With college applications wrapping up and final decisions on the horizon, the halls are buzzing with frantic seniors who have the weight of their future resting on them. On the simple journey to class, students pass their potential destinies through their peer’s apparel, promoting institutions like the University of Georgia and Georgia Institute of Technology, leaving them wondering, which will best suit them. This answer lies within room 8141: North Atlanta’s renowned College & Career Center (CCC).
At the heart of the CCC is College & Career Coordinator, Jennifer Anderson. Anderson works with 9th-11th grade students, focusing on preparing them for the future and familiarizing them with the college application process. In addition to meeting with students, Anderson communicates with the grade level counselors to determine what resources students need and what will be the most beneficial for them. The majority of her time is spent coordinating workshops and events to help students throughout their college readiness journeys and advertising the CCC around the school. “Our main initiative is to ensure that by the time they are seniors, students will be on track to achieving their future post-secondary goals,” said Anderson.
Working alongside Anderson are senior advisors India Jeffries and Christian Vergara. Both Advisors are mentors through a Near-Peer Program, requiring them to have graduated high school no more than five years ago, which gives them the advantage of a fresh perspective on post-secondary life. Advisors meet with every senior once a semester to discuss a broad range of matters like college eligibility, majors, constructing applications, registering for exams, financial assistance, and more. “Being a recent graduate makes being an advisor really enjoyable,” said Jeffries. “I can relate to the students and give them the perspective of a college student.”
Students often become so attached to the individual counseling within the center that they fail to take advantage of its myriad of additional resources. On just the CCC website alone, students can sign up for college representative visits and access information regarding college-bound testing, financial aid, scholarships, and academic planning. Most recently, the team has partnered with Naviance, a comprehensive software designed for college planning and career assessment. Accessed through MyBackpack, Naviance allows students to search for scholarships, careers, colleges and receive personalized feedback on the best options for them. “Naviance was super helpful when it came time to apply to schools,” said senior Brooks Allen. “I was able to get a feel for colleges without needing to see them in person.”
North Atlanta’s College & Career Center is one of the many benefits that sets them apart from other schools. Offering a unique and broad range of resources, the center gives underclassmen an advantage in preparing for college and seniors the opportunity to have one-on-one assistance to simplify the college application process.
