2006 NACADA National Conference

Indianapolis, Indiana

High School to College Advising Interest Group Meeting Summary

What programs/alternatives do you have at your institution to work with high school counselors or high school students, assisting in the transition from high school to college?

High School Counselors

• Developing relationships with high school counselors through Upward Bound and inviting them to campus
• Counselor Breakfast
• Admissions Counselors recruit at high schools
• High School requirements are the same as the University admission requirements
• Career Development Day — High School Counselors visit College to learn procedures
• Day of Dialog with Advisors and High School Counselors

High School Students

• Testing, registration and advising at the high school
• Dual Enrollment Student Information Night
• Parent Information Nights
• High School Students visit college for a day
• Ground Hog Shadow Day — high school students shadow college students
• Technical Preparation
• Early Orientation
• Sneak Preview Recruitment
• Summer program for students to study reading, writing, and math. Do one-on-one interviews with these students.
• Student Leadership Program
• Athletes mentor some middle school students

High School Teachers

• Conversations conference with university faculty and high school teachers

What do you think are the most critical issues that we need to work on concerning the high school to college transition?

Curriculum

• Math and Science
• High School student preparation for college courses/curriculum (3)
• Need more math if a student finishes high school calculus
• Not taking math in the senior year (2)

Testing

• Placement tests
• Standardized testing
• Testing opportunities such as THEA and Compass

Communication/Linkages

• Linking with college advisors
• Communication between high schools and universities
• Turf issues within colleges and high schools
• Counselors understanding of financial aid
• Blame game
• Bridge the gap to have a seamless transition

Other

• Time spent with students
• Students with unrealistic expectations and goals
• High counselor caseload
• Pressure to get good grades
• Pressure from over involved parents
• Continued access

What are some strategies to begin to deal with these issues?

Curriculum

• Get with high school associations/counselors to develop curriculum that meets university standards

Communication/Linkages

• Bring high school instructors to campus — may lead to a recruitment tool
• More counselor training and involvement
• Conversations conference (when high school teachers have an in-service) or summer
• Better communication between the two groups (2)
• Focus groups
• Working relationship with high school counselors and faculty (2)
• Collaboration at top administrative level (locally and at the state level)
• Assign faculty advisors to work with high schools
• Partnership with colleges in area
• Discounted rate — in return invite advisors to your state level and/or local meetings
• Learning Institute

Other

• Mentor programs
• Two plus two scholarships
• Involving parents in a positive way
• Involving parents and students earlier