College Counseling  

At Arab Model Schools, we believe in preparing our students for a successful post-secondary educational experience. Our comprehensive college counseling program ensures that students are well-prepared for their next steps, whether it's attending college or university.

OUR PHILOSOPHY 

We encourage our students to grow naturally and appreciate life in and beyond school. We aim to alleviate the pressures often associated with “college preparation” by making students aware early on of what they need to be admissible to their desired colleges and universities. We involve students actively in the process and guide them as they navigate their educational paths.

NINTH AND TENTH GRADES

During ninth and tenth grades, our goal is to help students develop essential “habits of mind,” including good organization, time-management, goal-setting, and objective-setting. We focus on an academic trajectory that meets graduation requirements while fostering curiosity and a thirst for knowledge.

• Academics: Students embark on courses that fulfill Writing Across the Curriculum, Computer Science, and Fine Arts requirements.

• Extracurriculars: We encourage involvement in athletics, clubs, community service, local nonprofits, or part-time work. Emphasis is on depth over breadth, valuing quality over quantity.

• Self-Discovery: Through the PSAT and activities like Naviance’s Family Connection, students explore self-assessment and career interests.

By the end of sophomore year, students should reflect on their journey and make necessary changes to align with their goals.

ELEVENTH AND TWELFTH GRADES

In eleventh grade, the focus shifts to upper-level courses and the college search process. Students take ownership of their plans while parents play a supportive, backstage role.

• College Search: Students begin to define their ideal college characteristics using intuition and online resources like College Board's Big Future, and individual college websites. This research is complemented by college campus visits to test their personal assumptions and build their final application list.

Starting in January, we meet with juniors and their parents to discuss their aspirations and outline a tentative list of colleges and universities based on academic profiles, standardized testing data, and special interests. Spring break and summer are ideal times for college visits, allowing students to gather valuable insights.

• Senior Year Focus: In the fall of senior year, we work closely with each student to refine their college lists, ensuring a balanced mix of likely, possible, reach, and far-reach schools. We encourage students to “fall in love” with several colleges across the admission selectivity spectrum, avoiding stereotypes and outdated information.

Our message to students: There are many college fits out there for you. Be true to yourself and pursue what genuinely interests you.

• Successful Outcomes: Our seniors have met with tremendous success in the college application process, with 70-80% of past graduating classes being accepted into their first or second-choice schools. On average, seniors submit five to six applications, demonstrating that their choices are well-considered and not random.

Our ultimate objective is to ensure that each student and their family feel a keen sense of satisfaction with their Arab Model Schools educational experience and view their next chapter—college—with excitement and confidence, knowing it is a good fit and outcome.