management challenges of living away from home and juggling academic and extracurricular activities. RHP alumni graduate from their four-year colleges within four years at a rate of over 85% (compared to 22% of those attending four-year colleges nationally).

Important Links
Naviance
College Corner Blog 

Contact the College Counseling Office
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