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College Planning

One of the benchmarks that The Clariden School uses to assess our quality is our students being successful in their ‘next’ educational or professional setting. College and career exploration begins with 7th and 8th graders and the planning process begins in 9th grade. To date, 100% of Clariden’s graduates have attended a college or university. The Kuder Career Planning System is one tool that we provide our students to help them refine their interests, clarify their goals and plan their future. Career days occur when professionals come in and discuss their careers with the Upper School students. Additionally, field trips are scheduled where students will shadow a professional for a day. In this way, our teens get a realistic, first-hand experience of any given career or job. In the past, we’ve had engineers, restaurant owners, federal agents, business owners, video game designers, pilots, lawyers, chefs, physicians and others.

College visits are scheduled for both individuals and entire classes. Each fall, The Clariden School hosts a College Night for members of the community. The college admission process is explained and helpful resources are available, in an atmosphere of enthusiasm and support. Our college planning timeline is as follows:

7th & 8th Grades

  • Introduced to Kuder Career Planning System, set up their personal portfolio.
  • Write a career exploration paper.
  • Attend guidance seminar introducing them to the college planning process, high school credits, expectations and requirements

9th Grade

  • Research colleges that support their career interests. Explore the grades, credits, and test scores necessary to attend those colleges.
  • Update their Kuder portfolio.
  • Attend Clariden’s College Night.
  • Take PSAT for practice.
  • Meet with Upper School Division Head to prepare their degree plan.

10th Grade

  • Revise and/or expand their college and career interests.
  • Update their Kuder portfolio, being sure to include community service, extra-curricular activities and leadership experiences.
  • Take PSAT.
  • Meet with Upper School Division Head to clarify their degree plan.
  • Attend Clariden’s College Night.

11th Grade

  • Take SAT/ACT prep class, offered after school at Clariden.
  • Take PSAT.
  • Take SAT/ACT.
  • Make college visits.
  • Attend Clariden’s College Night.
  • Meet with Upper School Division Head to clarify their degree plan.
  • Re-take Kuder Interest Inventories, refine interests and update portfolio.
  • Create a resume.
  • Continue to explore potential colleges and requirements.

12th Grade

  • Re-take SAT/ACT, if desired.
  • Visit the colleges on their short list.
  • Attend monthly lunch meetings with Upper School Division Head and/or Counselor to track college admission tasks.
  • Refine their resume.
  • Write college essays.
  • Request letters of recommendation.
  • Complete college and financial aid applications, including information from their Kuder portfolio.
  • Make decisions and celebrate!

Taking the ACT/SAT

To register for college admissions tests, you will need the following information: