College Guidance, Preparation, and Success

Pennsylvania Governor provides grants for college and career counseling. The new $3 million grants will help 33,000 students in 19 school districts receive postsecondary planning assistance. To read more visit this State of Pennsylvania page.

According to 2007 data reported in the New York Times, there are on average 311 public school students per each guidance counselor. Counselors spend about 23 percent of their work on college preparation primarily on helping to align curriculum with college standards, host college representatives, represent students to college officers, assist with applications and financial aid. The number one activity counselors did in regard to college counseling was meeting with individual students to discuss college options. Perhaps in high need schools with large populations, counselors could benefit from group college advising, recruitment of volunteer mentors to help students navigate the college search and application process, and streamline college recruitment strategies.