College Counseling
Our College Counseling Philosophy at Heritage
Kalen Brandenburg, M.S.
College Counselor and Upper School Academic Coordinator
When I joined Heritage, my goal was clear: to bring the personalized approach of independent college counseling into the heart of our school community. I want every student, regardless of their background or aspirations, to have access to the same level of guidance, resources, and individualized support that private counselors provide, but with the added benefit of a consistent presence throughout their academic journey.
At Heritage, college counseling is not a one-size-fits-all process. Each student is unique, with their own ambitions, talents, and timelines. My role is to help them craft a thoughtful, strategic, and personalized path to post-secondary success.
Follow our College Counseling Office on Instagram for admissions tips and to see where our Hawks are headed next!
The College Planning Process
Our Process:
We lay the foundation early, beginning in the spring of 8th grade with exploratory discussions around academic interests and long-term planning. From there, the journey unfolds:
- Freshman Year: Students focus on goal setting, building strong study habits, and mapping out their academic trajectory.
- Sophomore Year: We dive deeper into aptitude and interest assessments, while introducing a broad overview of the college landscape.
- Junior Year: The college process comes into sharper focus. Students participate in our Business and Computer Readiness course, attend the College Tour Interim Trip, and experience Junior College Bound Day. Throughout these experiences, we offer college tours, college application preparation, standardized testing strategies and exam administration, and college search and selection.
- Senior Year: Preparation begins in the summer with three targeted workshops and open College Counseling hours to assist with college applications. Throughout the year, students receive ongoing support with essays, applications, interviews, financial aid, scholarships, and final college decisions.
No matter where your student is headed, they won’t navigate it alone. At Heritage, we are committed to walking beside them every step of the way.
