Counseling Center

A: Students can e-mail or just stop by and see me (I usually have candy)! Parents: please call or e-mail for an appointment as I have many meetings off campus. 

A: Confidentiality is very important and can usually be maintained.  Certain serious concerns must be shared, but I always tell the student when I have to share what they’ve told me.

A: In most cases, SLC’s are very valuable meetings. Not only do they give students a chance to go in-depth into their work in school, but it is another opportunity to make sure students are on track to graduate and go on to great post-secondary options. Many times when a student and their family have missed an opportunity or requirement, it is covered in SLC’s and they did not attend. Because there are 430 students at RAHS, SLC’s are really the only manageable, meaningful way to accomplish individual conferencing for all. It is really amazing that each student is able to have that opportunity to check on their progress and “show off” their work. Remember: not only are they valuable, SLC’s are also required to earn credit in advisory.

A: It depends. The basic rule of thumb is that you can transfer any credit for which your home district would give high school credit. The grade you earned in middle school will also be transferred and will impact your high school grade point average.  There is an official form to add middle school credit that students can pick up in my office.

A: I know it is frustrating! At small schools, schedules are a challenge. Our number one concern is that you earn the credits you need.  Then, we have to make sure classes are not too large. Then, upperclassmen have priority enrollment into classes. 

A: I do not recommend online courses as an alternative to core classes. In my experience, only 20% of the students who sign up for online classes finish them. Some online courses are accepted for credit, however. Please make sure any class for which you would like to receive credit is pre-approved.

A: Just fill out the form in the college/career center. Please allow a week (at the very least) for processing.

A: All colleges are different and college admissions officers are all unique so it is hard to predict what is going to be most important factor in your application to any given school. According to the College Board, however, students’ grades in college preparatory courses are still the most important factor at most colleges. 

A: Running Start can work for students who are completely sure that they know what their major will be and that they want to attend a public college in Washington. If you are planning to go to a private college or a college that is outside of our region, it is likely that they won’t accept the credit.  You are starting your college transcript as well, which is something to be aware of. Some more selective colleges have concerns about students who appear to be trying to “rush through” their education. Plus, Running Start students' grades aren't shared with us until they are final, which means we can't intervene if you aren't passing. Running Start students also miss many school events and activities, so you have to be sure you are ready for that.

A: Please give me as much notice as possible, particularly for the January first deadline. It is helpful to have a fact sheet/resume so I know what you would like highlighted in the letter. Because the Common Application requires a counselor evaluation, I write about eighty letters of recommendation per year, so I really appreciate advance notice! 

A: Colleges accept both tests equally. Most years, our Juniors have the opportunity to take the SAT at RAHS free of charge. If you feel good about that score, take it one more time. If you feel that the SAT didn't accurately reflect your knowledge and ability, try the ACT. If you feel better about that score, take it one more time to maximize your score (students typically achieve their highest score the second time they take the test). There are some theories out there about which "kind" of student does well on which test, but there are so many factors that impact your scores, it's very difficult to know for sure. I recommend taking the SAT and then making the decision whether to take another SAT or the ACT. Check with individual colleges to find out their average freshman test scores and whether they require SAT subject tests. Links to register for the SAT and ACT are available on the "helpful resources" section of this site.