Milken’s college counseling process is something most students experience from the outside: meetings, workshops, essay help, and the long list of events that guide students from sophomore year to senior year. But behind all of that is a carefully organized system that starts much earlier than many people realize. Every workshop, meeting, and deadline is part of a larger plan designed to support students academically and emotionally throughout one of the most stressful parts of high school.
Planning for the next school year begins months in advance with what Ms. Baker, the Planning Coordinator of the Office of College Counseling and Academic Planning, calls the “roadmap.” This involves scheduling major events such as parent nights, workshops, and community programs to align with Milken’s academic calendar. She explains, “For all the detail-oriented stuff, like which reps are coming, what rooms they are in, and what food we are ordering, that usually happens the month before the event.” Larger events, like the Case Study Night and the College Essay Writing Workshop, require three to four months of preparation because they involve multiple departments and outside college representatives.
The College Essay Writing Workshops are a key feature of the program for both juniors and seniors. Seniors have workshops at the beginning and end of summer, providing early guidance before the school year starts and helping students refine their essays before deadlines. Ms. Baker says, “I love peaking my head into the workshops to listen to students and hear their insight on what they are looking forward to writing about.”
The workshops mark the point when the college process shifts from something abstract into something real and tangible. Students begin to explore what matters to them while counselors and college representatives guide them in shaping compelling personal statements. Other events, like the second Grade 11 Parent Night and the Case Study Event, are timed during one of the most stressful periods of junior year, right before spring break. Ms. Baker describes this period as “a very drastic shift in the process from a speculative, aspirational phase to a more concrete, practical, detailed process.” Students and parents often feel overwhelmed by exams, family meetings, and early college decisions, making these events crucial moments for guidance and support.
For seniors, the college counseling team has also created Appy Hours, a weekly opportunity for students to make progress on their college applications while enjoying food and one-on-one time with counselors. Since the beginning of the year, Appy Hours have been held every Tuesday from 3 to 4 pm, offering pizza, salad, snacks, and drinks along with 15 to 20 minute meetings with a counselor. As deadlines approach, Appy Hours expand to Tuesdays and Thursdays, providing additional guidance and support during the busiest part of the application cycle.
Milken students also benefit from frequent visits from college representatives. These visits give students the opportunity to ask questions, learn directly from admissions officers, and make connections that go beyond what research alone can provide. This year, Milken has hosted representatives schools like Columbia, Brown, USC, UPenn, Babson, UChicago, Vanderbilt, Michigan, UMiami, Indiana, and many more.
While planning and logistics are critical, the heart of Milken’s college counseling programming is helping students build opportunities that excite them. Ms. Baker explains, “Helping students build a list of schools that are realistic and that they would love to go to is one of our strengths.” Admissions results vary from year to year, but Milken consistently sends a higher percentage of students to four-year universities than the national average. The program is designed to ensure that every student has options they feel genuinely excited about, combining practical guidance with personal support.
