On Wednesday, Darlington seniors participated in the annual College Boot Camp, a day-long event hosted by the College Guidance Office meant to prepare them for the college admission process.
College Boot Camp is built off of the curriculum that students learn in their college advising meetings during the spring of their junior year. At the event, they participate in a variety of sessions, starting with a panel discussion featuring several college representatives from a variety of different types of colleges. This year, the panel featured representatives from Samford University, Centre College, Oglethorpe University, Sewanee: The University of the South, and Hampden-Sydney College. Panelists answered student questions regarding all facets of the college admissions process.
Following the panel, students had a multitude of breakout sessions to choose from focusing on topics such as financial aid, the holistic application review and more. After the breakout sessions, they attended a session to learn tips about the college application essay and, finally, they debriefed the day with their college advisors. Seniors planning to navigate the collegiate athletics recruitment process had the option to stay for an additional session with Darlington coaches and athletic professionals to learn more about the recruiting process.
"The main goals of College Boot Camp are to reduce students' stress surrounding the college application process and for them to have college choices in the spring," said Ivy Brewer, dean of college guidance. "We work very hard to support our students throughout the process in small groups and through additional learning opportunities. We use it not only as a time to apply for college, but to prepare for lifelong skills like networking, writing thank you notes and meeting deadlines."
For boarding student Nicky Lawrence, the college guidance program at Darlington has already made an impact on how he views the college admissions process.
"Going into the College Boot Camp, I felt very overwhelmed with the entirety of the college application process," he said. "However, Darlington went above and beyond with the College Boot Camp, creating a very helpful environment, with plenty of top-tier resources to help students completely grasp what is required of them to be successful in this process. Because of the boot camp and constant help and reassurance from my college advisor, this process no longer seems like a giant hurdle, and I am well equipped to complete the application process."
Additional college guidance programs at Darlington include the College Fair, campus visits, and dedicated college advisors for spring-semester juniors and seniors. The College Guidance Office also recently opened a new workshop space for students that is staffed by college advisors during free period every day. Students can visit the space to work on college application materials and to have their questions answered by trusted advisors.
The College Fair will take place on Sept. 9 with 145 colleges in attendance at the time of publication.
