NOSCA: National Office for
School Counselor Advocacy

with their program of study and their level of performance in course work and entrance testing. Encourage all students to broaden their social and cultural perspectives by actively considering all of their options, including traditional colleges, historically black colleges and universities (HBCUs), Hispanic-serving institutions, tribal colleges, and career and technical schools.

and prepare all documentation including recommendations, personal essays, work samples that meet higher education writing standards, and portfolio materials (art, music, etc.). Incorporate updated materials periodically.

join listservs and social media groups, and retrieve college, career and technical newsletters and other forms of information from institutions of interest.

using consistent messaging about college and career selection. Encourage all students to aim high. Eliminate practices that may perpetuate inequity in students’ goals.

such as writing personal statements, into the educational program. Assist teachers in writing effective recommendations that include students’ academic accomplishments and their assets in other areas, such as community leadership, employment skills, and family commitment and responsibility.

For example, coordinate on-campus visits for students interested in the same college or career or technical school and hold parent meetings to encourage student participation in district-wide career programs in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) and other areas.

to align college and career information in middle and high school so students’ planning is coherent and continuous.

of their role in assisting their children in college and career selection (see student interventions).

and to navigate the system so they can be advocates for their students in the exploration and selection process.

so their students will have supporting documents for college and career school applications.

to meet with representatives. Include representatives and alumni that mirror the student population.

that include class audits, overnight stays, admission simulations, information sessions with student support service departments, and application review conferences.

to assist parents and students in college and career exploration. Work with media including TV, radio, newspapers, magazines, bloggers and other online publications.