What to Expect When Meeting with an Advisor?

I'm planning my first meeting with my high school advisor and I'm kinda nervous about it. I want to make sure I get all the value I can from our appointments because college is right around the corner, and I need all the guidance I can get. What should I prepare beforehand, and are there specific questions I should be asking during our meeting to help with college applications and career planning? Would love to hear from anyone who’s had a positive experience with their advisor!

It's great that you're taking this initiative! Meeting with an academic advisor can be incredibly useful, particularly when you're preparing for something as impactful as college and career planning.

Before your meeting, you should prepare a list of colleges you're interested in, potential majors to pursue, and any career ideas you might have. Even if they're vague or uncertain, these will give the advisor a starting point to help guide you better.

Here are few questions you can consider asking:

1. College suggestions: "Given my interests and academic performance, what colleges would you recommend I consider?"

2. College applications: "What are some key elements that make a college application stand out?"

3. Essays: "Can you give me some tips on writing a strong college essay?"

4. Financial aid: "What resources can I use to learn more about financial aid and scholarships?"

5. AP/IB/Dual-Enrollment courses: "What advanced courses should I consider taking that would help strengthen my transcript?"

6. Test planning: "How should I plan for SAT/ACT testing, given my schedule?"

7. Extracurriculars: "What kinds of extracurricular activities align with my interests and could strengthen my application?"

8. Summer planning: "What activities should I consider during summers to boost my resume/application?"

9. Timelines: "What are some important timelines/deadlines I need to keep in mind for college applications and financial aid?"

10. Major/Career: "Could you provide some advice on how to explore potential majors and career paths?"

Remember, your advisor is there to guide you. It's perfectly fine to not know something and to ask for help. You're on the right track, and these conversations should be seen as a tool to help you down your path. Best of luck with your meeting!