The College Counselor is responsible for the college search and application process. Unlike many other schools, our college counselor dedicates 100% of her time to assist our students in finding and affording the colleges of their choice.

The college counseling process begins in the ninth grade with discussions about course selections and general information about the college search process. Our school has access to an interest inventory program, which can be given at any grade level, and is available upon request. Our registrar and our college counselor work with students and parents to insure that students are scheduled for the required courses each year.

In the tenth grade students prepare for and take the PLAN (the pre-ACT exam). The results of this test are returned to the students, along with the testing booklet, to help both teachers and students evaluate the strengths and weaknesses of their mastery of tested subjects.

The Counselor works with the local public high schools to provide an opportunity for Aiken Prep students to take Advanced Placement Exams, as appropriate, during the junior and senior years.

In the eleventh grade students are encouraged to choose five possible colleges and then to visit as many of them as possible throughout the spring and summer.
APS requires all students to take the PSAT (Preliminary Scholastic Aptitude Test) and the SAT or ACT in the 11th grade. The PSAT results determine National Merit Scholarship Finalists, and the junior year SAT or ACT results, often the best scores earned by students, may be used for early decision college application the following year.

In the twelfth grade students begin the college application process by working with the college counselor to complete forms, to seek teacher recommendations, and to take the appropriate college entrance tests for the last time. Seniors are also encouraged to apply for scholarships, to work with the government financial aid tools, and to finalize their college choices.

The college counselor works closely with students and parents during the senior year to insure that every step in the application process is completed well and in a timely manner. The college counselor also works with the college admission representatives to guarantee that colleges have received all the necessary documentation from both students and from the school by appropriate deadlines.

We are proud of the college acceptance record of our students.