Here are 7 essential tips for navigating the role of school counselors and teachers in your college planning practice:

1. Recognize the Linchpins: School Counselors and Teachers

Understanding the critical roles that school counselors and teachers play in the college application process is essential. They offer invaluable elements like transcripts, school profiles, and recommendations. CounselMore's comprehensive assignments package includes an assignment on obtaining letters of recommendation, which even features a writing exercise to help students articulate their strengths.

2. Decode School-Specific Procedures

It's crucial to familiarize ourselves and our clients with the specific protocols schools use for sending transcripts and recommendations. Systems like Naviance, Scoir, or Maia are often employed. Annapolis College Consulting offers an insightful blog post on navigating these systems effectively.

3. Unpack What Schools Provide

School counselors are responsible for sending official transcripts, which include academic records, grades, and GPAs. They may also submit a school profile that offers additional context to the application. CounselMore's application management features can help you and your clients keep track of these crucial elements.

4. Guide Clients Through Teacher Recommendations

Many colleges require letters of recommendation from teachers. It's essential to review these requirements carefully, as some colleges specify the number of recommendations and the subjects. CounselMore's comprehensive assignments package provides a structured approach to obtaining these vital endorsements.

5. Adapt to the New Normal

You may have taken online courses and think everyone is comfortable with the new normal - not everyone. The COVID-19 pandemic has introduced new challenges, especially concerning the strength of virtual class recommendations. Letters of recommendation from teachers you've only known over Zoom are going to be less effective. Annapolis College Consulting has a blog post that addresses these concerns and offers alternative solutions.

6. Navigate Transcript and Recommendation Requests

Schools often have specific protocols for these requests, requiring resumes or brag sheets and sometimes even proof of application submission. CounselMore's comprehensive assignments package can help streamline this process, ensuring that nothing falls through the cracks.

7. Beat the Clock

It's crucial to coordinate with school counselors and teachers well ahead of application deadlines. For those applying for Early Decision or Early Action, being proactive is especially important. Annapolis College Consulting offers excellent time management tips to help you and your clients stay ahead.

By adhering to these seven tips, we can better guide our clients through the labyrinthine college application process. Remember, the goal is not just to complete applications on time but to set our clients up for success. CounselMore's resources, combined with insights from Annapolis College Consulting, provide a robust framework for achieving this.