Preparing for College

Finding the right college requires a thoughtful approach. We believe God has uniquely gifted each student with their own talents, interests, and abilities.

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Applying to college is a critical point of personal transition. The counseling staff walks with students and families through the process, beginning in ninth grade and through senior year. We work to demystify the college admissions process, enabling students to become informed stakeholders invested in their future.

High School Profile

College Counseling Timeline

Parent and student programs give an overview and focus on the priorities and direction for the years ahead. High school students are assigned an individual college counselor in the fall of tenth grade. Ninth-grade students are welcome in the counseling office anytime and are encouraged to visit with any available counselor. Please open the panel boxes to view key events and milestones for each year during high school.

Freshmen

Naviance/The Family Connection - During the Freshman Bridge Seminar in the fall, students will register and begin to learn about this valuable resource used by the college counseling office.
Students and parents are encouraged to attend the National Christian College Fair on the Oaks Christian School campus each fall.
Freshmen take the PSAT 8/9 test (a pre-SAT test to build standardized test-taking skills and confidence).
Test result distribution of PSAT 8/9 in January.
Course Scheduling Seminar for parents and students regarding course selection for sophomore year.

Sophomores

The college counseling office will coordinate several College Explore Trips throughout the year and one college tour during winter or spring break.
Sophomores are encouraged to meet with a minimum of three college representatives who visit our campus during the fall. Parents are welcome to attend these meetings as well.
Students and parents are encouraged to attend the National Christian College Fair on the Oaks Christian School campus each fall.
Let’s Talk College is one of the premier events for sophomore year and features an outstanding guest speaker. This event is mandatory for sophomore students in October and highly recommended for parents.
All sophomore students will take the PSAT on a Wednesday in mid-October and will be strongly encouraged to take the pre-ACT on a Saturday soon after the PSAT.
Test result distribution of PSAT and pre-ACT will take place in January.
College counselors will meet individually with sophomore families in their spring semester to discuss current progress and plans for the future.

Juniors

Junior Parent Night kicks off the year with the college counseling team. We will outline the year ahead for you and your junior student.
The college counseling office will coordinate several College Explore Day Trips throughout the year and one college tour during winter or spring break.
Junior students are encouraged to meet with a minimum of three college representatives who visit our campus during the fall. Parents are welcome to attend these meetings as well.
All junior students will take the PSAT on a Wednesday in mid-October and a Mock-ACT soon after.
College Knowledge Night is a premiere event for junior students and parents in December. It is a mandatory event for junior students and is strongly recommended for parents. Participants will have the opportunity to attend several seminar sessions offered by college admissions representatives and local professionals on various college search and application topics.
Our goal is to meet with each junior student a minimum of three times before they leave for summer. One of these meetings will include the student's family.
All junior students and their parents are asked to complete a junior questionnaire that will assist their college counselor with preparing their college letter of recommendation.
During your junior meeting in early January, we will strategize an ACT or SAT prep plan.
Students must register (through either the College Board or ACT website) to take their ACT or SATs. You can talk with your college counselor about whether SAT subject tests are needed.
Los Angeles Renegade Case Study Event - Juniors and their parents should prioritize this opportunity to participate in a Mock Admissions Committee and attend a college fair.
College Summer Institute (CSI) is a three-day workshop for rising seniors offered the week after school concludes (their junior year). Content includes fine-tuning the college list, application planning, and essay writing.

Seniors

Senior Parent Night - The counseling staff will be on hand to meet with senior parents at a kickoff meeting during the second week of school.
Senior counseling appointments - Counselors meet with senior families to finalize the college list and articulate an application plan of action.
SAT/ACT/Subject Tests - Senior students will continue their standardized testing plan of action into the fall of their senior year.
Seniors are encouraged to meet with college representatives who visit our campus during the fall. These admissions officers will be reading their applications, so making a connection while on campus is an important part of self-advocacy.
Monthly Spotlight on College events - Choose from various seminar topics related to the college search and application process.
Ongoing support for senior students and families throughout the year to address college essays, submission of applications, financial aid, processing acceptance, denial, deferral, and waitlist notifications, and making a college selection.

