8th Grade Family Conference Information

As a college preparatory school, Harrisburg Academy devotes extensive resources to guiding Upper School students individually through the college preparation, selection, and application process.

Students and their families have access to the services of a full-time director of college counseling, a vast library of college materials, and a website with valuable information such as calendars, links, and frequently asked questions and answers. We host information nights and financial aid sessions to help parents with the college planning process.

The college counseling process begins during the student’s eighth grade year with a family conference to create an individualized four-year plan. As freshmen, students begin to work on a web-based resume builder and college planner, take the ACT-Plan test, and begin to provide the college counseling office with information about honors, awards, and outside coursework.

During the sophomore-year family conference, students review their progress and plan for their final two years.

More than 50 colleges and universities send representatives to the Academy each year to meet with our Upper School students.

Beginning as early as the sophomore year, students are encouraged to attend meetings of interest to them. Sophomores are also welcome to attend the annual Winter College Fair, and they may choose to take the PSAT in the fall of their sophomore year.
All juniors take the PSAT at no additional charge to the family.

Juniors are required to attend meetings with college representatives and to participate, with at least one parent, in the Winter College Fair. They must report on the college fair as part of a College Prep class. The class includes practice interviews, college visits, and essay writing. Juniors also have an opportunity to visit colleges and universities on school-sponsored trips.

Once students decide where to apply, the director of college counseling becomes highly involved in the application process. The director writes personal recommendations and reviews each teacher recommendation, assists in the preparation of applications and essays, and packages and sends the application materials. These efforts help to ensure that students attend the colleges and universities that best meet their individual needs and future goals.