College Counseling
We’ll help you find the right fit.
Tilton School’s College Counseling Office promotes and facilitates a healthy and well-balanced approach to the university admissions process. We recognize the individual needs of each student and personalize a plan to help them select and gain acceptance to the best fit programs for them. The College Counseling Office serves as a support for students; educating them on different institutions, admissions procedures, and trends. The College Counselors have developed a program that will enable students to take the lead in their college search and discover environments in which they can thrive.
The Counseling Program, staffed by two full-time counselors, uses a structured grade level approach to work with all students, grades 9 through PG. Starting in the spring of freshman year and continuing through sophomore year, students participate in college exploration and academic advising with the College Counselors. Underclassmen can also seek individual consultation throughout the year. By winter of their junior year, students are matched with their College Counselor for regular one-to-one meetings. Counselors work closely and often with juniors and seniors to help plan, track, and manage their post-secondary plans, while also nurturing their educational and personal goals.
Grades 9 & 10: Exploration
At Tilton, we’re focused on giving each student the tools to build their own future, that’s why preparing for college at Tilton begins early. Freshmen focus on creating a foundation involving individualized course selection, goal setting, and skill building that forges their personalized education.
Continuous discovery and self-reflection are hallmarks of every year at Tilton, but how a student comes to articulate their ideas about their fit at a university begins to take shape sophomore year, setting the stage for the deeper work to come.
Grades 11, 12 & PG: Preparation & Commitment
During the 11th-grade, 12th-grade, and postgraduate years, counselors have frequent individual sessions with each student. Here, students work to compile a realistic list of college possibilities, and to review their progress in the application process. The junior year focuses on preparation and list-building. During weekly Student Experience Blocks in the Spring, we cover important topics relevant to the college search while relieving some of the anxieties that may surround the process.
The goal of the senior or postgraduate year is to support students in the college application and decision-making process. The year begins with the Post-Tilton Defense, when all students are required to present three post-secondary pathways to a panel of faculty. Individualized attention and focus are given to the unique needs and talents of each senior and postgraduate during their bi-weekly advising session. Advising and support are also available for all parents of senior students, primarily for understanding financial aid requirements and deadlines.
For College Admissions Representatives
To schedule a visit, please use Scoir or contact the College Counseling Office directly.
Student/Family Resources
The following links are resources that students and families will find helpful during the College Counseling process. If you have questions at any time, please feel free to contact your student’s College Counselor for assistance.
Test Prep
Tilton School partners with Revolution Prep—the industry leader— to provide ACT, SAT, and AP preparation sessions. To ensure full access for all families, test prep fees are scaled based on financial aid packages.
The Post-Tilton Defense
Each fall, members of the graduating class participate in this annual Tilton tradition. Presenting to a panel of faculty and staff members, students express their plans for the future and receive feedback from community members who are invested in their wellbeing and success.