BIDDEFORD — Every year, many high school seniors go through the grueling college application process. From writing personal essays to filing the Federal Student Aid documents, there is a large need for support during the stressful deadlines.

At Biddeford High School, there are three guidance counselors who assist students before and during the application process. The students are sorted by last name and divided up between the three counselors, and they remain with same counselor all four years of high school.

There is a lot that goes into preparing students for the next step. Counselors do everything from creating schedules to conferencing with students about their interests. With the Center of Technology trade programs and new technologies such as Naviance, an online college and career software, counselors are able to fully prepare students for their futures.

“In the junior year conferences, we talk to students about the COT and trade programs as well as doing interest inventories on Naviance,” said counselor Dolores Charest. “Completing the courses at the COT can give students an edge after they graduate and are looking for jobs.”

Each counselor supports around 250 students, and it can be hard to make sure every student is ready.

“We’re building relationships with the students, but the bigger caseload can make it harder to affect change during the four years,” counselor Jennifer Rowland said.

The college process has so many moving parts, so it can be hard to know how to begin.

“Mrs. Rowland told me about colleges and made the whole process really easy,” said BHS senior Jared Pierce. “She checked my applications to make sure everything was right and she asked the right questions. We ended up meeting every two weeks during the process, and now I’m committed to going to Wentworth Institute of Technology.”

In her six years working at Biddeford High School, Charest said a lot of aspects of the college process have changed significantly.

“Biddeford has become the highest English language learners population in York County,” said Charest. “We do our best to help (students) develop English skills before applying to schools.”

Rowland agreed.

“I’ve been working as a guidance counselor for 14 years,” said Rowland. “In that time, college prices have gotten out of hand. Students need to be a lot more financially savvy with their decisions.”

In order to make sure students and families in the Biddeford school system are aware of how to file the Federal Student Aid documents, the counselors host a financial aid information night.

“It’s good to have a support person for financial aid,” said Charest. “I really worry that some (students) are not savvy enough when they’re looking at the price of college linked to the career they’re pursuing.”

Because of the rise in college costs, Rowland said she’s seen a shift in where students choose to go to college.

“It’s not all about four year schools anymore,” said Rowland. “More students are opting to go to community college, and it’s more (socially) accepted.”

New technology has opened up a new way to apply to schools like the Common Application which has allowed students to instantly send applications to colleges.

“Sometimes, instead of researching schools, students just apply to schools at the click of a button,” Rowland said.

In 2014, Rowland began a new tradition at Biddeford High School: On the Spot Admissions Day. Maine schools such as the University of New England, University of Maine Orono, Thomas College, and University of Southern Maine send admissions counselors into the school to meet with applicants.

While they’re meeting with the student, they look over their application, and students can be accepted on the spot. This year, Biddeford High School had 130 acceptances into seven different colleges.

“On the Spot Day is very beneficial because the application fees are waived and it gives you the opportunity to be accepted earlier than a majority of your peers,” BHS senior Maggie Behen said.

Charest said the most rewarding part of working to prepare students for the next step is seeing a student graduate whose had a lot of struggles.

Rowland agreed.

“It’s an awesome feeling to be with a student for four years and see them grow,” said Rowland. “I’ve had students reach out to me and say, ‘I’m where I am in life because of you,’ and it’s so rewarding.”

Copy the Story Link

Comments are not available on this story.