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Graduation Ceremony

January College Success Newsletter

Happy 2026!

 

This month, we’re shining a light on a “behind-the-scenes” part of college admissions most families never see: the School Profile, the document colleges use to understand your student’s transcript in the context of what their high school actually offers. We’ll also spotlight Film & Media (it’s so much broader than just “making movies”), share a few timely ways to help your teen build real independence before college, and explain why registering with a college disability services office early can make the transition to campus support much smoother.

 

Take a look at what’s inside—and as always:

We're here to support you every step of the way!

Topic of the Month
The School Profile

When families think about college applications, they focus on essays, test scores, activities, and transcripts. But there's another document that plays a major role in how colleges understand a student's accomplishments, and most students never even see it.

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It's called the School Profile, and it accompanies every transcript your high school sends to colleges. This one to two-page document provides an overview of your high school and is created and updated each year by the counseling office. Its purpose is simple: to give admissions officers a clear understanding of the high school environment from which a student comes.

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Colleges don't evaluate applicants in isolation. They evaluate them in the context of their high school, and the School Profile explains what that context is. Think of it as a lens through which colleges view the transcript. Without it, admissions officers would have no way to know whether a high school offers 20 AP classes or none, whether a particular GPA is considered excellent, or whether a senior class of 60 has different leadership opportunities compared to a class of 600.

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Most School Profiles include the same core information. They describe basic school details such as enrollment numbers, student-to-teacher ratio, and school type. They outline the curriculum and academic programs available, including honors, AP, IB, or dual enrollment offerings, and any limitations on access to these courses. They explain the grading scale and GPA policies, including whether GPAs are weighted and how class ranking works. They list graduation requirements so colleges understand what courses students must take. Many also include information about the school community, available opportunities like clubs or internships, and where recent graduates have enrolled in college.

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Colleges rely heavily on this document. A student who takes two AP classes at a school that offers four is evaluated differently from a student who takes two at a school that offers twenty. The profile shows what "rigorous" means in that specific environment. It helps admissions officers determine whether a particular GPA places a student in the top 10% or is merely average. It reveals whether leadership roles are competitive or limited, and whether certain activities even exist at the school.

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Most importantly, the School Profile helps level the playing field. Two students from completely different backgrounds should not be judged as though they had identical opportunities. The profile ensures colleges evaluate students on what they did with the resources available to them, not on what their high school did or didn't provide.

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Students don't submit or interact with the School Profile at all. Counselors send it automatically alongside transcripts. If you’re curious, you can often find your school’s profile by searching your high school’s name along with “school profile.” Colleges use this document to understand the academic landscape you’re learning in and to evaluate your choices within that context. What matters most is how you challenged yourself, given what your school offers, how you made the most of the environment you were in. Admissions officers are looking for students who have grown and pushed themselves within their capabilities.

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Major Spotlight
Film & Media

When most people hear "film major," they picture a student holding a camera or directing a scene. But today's film and media programs cover far more than that. Colleges now offer majors in creative producing, film and media studies, digital arts, screenwriting, entertainment marketing, and even the business side of Hollywood. If you're interested in storytelling, whether through movies, TV, animation, social media, or something new, there's likely a program designed for your version of creativity.

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One of the first things students learn when researching film programs is that no two schools define the major the same way. Some programs lean heavily toward theory and analysis, exploring how films shape culture, identity, and society. These are perfect for students who love dissecting what they watch and want to write, critique, or study media rather than produce it.

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Other colleges focus almost entirely on hands-on production. Students spend hours filming, editing, writing scripts, designing sound, or creating animation. These programs often require students to apply directly to a BFA track and begin creative work right away. Schools known for this immersive experience, such as USC, NYU, Chapman, Emerson, LMU, and DePaul, often expect students to collaborate in crews and build a meaningful body of work by graduation.

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Many film, production, and digital media programs require a creative portfolio in addition to the regular application. Depending on the school, this might include short videos, scripts, photography, storyboards, editing samples, or written reflections about why storytelling matters to you. Many of these programs also require students to write and submit additional essays after their original application is submitted.

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Even when portfolios are optional, submitting something creative often strengthens an application. Students who think they might want to major in film should start building work early through school projects, summer programs, or independent experiments shot on a phone. What matters most is not expensive equipment but curiosity, effort, and a willingness to take creative risks.

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There are also hybrid paths that combine creativity with business and strategy. Some programs teach students how to produce films, pitch ideas, manage budgets, build marketing campaigns, or help artists promote their work. Others lean into digital storytelling, giving students experience in podcasting, YouTube production, streaming platforms, and social media content creation.

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Because each college approaches film differently, students should think carefully about what part of the industry sparks excitement: creating stories, analyzing them, promoting them, or making sure they actually get made.

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Depending on the program, students might take classes in film history, cinematography, editing, screenwriting, documentary storytelling, producing and budgeting, animation, sound design, or entertainment law and marketing. Some programs ask students to rotate through different roles, while others encourage them to specialize. Many graduates use their storytelling, design, communication, and tech skills in advertising, business, nonprofits, education, and other fields.

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The entertainment world is competitive, but students who take advantage of internships, build portfolios, connect with mentors, and explore multiple aspects of media develop skills that transfer well beyond a film set.

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If you're thinking about studying film, figure out what part of the creative process excites you. Do you want to direct, produce, write scripts, edit, analyze films, market them, or create digital content? Once you know your goals, you'll be better prepared to find programs that match your style and help you grow as a storyteller.

