Let’s Find Your Path– Together
Preparing students for life after Overlake with a robust 4-year plan.
Drawing on decades of experience as high school college counselors and selective college admission officers, we guide students and families through a personalized college process grounded in reflection, research, and self-discovery.
Starting in 9th grade, Overlake's College Counseling program focuses on academic planning and college preparation while encouraging students to explore their evolving interests and goals. Through individual counseling, family meetings, group programs, and campus visits, students learn about college options, testing, admission and financial aid practices, and resources for making informed decisions.
We help each student find colleges that align with their values, aspirations, and learning styles, knowing there's no single "right" college, but many great matches where our students will thrive.
You can rely on Overlake's College Counselors to help you find college opportunities and create pathways to reach students' educational goals. The college journey blooms when students, parents, counselors, and teachers communicate openly and collaborate throughout the college search and application process. This type of teamwork leads to successful transitions from Overlake to college and beyond.
9th Grade
In 9th grade, Overlake College Counselors help students transition successfully into Upper School. This includes building strong academic habits, learning to advocate for themselves, attending office hours, managing their time well, and developing solid executive functioning skills. Students are also encouraged to explore their interests through clubs, sports, arts, summer programs, and other hands-on experiences.
10th Grade
Students continue strengthening their academic skills in 10th grade, while exploring their talents and interests beyond the classroom. College Counseling encourages them to reflect on what matters to them personally, including their preferences and priorities, as these will guide their future plans. Students also begin exploring what they're looking for in a college, focusing on criteria like size, location, and programs rather than specific schools.
11th Grade
In 11th grade, students are taught to identify their key interests and priorities for the future post-Overlake. In our first individual meetings in January, Overlake College Counselors talk about the college and career experiences they're seeking, then identify schools that align with those goals.
12th Grade
In 12th grade, Overlake College Counselors guide students and families through the college admission and selection process, offering resources and support to help them make informed, confident decisions. Our primary goal is for each student to find the college or path that best fits their talents, interests, and priorities.
Individual College Planning Meetings with Overlake College Counselors start in January of 11th grade. Students will meet 1:1 again in May of junior year, and then regularly throughout fall and winter of senior year. These meetings help students and their families make informed decisions about classes, college search, applications, and where they’ll go next.
College Counseling Programs & Events bring our community together to make the college planning and transition to college process clearer and less overwhelming. We'll walk you through how to find good-fit schools and explain how selective college admission really works. Throughout the year, we offer workshops on topics like building college lists, preparing for tests, and making college affordable.
College Experience during Project Week is open to 10th and 11th graders. Each spring, students who join this Project Week experience visit a variety of colleges across the country to see what different campuses and programs have to offer. This trip also helps students build relevant life skills they'll need when they head to college on their own.
The Grads Return Program welcomes recent alumni back to Overlake to share real college experiences with current students. These grade-specific conversations help prepare students for the transition that awaits them after Overlake.
Overlake's College Link List connects current students directly with Overlake alumni to learn about their college experiences. You can find the Alumni Link List in your Scoir Drive and on the Overlake College Counseling Canvas page.
We're here to help you navigate standardized testing with clear guidance and practical support. Through partnerships with respected test prep agencies, we provide information sessions, practice exams for the PSAT, SAT, and ACT, and host official PSAT and SAT testing right here on campus for our juniors.
The Digital PSAT exam is offered every October on campus for all Overlake juniors. It's optional, but it's great practice for the SAT and serves as the qualifying test for the National Merit Scholarship program.
The SAT School Day is offered to all juniors each spring at Overlake. We encourage 11th graders to register individually through the College Board for additional testing dates in spring and summer if needed. If you're interested in taking the ACT instead, you can register directly on their website.
Extended Time testing is for students who need extra time accommodations for the PSAT, SAT, or ACT. Connect with our Learning Specialists to discuss documentation requirements, deadlines, and scheduling. We're here to make sure every student has the support they need for testing success.
Scoir is Overlake's college planning software platform. Every Upper School student and family can use it to explore colleges, research careers, connect with admission reps, and keep track of application materials—all in one place.
Our College Counseling team uses Scoir to share resources and send application materials directly to colleges. We're excited to offer this tool to make your college journey easier and more organized.
Haven't activated your Scoir account yet? Questions about getting started? Email Regina Quiban for help.
College Kickstart uses current admissions data from colleges and Overlake to help students build and refine their college lists, creating an overall clear plan for the application process.
