My daughter's guidance counselor met with her while she was in the 9th grade to encourage her to build up the non-academic side of her record, especially if she wanted to compete for admission to the elite colleges and universities. He told her that participation in varsity sports, leadership in extracurricular groups, achievements in the fine or performing arts, and community service would help her stand out among the thousands of other students who also have high grades and SAT scores. He routinely met with each of his advisees at least twice a year, beginning in the 9th grade, to discuss their course selections and future aspirations, in order to help them prepare well for the future. Getting to know each of his advisees over four years enabled him to write informed and informative letters of recommendation for each of them. Young people often think more about today than tomorrow, so these periodic meetings can be very useful for everyone involved.
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