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Career Paths for Film Majors

  • Producer or Director

  • Social media strategist

  • Development Assistant 

  • Editor

  • Line Producer 

  • Content Producer 

  • Talent manager

  • Independent Producer 

  • Film or media critic

  • Archivist or media librarian

  • Researcher or content analyst

  • Multimedia artist

  • Digital illustrator 

  • Screenwriter

  • Playwright

  • Podcast writer 

  • Entertainment marketer

  • Publicist or PR assistant

  • ⎻romotions manager

The Time is Now
Helping Your Child Succeed

In the midst of worrying about college admissions, it can be easy to forget that your child’s high school years aren’t just about getting into college. High school is also an important time for developing the life skills necessary to do well in college and into adulthood. Here are five ways parents can help their high schoolers prepare for success in college.

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Help your child choose the appropriate level of academic challenge. High school academics lay the foundation for academic success in college. However, this doesn’t mean that piling on a full slate of AP courses is right for every teen.  Encourage your child to make thoughtful course selections, taking into account both individual strengths and weaknesses, and a reasonable work-life balance. Also discuss how high school coursework aligns with what your student will be studying in college. For instance, strong quantitative skills are a requirement to do well in many college courses; taking math through senior year in high school can help make the transition to those courses go more smoothly.

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Cut the reins. It’s nice to be needed, but as your child nears the end of high school, your goal as a parent should be to be needed less. Gradually give your child more freedom to make her own decisions and manage their own schedule: for instance, making and attending a doctor's appointment alone, picking up a prescription from the pharmacy or dealing with a difficult coach. Sure, it’s likely that your child will make a few mistakes along the way, but it will be better to make those mistakes – and learn how to fix them – before going to college. 

Make reading a family affair. Remember reading story-books to your young child? That activity likely helped your child learn to read. Even with teens, reading together as a family is just as important. Few teens, of course, want to be tucked into bed with a story, but there are ways that you can help your child continue to develop the strong reading skills needed in college. Clip or email articles that might interest your child and suggest you discuss them. Ask questions about the books read in English class: What do you like about the book? What have you learned?  Better yet, get a copy of a few of the same books, read them yourself, and talk to your child about your thoughts and impressions of the books.  

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Travel. College introduces students to many new ideas, cultures, and ways of doing things. Travel is a great way to help your teen get comfortable with new environments and people. You don’t have to go all the way to Europe on a fancy trip for your child to reap the rewards. Even a quick trip to a new city an hour or two from home can help your child begin to see how to approach the larger world that awaits them in college. 

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Teach life skills. Academic success is important, but in order to live independently in college, your teen still needs to know how to do laundry, balance a checkbook, and make simple meals.   Make a list of all of the basic day-to-day tasks you do for your child today, and gradually teach your child how to do each one on the list. Along with practical skills, teens should also work on the communication skills that are essential when living with a roommate. Coping with their emotions and interpersonal skills are also important as they venture into their new environment. Don’t wait until the summer before college to get started. The sooner your child is able to confidently handle these tasks, the easier the transition to college will be.

Support Corner
Why Registering with Disability Services in College Matters

Did you know that only around one-third of college students with disabilities take advantage of the support offered by their college's disability services office? This means that many students who could benefit from accommodations might not be getting the help they need.

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By law, U.S. colleges and universities are required to provide reasonable accommodations to ensure education is accessible for students with disabilities. These accommodations are tailored to each student's specific needs and can include extended test time, note-taking assistance, priority registration, access to assistive technology, and more.

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Having access to these supports can make a significant difference in a student's success in college. However, in order to receive them, students must register with the disability services office and request these accommodations.

Why should students register with disability services?

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There are a few reasons why students should register with disability services, even if they don't think they need accommodations right away.

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  • Students may change their mind. It's quite common for students to underestimate their needs at the beginning of college. They might think they can handle everything on their own, but as the workload increases, they may realize that a little extra help can go a long way.

  • Using approved accommodations is optional: If a student is approved for extended test time, for example, they aren't obligated to use it every time. However, if they don't have the accommodation in place, they won't have the option to use it if they need it.

  • College is different from high school. Unlike high school, where teachers and administrators are more attuned to students' needs, in college, students are more responsible for advocating for themselves. This means being proactive about registering for accommodations and communicating their needs to professors.

  • Privacy is a priority: Students shouldn't worry about being labeled or having their disability disclosed to others. Only those who need to know about the accommodations, such as professors, will be informed, and they do not have the right to know a student’s specific disability.

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When should students register with disability services?

The best time to register with disability services is as early as possible, as early as right after submitting the deposit and enrolling in the college.This allows the office ample time to process the request and ensure everything is in place before the semester starts. Of course, a student can still register at any time during their college education. Just know that accommodations are not retroactive and will only be available after being approved. The colleges need processing time, so registering for extra time on an exam the week before it is scheduled is not likely to be approved and processed in time. 

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What can parents do to help?

Parents can play a supportive role in helping their student register with disability services. Here are a few things parents can do:

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  • Encourage early registration: Emphasize the importance of registering as soon as possible.

  • Assist with documentation: Help your student gather any necessary documents, such as a letter from a doctor or therapist, or a copy of their Individualized Education Plan (IEP) or 504 plan.

  • Offer encouragement and support: Registering with disability services can be a daunting task, so be there to offer your student reassurance and assistance.

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College can be a demanding time for all students, but it can be especially challenging for those with disabilities. By registering with disability services and accessing the accommodations they need, students can set themselves up for success. Remember, you're not alone in this journey – your college's disability services office is there to help pave the way for your student's academic achievements.

 

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