Guidance expertise. Western Reserve Academy's College Counseling Office has extensive experience working with the high aspirations and expectations of our students and parents, with outstanding results. WRA's small size allows our counseling staff to get to know students well and thus provide effective, individualized counseling.

Connections. We maintain a strong rapport with college admissions officers across the nation, and close to 100 college representatives visit WRA each year. Our students are also provided opportunities to meet college representatives at college fairs and special programs. Although the vast majority of material can now be accessed online, our resource center offers updated college catalogs, DVDs and other pertinent information.

College counseling begins when a student enters WRA. Throughout their WRA careers, students receive counseling about making course selections, building a strong academic profile and taking standardized tests. Through close work and consultation with each student's faculty advisor, coaches and activity supervisors, our college guidance staff also helps students to round out their personal non-academic profiles that will accompany their credentials to colleges. Our counseling staff meets individually with juniors to prepare a preliminary list of colleges that fit each student's ability, interests and goals. College visits and further investigation help refine the list.

The application process. Seniors review their "short lists" with their college counselor and establish a timetable for submitting application materials. Other issues - early decision options, financial aid, scholarships and student-athlete requirements, for example - are also discussed. A formal appraisal of each student is included in supporting materials sent to colleges. Once all materials have been submitted to colleges, our staff continues our advocacy for the students via phone calls and e-mails to admissions offices, coaches, and other pertinent officials at the students' colleges.