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College Counseling

The Island Pacific Academy college counseling process is unique to each student – we guide, inform, suggest, refer, challenge, and counsel our students as they uncover and cultivate their academic and creative talents, values, and beliefs. We focus on each student’s career interests to drive the desire to seek post-secondary education.

The Process Timeline

College counseling begins with the expectation that all of our students will seek a post-secondary educational experience. The college admissions process, and ultimately the selection of a college or university, is both an extraordinarily important and personal decision that begins and ends with the student. Our goal is to support our students as they determine their right fit for post-secondary experience.

Formally, the college counseling process is initiated in Grade 9. Students are provided the opportunity to identify and implement those study skills that most support their learning, and are encouraged to begin planning an interesting and challenging four year course of study. We review IPA’s graduation requirements to ensure students understand the demands of earning an IPA diploma.

In Grade 10, counseling through the Puʻuhonua process continues. Students meet in small groups with their college counselor and are familiarized with the college admissions process. Students complete the Preliminary Scholastic Aptitude Test (PSAT) in October and attend the National Association of College Admissions Counselors Spring College Fair in Honolulu. A summer mainland college tour is offered to freshmen, sophomores, and juniors.

In Grade 11, students attend on-campus college presentations at IPA throughout the fall. Students complete a second PSAT in October as a qualifying exam for the National Merit Scholarship Program and as preparation for the Spring SAT, and begin individual meetings with their college counselor. All students are encouraged to sit for the May/June SAT. Junior-level English courses support the college-essay draft process after AP exams in early May.

During the summer months between the junior and senior years, students are encouraged to seek individual and small-group SAT preparation and college essay draft support on campus.

In the senior year, students and parents meet formally with their counselor to discuss the college application process and review the list of colleges to which the student will apply. Students are encouraged to schedule several meetings throughout the year to ensure that they are presenting their strongest application possible.

In the Fall, there will be bi-weekly meetings through student’s uʻuhonua as well as office hours available each week. Students are also able to schedule meeting times during their study halls.

Susan Goya headshot

Susan Goya

Dean of College Counseling

[email protected]

Questions?

If you have any questions regarding college counseling, you can email the counselor, Ms. Susan Goya.