The College Counseling Center is now open as a resource to assist juniors and seniors as they prepare and explore their options for college.
The College Counseling Center was paid for by the school district and the Bexley Education Foundation and is located on the first floor in what used to be the library tech room, said college counselor Stephanie Krosnosky.
At the College Counseling Center, students can begin their college search, work on college applications and get information, among other things, Krosnosky said.
“I want the students to become more informed about the [college search and application] process itself,” Krosnosky said.
Principal John Kellogg said the College Counseling Center is an accessible and helpful place for students to work.
“[The College Counseling Center] adds to that sense of support as students go through the application process,” Kellogg said.
With the creation of the College Counseling Center, Krosnosky hopes that students will become less stressed about the application process.
“My goal for students who walk into the College [Counseling] Center is that every day when they leave, they have accomplished a part of the application process,” Krosnosky said.
Senior Claire Schneider has used the center many times.
“This resource is going to help a lot of people stay organized and reduce their stress,” Schneider said.
Senior Matt Wren loves the accessibility of the center.
“I have found it useful in my college research and application process,” Wren said.
The College Counseling Center is equipped with numerous resources such as books about how to write college admissions essays and computers with access to Naviance, an online college search engine, Krosnosky said.
“Naviance is a resource that can be used throughout the entire college search and admissions process,” Krosnosky said.
In addition to being a college search engine, Naviance offers information about scholarships, helps predict where a student may be accepted based on his or her G.P.A. and test scores and shows which colleges are visiting Bexley, Krosnosky said.
The center is also open to juniors who can begin a basic college search and compile a list of “must-haves” in terms of school characteristics and their desired program of study, Krosnosky said.
Krosnosky has already started looking to the future with high hopes for the College Counseling Center.
“I hope the College Couseling Center will grow in reference materials,” Krosnosky said. “I also hope to expand our scholarship and financial aid resources.”
Kellogg is glad that the school can now offer students a space designed specifically to help with the college process.
“I always envisioned a place for kids to find resources and I think that has happened,” he said.