The once-used program Naviance, provided to students as a tool to understand what college or career they want to pursue, was replaced in the 2023-24 school year by SchooLinks.
Naviance was supposedly not meeting students’ needs due to the fact that the website had not been updated for several years. The counseling department looked for other programs that they believed would better serve all students, freshmen to seniors.
From easier transcript requests to a linked Common App, SchooLinks is reported to be more user friendly and current in comparison to Naviance. Seniors have, by now, had their one-on-one meeting with their counselors to discuss future plans, possible financial aid, and or other needed assistance (or are slated to have this meeting in the near future), and are starting to make their way to the new platform as college deadlines loom.
SchooLinks can also be applicable to applying for trade schools or the military as well.
And while the move to new software is important, accessing and applying to colleges via SchooLinks is just one part of the process. Counseling Division Head Keely Hanley-Anshel stressed the necessity that students who are still undecided about whether to go to school – or a particular university – take advantage of the college visits that happen in school. Students can look to the announcements for a general understanding of when these visits will occur. However, students must sign up in advance to attend.
Students looking for more information can also attend the college and career fair on October 19 in Commons from 4:00 to 7:00 p.m. According to Hanley-Ansel, there will be a wide variety of schools and career representatives attending. The event is open to all high school grade levels.
Speaking to experts at a college or in the field is an essential aspect of the process.
“If you’re thinking about a career, talk to and interview people in that career. Because you may not really get the full scope of what that looks like” Counseling Division Head, Keely Hanley-Anshel said.