The college counseling team at Oaks Christian alleviated so many of our fears about the college application process. They met with us regularly and answered all our questions, helping our son ultimately find the school that was right for him.
-Leslie

Counseling Resources

College Search

Big Future
A College Board resource for college and scholarship research.

California State Universities
How to plan for and apply to the California State University.

Catholic Colleges
The National Catholic College Admission Association is a non-profit organization of Catholic colleges and universities committed to promoting the value of Catholic higher education and serving students in the transition to college.

SCOIR
Scoir is for students, guardians, counselors, and college admissions staff focused on finding the right fit through a unified college planning network.

University of California
Learn how to apply to UC's nine undergraduate campuses.

Financial Aid

College Board CSS Profile

The College Board’s CSS/Financial Aid PROFILE® is an online application that collects information used by almost 400 colleges and scholarship programs to award financial aid from sources outside of the federal government.

FAFSA
Federal Student Aid. An office of the U.S. Department of Education.

Fast Web
Find your dream school and a way to pay for it.

FinAid!
The SmartStudent Guide to Financial Aid, FinAid! is the most comprehensive free resource for objective and unbiased information, advice, and tools.

Chegg
Check out Chegg for scholarship information and more.

SAT and ACT

ACT Registration
Online registration is the fastest method. You will know immediately if your preferred test center has space for you to test, and you also can print your admission ticket from the website.

SAT Registration
The SAT is offered seven times each year in the U.S. and six times internationally. It is offered in October, November, December, January, March (U.S. only), May, and June, and registration is required.

Khan Academy
The Khan Academy is a College Board partner that provides SAT prep free of charge.

OC Learning Center
The OC Learning Center now offers SAT and ACT overview seminars, small group classes, and private tutoring.

SCOIR

Counseling for the Arts

Students enrolled in the Institute of Arts and Innovation will receive college counseling specific to their pathway. Students and parents will meet regularly with the art counselor starting in the freshman year to choose annual classes, explore colleges for their area of study, and understand the application and audition processes for performing arts and portfolio and application requirements for visual arts.

Christian Connections

For College Representatives

CEEB CODE: 053746

Oaks Christian School is uniquely located in the beautiful and safe suburban community of Westlake Village, 38 miles northwest of Los Angeles, California, and eight miles inland from the Pacific Ocean. To schedule a campus visit, please log on to www.repvisits.com or contact Brittany Lindsey at blindsey@oakschristian.org.

Oaks Christian School
College Counseling Office
31749 La Tienda Drive
Westlake Village, CA 91362

Mark

Upcoming Events

Class of 2023 Highlights

Admitted to 4-year Colleges 96%

An impressive 96 percent of the Class of 2023 was admitted to 4-year colleges or universities. In addition, nearly 80% will attend their first or second choice school. Several of our graduates have also been admitted to elite armed forces academies.

Highly Selective Admits 47%

Almost half of our 2023 graduates were accepted to prestigious schools considered highly selective.

Different Colleges 136

Members of the Class of 2023 were accepted into 234 different colleges in 28 states and five countries.

Total Scholarships $6 MILLION+

Collectively, the Class of 2023 earned over $6 million in scholarships for their post-secondary education.

Athletes in College 41

Of the 276 Class of 2023 graduates, 41 were accepted to collegiate-level athletic teams, 34 were accepted to STEM fields, and 24 are pursuing art degrees.

Community Service 1,500+

Since their freshmen year, the Class of 2023 completed over 1,500 hours of community service in partnership with local organizations, international and domestic trips, and individual outreach efforts.

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Finding the right college requires a thoughtful approach. We believe God has uniquely gifted each student with their own talents, interests, and abilities.

College Counseling Timeline

Counseling Resources

Upcoming Events

Class of 2023 Highlights

College and University Acceptances