20 Questions to Ask Your School Counselor

Here are some basic questions for you if you’re not sure what to ask your school counselor:

1. What courses do I need to take to be ready for college?
2. How should I plan my schedule so I'll complete my courses?
3. Which elective courses do you recommend?
4. Which AP courses should I consider taking?
5. When is the PSAT/NMSQT going to be given?
6. How should I study for the SAT? Is it given at this high school, or do I need to go somewhere nearby?
7. Have you scheduled any college planning sessions?
8. Do you have college handbooks or other guides I can browse, borrow, or read online?
9. What activities can I do at home and over the summer to get ready for college?
10. What grade point averages do different colleges require?
11. Are there any college fairs at our school or nearby?
12. What colleges do other students from our school go to?
13. What are the requirements or standards for the honor society?
14. Can you put me in touch with recent graduates who are going to colleges on my wish list?
15. Do you have any information to help me start exploring careers?
16. If my colleges need a recommendation from you, what information can I give you so the recommendation can be more personal?
17. Are there any special scholarships or awards I should know about now to work toward?
18. May I see my transcript now to check if everything is as I think it should be?
19. What forms do I use to apply for financial aid? Where can I find the forms online?
20. How does our school compare to others regarding test scores and reputation?

Reality Check

Your school counselor may be the most accessible person on the planet. On the other hand, they may be juggling a thousand students and barely know your name. For this reason, it’s important to remember that the person who has the biggest stake in your academics is you. It's up to you to stay on top of opportunities and deadlines so you can take control of your future.