Interviews, applications, meetings: the busy life of a senior counselor
Located in McGowan (pictured) the senior counseling office is swirling with activity at this time of year. No matter what, though, the counselors are always there to help.
Whether the task be conducting senior interviews, attending meetings, completing paperwork, or sending out letters, the senior counselors are some of the busiest people at Carlisle High School.
Senior interviews are a big part of the counselor’s jobs and they have been working on them since we came back in August.
School counselor Amy Knapp explained that “we have to meet with 300-400 students individually during study halls. We cannot pull you out of classes, [so] there are very few periods that we have to do that.”
As 2016 is coming to an end, so are senior interviews.
“I’m finishing up senior interviews so I’ve been working with seniors to transition them to the next step in their life whether they’re going out to work or going to college or going into the military […] There’s a lot going on,” stated Emily McDonald, school counselor.
Although senior interviews are beginning to wrap up, the counselor’s workload does not diminish.
November and December are the two biggest months for college application deadlines. With the deadlines come questions, letters of recommendation, and transcript requests that all get directed in the direction of the counselor’s office.
School counselor Johanna Jones explained that “there are several steps that counselors need to take to process a transcript request, prepare specific documents for certain applications, and write letters of recommendation to colleges on our students’ behalf.”
Along with senior interviews and applications, counselors have other obligations such as meetings for SAP, IEP (Individualized Education Plan), department meetings, or faculty meetings counselor’s schedules are packed full from 7:30 in the morning until 3:15 in the afternoon.
The busyness does not stop them from being our counselors and they left us with these pieces of advice:
“Students definitely want to watch their deadlines and make sure that they’re also being responsible with putting their transcript requests in a timely manner. They can always look at Naviance to see if things have been sent or they can send us emails if they have any questions”-Emily McDonald
“No matter how busy counselors are–and we are busy, [as] our caseloads are very large–no matter how busy we are, we do care deeply about our students and about your success and we are always available for you. Our top priority is you. We try to see students whenever there is an urgent need; we make ourselves available. Please don’t hesitate to come to us if you need something and if your concern is not urgent, just be aware that are response might be a little delayed but that is because we are responding to other students with more urgent needs”-Amy Knapp
“We are here to help….not to do it for you….but certainly to help you figure out your path, your solution. We are here to provide support for change”-Johanna Jones
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Brooklyn Norrell is currently a senior at Carlisle Area High School and this is her third year in Periscope. Brooklyn is the student life section editor...
