AMERICAN LEARNING SYSTEMS

JOB TITLE 

College Advisor

DIVISION/ DEPARTMENT 

Upper School College Advising

LOCATION 

Broward Campus

REPORTS TO 

Director of College Advising, High School Principal

EXEMPTION STATUS

Exempt

DATE 

Rev. October 2023

POSITION OVERVIEW 

The College Advisor’s main role is to support students during the college planning 

and placement process, provide a successful transition from high school to college,

and advise students concerning their academic plans and progress. 

PRIMARY DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES 

• Assist students in the development of an educational plan including choosing a program of study and/or clarifying educational goals.

  • Meet with each student and his/her parent(s) at least once during the junior year and at least once in the fall of the senior year.

  • Evaluate students’ abilities and interests through aptitude assessments, interviews, and individual planning

  • Help students navigate the college and career readiness software

  • Inform students and parents of available courses and pre-requisites in order to monitor the progression of their four-year plan

  • Create student schedules according to course recommendations and student requests; make schedule changes as needed

  • Communicate the importance of extra-curricular involvements such as sports, fine arts, clubs, and community service projects and opportunities

  • Communicate additional services and courses that will provide targeted support for gaining college admission including but not limited to SAT/ACT test prep courses, Journey to College, pre-professional courses and internships, and specialized courses for building portfolios of work in non-core areas such as fine arts, multimedia, etc.

  • Write recommendation letters for each senior

• Develop a college search and application timeline with each student including:

  • Goal-setting

  • Researching of college types, locations, and programs

  • Creating of a resume

  • Registering for standardized tests

  • Writing the college essay and supplemental essays that may be needed; review and provide feedback on all college essays

  • Acquiring letters of recommendation

  • Completing FAFSA and other financial forms including scholarship applications

  • Prioritizing and completing applications; review all applications prior to submission

• Maintain up-to-date knowledge about Amerian Heritage Schools’ programs and requirements, state requirements for graduation and Florida state scholarship programs including Bright Futures and NCAA

  • Meet quarterly with Curriculum Department to stay abreast of course changes and program features

  • Maintain up-to-date Bright Futures and NCAA information on the AHS Course Catalog

  • Meet weekly with Academic Advising team for cross-training and cross-department information sharing

  • Review & Monitor requirements for Pre-Professional programs, Academic Scholarship & Fine Arts Scholarship

• Work with Accommodations Coordinator to ensure students with special needs are given information about seeking approval for standardized test accommodations from the appropriate testing body upon initiation of an IEA (Individual Education Accommodations) and for new students with and IEA in place.

• Have an open line of communication with the Accommodations Coordinator to ensure accommodations are updated, are communicated to teachers, and are implemented in the classroom

• Conduct parent nights, events, classroom visits, and grade-specific assemblies following the AHS College Advising Curriculum including but not limited to:

  • Jump Start, College Financial Planning 101, CSS Profile/FAFSA Workshops, Intro to Athletics/NCAA, Junior Workshops

  • College App Labs/summer assistance

• Establish and maintain relationships with colleges

  • Meet with admissions representatives frequently; host college representatives on campus

  • Visit colleges through AHS and college-sponsored tours

  • Assist and attend AHS College Fairs

• Track and analyze data, especially percentages of students admitted to universities, types of universities, and scholarships awarded

• Monitor academic progress of students; analyze progress reports; determine eligibility and satisfactory progress toward graduation; identify current and potential needs or problem areas (e.g., study skills, tutoring) and refer students to appropriate resources for assistance; communicate findings to coaches and administrators.

  • Work with students to develop skills, such as organizational and time management abilities and effective study habits; refer students to Academic Coaching and/or tutoring as needed

  • Collaborate with teachers, administrators, and parents to help students succeed; work as a team to develop success plans for students, especially those at-risk or low-performing; communicate academic probations

  • Inform students about alternatives, limitations and possible consequences of academic decisions (e.g. adding, dropping and withdrawing from courses); Authorizes course withdrawals, adds, and drops as required.

• Maintain student files and records; document all pertinent student information; update student information system regarding changes to student status.

SECONDARY DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES 

• Refer social-emotional issues to the School Counselor according to the AHS Protocols

• Show support for the school by attending events and serving as a support as needed

• Maintain one’s own professional development, especially in regards to college advising

  • Attend NACAC/SACAC every other year

  • Stay abreast of updates regarding testing including information from College Board and ACT

  • Stay current with trends in college planning and advising

• Demonstrate growth-mindset by participating in AHS and outside Professional Development including conducting PD for other faculty as needed

QUALIFICATIONS/EDUCATION/EXPERIENCE 

• Bachelor’s degree, Master's degree or higher preferred, from an accredited institution with course work in the appropriate field 

• Demonstrated experience in college advising, planning, and/or admissions 

SKILLS & ABILITIES 

• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with students, staff, and the community

• Ability to maintain sensitivity and confidentiality 

• Effective interpersonal and communication skills (oral and written)

• Ability to adapt to and be a champion of change for the good of the organization

• Organizational skills including managing time effectively

• Ability to utilize various software and hardware including but not limited to College & Career Readiness programs, calendar and scheduling tools, word processing, etc. 

WORK ENVIRONMENT

• Office

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS

• Prolonged periods of sitting at a desk and working on a computer.

• Must be able to lift up to 15 pounds at times

• Stooping and/or kneeling

BENEFITS

• 100% free tuition for all employees’ eligible children *

• 50% discount for Summer Education for employees’ eligible children

• Free Summer Day Camp for employees’ eligible children while working over the summer.

• Free early care & after-care for employees’ eligible children while working

• Yearly cash bonuses 

• 401K with partial employer match after a year of employment

• Health, Dental, and Vision insurance 

• Supplemental Insurance plans available through Lincoln Financial 

• Pet Insurance options

• Short-term & Long-term Disability options

• Life Insurance at no cost to the employee

• Affordable Company housing when available

• Additional earnings available through Tutoring Department and Summer Education Programs

• Free Continuing Education available

• * This benefit is based on space availability and child acceptance to the school.

OTHER