Programs

College Guidance

“I am deeply grateful for my Golda Och education. Golda Och gave me a profound and unconditional love and appreciation for Israel, and strengthened my Jewish identity. It also instilled in me the importance of community and gave me the opportunity to develop friendships that I know will last throughout my lifetime.”
—Jessica Antiles '15

Watch to head what GOA alumni are saying about our College Guidance program

The Office of College Counseling provides comprehensive college services to students and their parents beginning in 9th grade and continuing through the senior year. Since planning for college begins well before the application process, the Director of College Counseling offers High School families guidelines for course, testing and activities selection. Several programs take place throughout High School. The following list highlights some of these offerings.
  1. The director meets with the entire 9th grade to conduct an interactive program that introduces them to the world of college admissions. 
  2. A college planning program for sophomores is offered to all 10th grade families in the spring of their sophomore year.  
  3. Eleventh grade students and their parents attend an evening program that offers a step-by-step description of the college selection process. 
  4. A financial aid program takes place in the fall, where experts in the field of financial aid guide families in ways to pay for college.
  5. Throughout the academic year, a College and High School Guidance Forum is offered to parents during the school day. Each forum begins with a short presentation on a specific theme related to applying to college and making the most of their child’s high school experience. A Q&A session follows.
During the junior year, individual meetings between the director and each student and his or her parents takes place. The director works with each family to develop an appropriate college selection list. Following those meetings, the director writes a college recommendation letter for each rising senior and ensures that each student’s academic transcript is complete and correct before it is sent out. Also during the junior year, the director conducts a college essay workshop.
During the fall of the senior year, the director conducts a college-prep class to help seniors complete their applications, write essays, develop resumes, practice interviews, submit test scores, and more. One-on-one meetings with seniors also occur throughout the fall to assist them with different components of their college applications.
In addition to providing personal attention to students and parents, the director hosts a college evening in the spring for 10th and 11th grade families. Representatives from different colleges and universities join our families for the evening to talk about their schools and the admissions process. In addition, college representatives and families are divided into one of several admission committees where they review “sample” applications. Transcripts, rigor of courses, test scores, essays, recommendations, demonstrated interest, and other factors are discussed as each committee works to reach a decision. The director also maintains strong relationships with admissions representatives from many colleges, who visit with students throughout the fall.
 
We strive to help our students make a successful transition to their post-High School life.
—Dr. Denise Kanrich

Parent Resources

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  • Photo of Denise Kanrich

    Dr. Denise Kanrich 

    Director of College Counseling
"The close community and small class sizes [at GOA] gave me the confidence to speak my mind within the classroom and develop long lasting and personal relationships with the teachers as well. The school really encouraged teacher-student accessibility and thus enabled me as a college student to engage in conversation with my professors."
—Leah Schwartz ’13

Wilf Lower School Campus

Eric F. Ross Upper School Campus

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