1. College Counseling
Dilemmas
OACAC
John Frahlich, Counselor - Hudson High School

2. Helpful resources can serve as a
foundation for your decisions
 NACAC SPGP
(Statement of Principles of Good Practices)
 ASCA Guidelines
 District Policy
 Legal Counsel
 Consultation

3. SPGP Core Values
 Professionalism
 Collaboration
 Trust
 Education
 Fairness and Equity
 Social Responsibility

4. Scenario Topics
1. Summer Applications 5. Disciplinary Infraction
2. Financial Need 6. Early Decision
3. Parent Pressure 7. Deposit
4. Mental Disability 8. Uninformed Student

5. 1. Summer Application
 In early August, prior to the start of the
school year, Paul, one of your rising
seniors, emails you and requests that you
help him process his application. He needs
a counselor letter and a transcript. He
indicates that the college requested that
he submit this information as early as
possible so he will not miss out on
opportunities.

6. NACAC SPGP (mandatory practices)
 II B 12 – “Postsecondary members agree
they will not establish any application
deadlines for first-year candidates for fall
admission prior to October 15 and will give
equal consideration to all applications
received by that date.”

7. 2. Financial Need
 Kristina, one of your juniors, has been a
successful student and has aspirations to
pursue the field of education. She would
be a first generation college student and
her parents would rather she just find a
job and not go into debt over college. She
is discouraged and believes that she will
not be able to afford college. She is Pell
eligible.

8. NACAC SPGP (interpretation)
 II 1 d – “All postsecondary members
agree that they will provide students,
families and secondary schools with the
most comprehensive information about
costs of attendance and opportunities for
all types of financial aid, and state the
specific relationship between and among
admission and financial aid practices and
policies.”

9. 3. Parent Pressure
 Samuel’s parents both graduated from a
prestigious college and they would for him
to follow suit. He is interested in some
well established business programs at
large public universities. His parents are
“encouraging” him to major in economics
at their alma mater. His academic
credentials are in the lower range of
students typically accepted to his parents’
college. He is torn and seeks your support.

10. NACAC SPGP (best practices)
 II B 5 - “Counseling members should urge
students to understand and discharge
their responsibilities in the admission
process in a timely manner.”
 II B 7 – “Counseling members should
encourage students to be the sole authors
of their application and essays and
counsel against inappropriate assistance
on the parts of others.”

11. 4. Mental Disability
 James has an anxiety disorder, which at
times has been debilitating. Through
medication, therapy, and support at
school he has learned to cope with his
OCD. As James’ mental health improved,
so did his grades. He is reticient to share
this information with colleges through the
application process. He seeks your advice.

12. NACAC SPGP (Mandatory Practices)
 I A 4 – “Members agree that they will be
responsible for compliance with applicable
laws and regulations with respect to the
students’ rights to privacy.”

13. 5. Disciplinary Infraction
 Myra was suspended from school following
a disciplinary infraction tha occurred at a
school activity. She does not want to
share this information on her college
application that asks her to divulge any
disciplinary action. She asks you what she
should do.

14. NACAC SPGP
 III A 8 – “Counseling members should report an
significant change in a candidate’s academic status or
qualifications, including personal school conduct record
between the time of recommendation and graduation,
where permitted by applicable law” (best practices)
 III A 9 – “Counseling members should establish a written
policy on disclosure of disciplinary infractions in their
communications to colleges” (best practices)
 I A 4 - “Members agree that they will be responsible for
compliance with applicable laws and regulations with
respect to the students’ rights to privacy.” (mandatory
practices)

15. 6. Early Decision
 Brian is highly interested in three colleges.
one of which offers Early Decision. You
discussed binding agreement and ED with
Brian and his family. Brian ultimately
decides to apply ED but you later learn he
was compelled to do this by his parents to
help him “game” the system. Brian is
accepted to his top three schools and
informs you that he will not attend the ED
college.

16. NACAC SPGP (interpretation)
 Early Decision (ED) – “Is the application
process in which students make a
commitment to a first-choice institution
where, if admitted, they definitely will
enroll.”

17. 7. Deposit
 Whitney cannot decide between two
colleges that have offered her admission.
May 1st is looming and her deposit is due.
Whitney informs you that she is going to
send a deposit to both institutions and
asks if there are any problems with this
decision.

18. NACAC SPGP (best practices)
 III A 14 – “Counseling members should
counsel students not to submit more than
one admission deposit, which indicates
their intent to enroll in more than one
institution.”

19. 8. Uninformed Student
 Randy has weak curriculum, poor grades,
and low test scores. He asks you to “sign
him up for college”. He also wants some
scholarships to help pay for school.

20. NACAC SPGP (best practices)
 III A 1 - “Counseling members should
provide a program of counseling that
introduces a broad range of postsecondary
opportunities to students.”

21. Other Issues…
 Change in classes reporting to colleges
 Cheating on the SAT/ACT
 Parents writing student essays

22. When in doubt…
CONSULT !!!!!