College Counseling
College Counseling
Individualized College Counseling for Every Student Grades 7-12 at Roycemore School
From the moment they enter 7th grade, Roycemore students and their families begin the very personal process of planning for college with our College Counselor, Ashley Quire, who builds a rapport with each student. In consultation with advisors and teachers, Mrs. Quire offers counseling on the best college choices based on each student’s personality, desires, and academic record.
Roycemore's College Counseling Process
In the increasingly selective world of college admissions, there is nothing more important to achieving post-secondary success than careful planning. College counseling services at Roycemore play a vital role in preparing students for higher education and their future careers.
Unlike most schools, which typically provide college guidance to only juniors and seniors, college counseling at Roycemore is implemented in a robust, 6-year process that is seamlessly integrated into the students’ Middle and Upper School experiences. This includes instances when 7th and 8th grade families begin long-term college planning. Programming includes “College and Cocktails,” our college information night for parents, Roycemore Alumni Visits, and hosting various college admissions representatives throughout the year.
Phases of the College Counseling Process
Introduction Stage: Grades 7-8
The College Counselor begins cultivating relationships with 7th and 8th grade families and forming a blueprint of understanding to navigate the college counseling process. Programming in this stage includes building understanding and expectations of Roycemore’s college counseling process, invitations to college counseling sponsored events, and creating a Naviance profile.
Interest Exploration Stage: Grades 9-10
The College Counselor begins building a foundation with 9th grade students by exploring a wide variety of academic and extracurricular options. This allows them to adequately reflect on how their strengths and interests may be valuable in pursuing certain career paths. 9th and 10th grade students work on refining their initial findings to a smaller group of genuine passions that they can then explore further.
Passion Pursuit Stage: Grade 11
Students begin “testing the waters” and acting on their college research. 11th grade students become more involved with the college planning process as they take on additional roles and activities that align with their interests and showcase their academic expertise or leadership initiatives. Students also begin to familiarize themselves with the college application key elements, scheduling college visits to experience various campuses, and standardized testing. Reflection is imperative to further narrow their top career interests.
Application Development Stage: Grade 12
By the time students start applying to colleges in 12th grade, the College Counselor helps students reflect on how to match their passions and personalities to different types of colleges and the services they have to offer. They personally guide them through each step of the college application process and how to present their achievements in a compelling and storytelling fashion.
Meet Ashley Quire, Roycemore's College Counselor
Ashley Quire is a Chicago native and Evanston resident. She attended Marquette University where she received a B.A. in Psychology. Ashley's 16-year background in college admissions, non-profit college and career readiness, and internship campus recruiting — combined with being the parent of a high school student at Roycemore — has reinforced that this process is all about baby steps for both students and parents. The goal is never to overwhelm, but to support students and families at every stage with streamlined and detailed resources and advice.
A Look Back on Decision Day 2023-2025
