FAQ’s
College PlanningACT/ SAT Prep
College Planning | ACT/SAT Prep
College Planning Frequently Asked Questions
Membership in IECA not only provides extensive opportunities for continuing counselor education, it also requires its members to maintain the highest standard of professional practices and ethics. The IECA philosophy, which focuses on helping students find their “best fit” college, aligns closely with the Milestone mission.
Our flexible pricing model is part of what makes Milestone unique. We realize that every student has different needs. For those families who want the full array of college advising services, we are happy to assist with all your needs, and you will be billed on an hourly basis. This allows you to select some (or all) of our services without having to commit to large up-front fees.
Some students begin meeting with Milestone advisors as early as eighth grade to begin the planning process. Other students meet with an advisor at different points during high school, depending on their unique needs. We offer a range of services which include course selection, resume building, summer activity recommendations, standardized test preparation, college essay writing support, application assistance and career counseling. As such, students from eighth grade to post-college graduation can benefit from meeting with Milestone advisors to address individual needs.
Milestone advisors do not replace high school guidance counselors; we work cooperatively to augment the services that in-school counselors provide. However, guidance counselors have significant responsibilities and are tasked with helping many students. According to an article published in the New York Times, the average counselor to student ratio in public high schools across the country is approximately 500:1.
Milestone advisors are able to get to know students and develop an individualized college plan that meets the needs of the student and the family as a whole. In addition, Milestone advisors visit college campuses, attend conferences and workshops, and participate in ongoing continuing education to provide the highest level of expertise and service, enabling us to help our students meet their unique academic and personal goals.
SAT/ACT Frequently Asked Questions
Absolutely! While some schools may offer the option for students to submit test scores, there are many that require scores as part of their admissions and/or scholarship evaluations. Additionally, all public universities in Florida and Bright Futures Scholarship qualification currently require either an SAT or ACT score.
Through a combination of either individual or small group tutoring and ongoing timed practice testing, Milestone tutors help students become familiar with the tests, develop necessary content knowledge, and learn important standardized testing strategies to maximize test performance. Milestone tutors and advisors also work with students to build confidence, manage test anxiety (when necessary) and set realistic goals, all of which are designed to help students find success on the ACT/SAT and ultimately, in a college classroom.
Individual college policies vary widely regarding how the writing scores for the ACT and SAT are used, but, in general, colleges will use the writing score as a factor in the admissions decision, as part of the criteria for class placement, and/or as a standard of comparison for the college essay.
The writing portion of the test is optional when it comes to taking the test, but it is not optional for every college. Students should research the admission requirements for all schools to which they are interested in applying or speak to a Milestone advisor. If a student is unsure where he/she will be applying, then we recommend taking the writing portion of the test just in case.
Register for the ACT: http://www.act.org/ Register for the SAT: https://www.collegeboard.org/
Testing timelines can vary, but generally, most students test sometime during their junior year of high school. Factors such as a student’s math skill level, PSAT score, athletic commitments and extracurricular involvements can all influence the time table. It is best to meet with a college advisor early in the second semester of your student’s sophomore year in order to develop a plan that will allow for adequate preparation and maximize your student’s individual potential.
Since most colleges do not prefer one test over the other, we recommend that students take the test with which they are most comfortable. Using a student’s previous standardized testing history coupled with diagnostic testing administered in our office, our advisors can recommend the appropriate test(s).
Milestone’s Career Discovery Process – FAQs
We recognize and appreciate that a student’s discovery process is important and that considering a student’s interests is a critical part of that process. When students meet with a Milestone College Advisor, they evaluate interests, aptitudes, and preferences as they consider potential options that support long-term career goals and aspirations.
YouScience works to evaluate and disclose a student’s intrinsic aptitudes. Interestingly, research shows that by the age of 15, most people’s aptitudes are established. Yet, sometimes it is challenging to recognize exactly where our competencies lie. Through scientific algorithms, the YouScience assessment identifies a student’s unique aptitudes and interests and links those to potential careers.
Each student completes a 90-minute, online assessment, developed by a company called YouScience. The assessment can be completed all at once or over the course of several days. A Milestone College Advisor reviews the results of the assessment within 48 hours and a meeting is scheduled with the student and his/her parents to discuss the report. A follow-up meeting is also scheduled to further explore potential career opportunities and relevant college majors.
Some students know exactly what career they want to pursue, yet, many students do not. Moreover, many students change majors at least once while in college. While our college application process works to find “best fit” schools, Milestone’s Career Discovery Process works to identify “best fit” careers. Ultimately, we hope to help students find a career path – and a college major – that is both satisfying and purposeful.
Milestone College Prep offers an exciting service called Milestone’s Career Discovery Process . Our process uses a scientific methodology combined with college advising to approach the student’s self-discovery process. By identifying natural aptitudes and discussing personal interests, we can target potential careers that align with a student’s innate abilities. Furthermore, we can help select a college major that prepares the student for that field.
