College Counseling

Forging the Path to Your Next Chapter

At Canterbury, you not only prepare for the academic rigors of college, but you are supported in the college admission process from the moment you set foot on campus.

A Partnership with You

College Counseling at Canterbury is a four-year program, and like everything we do, is a highly individualized experience. Our team of skilled academic and college counselors—together with input from teachers, coaches, and advisors—takes a supportive and comprehensive approach with each student, helping them discover passions, hone interests, set realistic goals, and ultimately ensure that their very best shines through in their college applications.

3 students working on their laptop with a college counselor.

A Four-Year Process

YEAR 1 | Laying the Groundwork

Your freshman year serves as the cornerstone for your personal and academic growth. During these early, stage-appropriate conversations with your advisor and Academic Counselors, you will gain insight into:

The wide array of resources at your disposal
Diverse academic options that Canterbury offers
The significance of building an academic transcript that demonstrates steady growth and success
The importance of developing effective study habits right from the start
The right balance between studies, social time, and extracurriculars
The value of feeding your curiosity through clubs, athletics, arts, or service

Our aim is to equip you with the tools and knowledge you need to fully leverage the Canterbury experience, setting you on a path toward academic and personal fulfillment.

YEAR 2 | Building Upon the Foundation

In the spring of your sophomore year, you'll be introduced to the College Counseling team at Canterbury. Counselors will conduct sessions covering timely topics like standardized tests, course selection, and summer planning for activities that align with your strengths and interests.

You'll take the PSAT in October as an introduction to the test you'll retake during your junior year. Additionally, a practice ACT is administered in the spring term to prepare you further.
You'll also have the opportunity to attend our on-campus college fair, featuring representation from over 100 colleges.

YEAR 3 | Focusing Your Approach

In your junior year, your path toward college comes into sharper focus. In January, you'll meet individually with your College Counselor to align your educational aspirations with suitable higher education institutions. You'll also begin to meet weekly in College Workgroup, a scheduled class embedded into your academic schedule.

In College Workgroup, you will:

Identify academic interests, majors/degrees, and potential careers
Research and develop a balanced list of right-fit colleges
Prepare for campus tours and interviews
Schedule and prepare for standardized tests (e.g., SAT, ACT)
Create an activities résumé
Request letters of recommendation from faculty

The year's programming includes two on-campus college fairs with over 100 colleges, and guest speakers from college admissions offices.

Throughout this process, we encourage you to view college selection as an opportunity for personal and academic growth, while making the most of your Canterbury experience.

YEAR 4 | Presenting Your Best Self

Our comprehensive college preparation process culminates in the pivotal moment of submitting your college applications. Through individualized counseling, weekly college workgroups, and real-world insights, we ensure that you approach this milestone with confidence, clarity, and a sense of empowerment—the necessary ingredients in letting your best self shine through in your application.

In your senior year, you continue to meet weekly in College Workgroup as well as one-on-one consultations with your College Counselor:

To collaborate closely with you on finalizing your list of college applications
To write and refine essays and personal statements
To manage deadlines
To guide you through the intricacies of the application and financial aid procedures, as needed
To ready you for college interviews
To help you manage the waitlist situation, if it arises
To deepen the understanding between you and your counselor for more personalized and nuanced decision-making

Other senior-year programming includes:

A fall on-campus college fair featuring over 100 colleges, open to both juniors and seniors
Guest presentations from college admission officers during Family Weekend
Opportunities for college visits and re-visits to make well-informed decisions

The College Counseling team provided me with tremendous support in formulating my plan of action for college applications. With their help, I achieved my goal of getting into one of my top universities.

Stephen ’22
Carnegie Mellon University

Make Connections

There are several on-campus opportunities for you to connect with leading colleges:

FALL COLLEGE FAIR

Students and their families have the opportunity to meet with representatives from 100+ colleges that come to Canterbury.

College Day

Workshops led by college Admission Officers address such topics as financing a college education, essay writing, and entrance criteria.

College Night

College admissions representatives set up booths in the Steers Center and meet with our students individually.

on-campus visits

College admission officers frequently visit campus to conduct individual interviews, offering personalized opportunities to showcase your strengths and aspirations.

For Parents and Guardians

At Canterbury, our College Counseling Office provides a comprehensive support network for parents and guardians throughout your college search journey.

Regular Communication

The College Counseling Office maintains an open line of communication with both students and parents, sending out important updates and guidance via email. If you're in your junior or senior year, your parents can anticipate monthly email updates during the academic term.

Family Weekend Sessions

During Canterbury's Family Weekend in the fall, the College Counseling Office holds presentations tailored to parents of students at every grade level. These sessions feature insights from both Canterbury college counselors and experts in college admissions.

One-on-One Consultations

Parents and guardians are invited to engage in individual discussions with your designated college counselor at any point in your college search process. If you haven't been paired with a counselor yet, our team is readily available to answer any queries—simply reach out to our main office.

For College Admission Representatives

If you would like to set up a fall visit to Canterbury School or are interested in participating in a college fair, please contact:

Mary Savino
College Counseling Assistant

By phone: 860-210-3847
By email: msavino@cbury.org

2023-24 School Profile

Finding Just the Right Fit

We are proud of our strong record for placing Canterbury graduates in outstanding colleges and universities. Our College Counseling staff makes periodic visits to college campuses on behalf of Canterbury students and works closely with Saints coaches to find the best opportunities for our student-athletes. In the last five years, at least one-third of the School’s graduating class has gone on to play Division I, II, and III college athletics.

View our Matriculation