College and Career Planning
The College Counseling Program at Hill Top Preparatory School is designed to help students navigate their post-secondary options. Students and families work together with the college counselor to find the appropriate fit for each student as they leave Hill Top. Students explore two- and four-year schools, as well as vocational and non-traditional options.
In 10th grade, students will take the PSATs and are encouraged to attend the annual College Fair for Students with Learning Differences (held the first Wednesday of each November). In the spring, students will complete preliminary interest inventories and are encouraged to meet with the college counselor to talk about their interests.
In 11th grade, after the college fair, students begin meeting with the college counselor to create a more concrete plan for the next year. Through their Junior Seminar class and in conjunction with the counseling department, students will complete a more formal personality and interest inventory. Students use the results of this tools to choose a topic for a career paper. This assignment is designed to help students explore areas of interest and to see what educational and career options are available to them. Students participate in at least one college visit during the spring semester.
During senior year, students meet regularly with the college counselor, either during metor or activity periods, to work on applications and to collect any additional documentation that is needed. Students will write and revise application essays as a part of their Senior Seminar class.
Information sessions for all parents are available throughout the year, covering topics ranging from accommodations for standardized tests to transitioning to college and independent living to speaking with recent graduates.
Recent graduates are invited back to Hill Top each January for an Alumni Lunch. This is an opportunity for recent alumni to catch up with each other and share their experiences with current juniors and seniors.
List of Colleges Visiting Hill Top:
Delaware County Community College
Montgomery County Community College
Lebanon Valley College
Seton Hill University
The College Living Experience
Landmark College
West Virginia Wesley College
Shippensburg University
Kutztown University
West Chester University
Penn State University Brandywine
Gwynedd-Mercy College
Harcum College
Centenary College
University of Scranton
Eastern University
Johnson and Wales University
A Message for Juniors and Seniors
You are about to take one of the major steps in your educational career – and, indeed, in your life – making the selection of a college. This is usually a much more formidable step for most students than going from elementary school to junior high, from junior high to senior high, or even from college to graduate school. Therefore, you should give this important process your serious attention, careful consideration, and best effort. While your parents, college counselors, and teachers will be involved in this process with you, you must be the one to do the bulk of the work – and the one to make the final decision.
Selecting the college or university best suited and most appropriate for you should be related to your interests, ability, attitudes, personality, and goals. You should not make your decision hastily or carelessly; you should make it only after thoughtful, thorough, sincere deliberation and careful planning. You should stretch yourself and aim for the best college you can achieve.
For additional information, please contact our college counselor:
Mrs. Gillespie
[email protected]
In 10th grade, students will take the PSATs and are encouraged to attend the annual College Fair for Students with Learning Differences (held the first Wednesday of each November). In the spring, students will complete preliminary interest inventories and are encouraged to meet with the college counselor to talk about their interests.
In 11th grade, after the college fair, students begin meeting with the college counselor to create a more concrete plan for the next year. Through their Junior Seminar class and in conjunction with the counseling department, students will complete a more formal personality and interest inventory. Students use the results of this tools to choose a topic for a career paper. This assignment is designed to help students explore areas of interest and to see what educational and career options are available to them. Students participate in at least one college visit during the spring semester.
During senior year, students meet regularly with the college counselor, either during metor or activity periods, to work on applications and to collect any additional documentation that is needed. Students will write and revise application essays as a part of their Senior Seminar class.
Information sessions for all parents are available throughout the year, covering topics ranging from accommodations for standardized tests to transitioning to college and independent living to speaking with recent graduates.
Recent graduates are invited back to Hill Top each January for an Alumni Lunch. This is an opportunity for recent alumni to catch up with each other and share their experiences with current juniors and seniors.
List of Colleges Visiting Hill Top:
Delaware County Community College
Montgomery County Community College
Lebanon Valley College
Seton Hill University
The College Living Experience
Landmark College
West Virginia Wesley College
Shippensburg University
Kutztown University
West Chester University
Penn State University Brandywine
Gwynedd-Mercy College
Harcum College
Centenary College
University of Scranton
Eastern University
Johnson and Wales University
A Message for Juniors and Seniors
You are about to take one of the major steps in your educational career – and, indeed, in your life – making the selection of a college. This is usually a much more formidable step for most students than going from elementary school to junior high, from junior high to senior high, or even from college to graduate school. Therefore, you should give this important process your serious attention, careful consideration, and best effort. While your parents, college counselors, and teachers will be involved in this process with you, you must be the one to do the bulk of the work – and the one to make the final decision.
Selecting the college or university best suited and most appropriate for you should be related to your interests, ability, attitudes, personality, and goals. You should not make your decision hastily or carelessly; you should make it only after thoughtful, thorough, sincere deliberation and careful planning. You should stretch yourself and aim for the best college you can achieve.
For additional information, please contact our college counselor:
Mrs. Gillespie
[email protected]