The Darien High School Guidance Department strives to provide optimal educational planning through individually guided course selection, personal assistance with the college selection process, student training in study skills, and awareness of summer enrichment programs, scholarships, and financial aid opportunities while providing parents and teachers with information to help in our joint endeavors of assisting the development of the individual student

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COLLEGE COUNSELING AT DHS

This Website along the College Planning Guide is provided to help you and your parents with your exploration.  Your counselor will help clarify and supplement this information, and will be available to meet with you to help formulate personal plans.  We acknowledge that college is not the planned next-step for all Darien High School students; nevertheless, we encourage all students to complete the process during their senior year.  

The process kicks off with a special evening meeting of the students of the junior class (parents are strongly also invited to attend).  The program, usually scheduled in December, addresses all aspects of the college application process at Darien High School, including “Understanding your PSAT Score,” an overview of DHS Guidance policies and procedures for applying to college, and an introduction to Naviance.

Beginning in February of the junior year, each student will schedule an individual family conference regarding the college process. These conferences will last about one class period.

The conference will include the following:

  1. Transcript and graduation requirements review
  2. A look at PSAT results and discussion of SAT preparation
  3. Determination of test dates for SAT I and SAT II if appropriate
  4. Discussion of the “Parent Packet” and “Junior Packet” responses

In order to have a productive meeting, we require each student to complete the “Junior Packet” and each parent complete the “Parent Packet”  These forms must be returned to the student’s counselor no less than 5 school days prior to the scheduled meeting.  THE COUNSELOR WILL NOT MEET UNLESS BOTH PACKETS ARE TURNED IN FIVE SCHOOL DAYS IN ADVANCE.  The forms will be sent to all juniors in December, and are available online through the DHS Guidance website.

Once the forms have been completed and submitted, the student must come to the guidance office to schedule the meeting during his/her free period.  All conferences will be held during normal school hours beginning no sooner than February 1st.   It is expected that all conferences will be concluded by mid-April.  Parents should attend these conferences.

Your counselor will work with you throughout the process.  Though there is only one formal family meeting, you should feel free to schedule less formal meetings with him/her at any time.