College Counseling

A: From course selection to helping athletes in the recruitment process to brainstorming essay topics to emotional support during what can be an overwhelming process, we walk side by side with our students through every step.

A: Students and families with questions about the college search and application process are encouraged to consult both our Pre-College and College Resource Boards in ArgoNet. You are also welcome to reach out to the team to see if it might make sense for you to schedule a  phone call or meeting to address any individual concerns you may have; we have staff members who specialize in supporting underclassmen, and by the spring of sophomore year, students should also expect to be assigned to an individual member of the team with whom they will be working most closely throughout the process.

A: Both programs require submitting applications in mid-October or early November. Early Decision is a binding commitment which requires students and parents (and College Counselor) to sign an agreement that the student WILL attend the college if admitted. Many colleges and universities Early Action allows an applicant to apply early 

A: While most of our students will sit for an SAT or ACT in Spring of Junior year, there are situations in which taking a standardized exam in the fall of juniors year is appropriate. For example, for our student-athletes who play club sports, there are times when working on test-prep the summer before junior year is best. Since students should be prioritizing “test prep” for 2-4 months prior to the exam, timing should be considered when choosing the first test date. 

A: Because most colleges will allow for a “super-score” (taking the highest section of different test dates and combining them), we typically see students take the exam two or three times over the course of their high school career. Research shows that students taking it more than three times do not typically see a significant increase in score.

A:  Many college and universities are adding testing back to their requirements after being test-optional during and after the COVID pandemic.  At the same time, there are a significant number of schools who have always been testing-optional and many who will remain testing-optional. Please refer to www.fairtest.org for more details.

A: Students can approach the summer planning process with an exploratory mindset; any activity can be worthwhile if it helps a student establish a clearer sense of their strengths and interests. There is no inherent advantage to one program or commitment over another, although colleges and universities do tend to pay attention to instances in which a student has participated in a program that was selective in nature, e.g. NJ Governor’s School, Simons Summer Research, Telluride Summer Seminars, etc. Please see our Pre-College Counseling resource board for lots of good information about summer options.

A: Our goal is for students to seek out activities outside of the classroom that spark curiosity and interest.  Students should work to step outside their comfort zone during 9th and 10th grade to join clubs, teams, art, music and drama activities to develop an expanded understanding of themselves.

The College Counseling office at Rutgers Prep is committed to thoughtfully guiding students to institutions where they will thrive—both inside and outside of the classroom. They are professional, kind, and tremendously helpful partners in this very important work.
Senior Associate Director of Admissions,
University of Chicago

The Undergraduate Admissions Team at Rutgers – New Brunswick really values our relationship with the counseling staff at Rutgers Prep, who are dedicated to ensuring that all of their students find the best university for them. They have a thorough understanding of each student’s uniqueness and are committed to guiding students through the admissions process. We rely on them often as we seek to evaluate Rutgers Prep applications and are so appreciative of their collaboration.
Associate Director of Admissions,
Rutgers University

The students of Rutgers Prep are engaged and prepared. Emphasis on the engagement part as they ask thoughtful questions that consider where they have been, where they are, and where they want to be. It is this engagement that ultimately turns into strong applications to the places that resonate with them, like Stevens Institute of Technology and other amazing institutions.
Director of Undergraduate of Admissions,
Stevens Institute of Technology

In my 17 year experience in an admissions office at a Big 10 University (Penn State University),  I've been impressed with my experience working with the college counseling office at Rutgers Prep. The entire staff is helpful, communicative and responsive.  They are also some of the nicest professional colleagues I've come across in the field of college counseling.
Enrollment Services Manager - NY City Metropolitan Area,
Penn State