Roseville High School counselors recently opened a free college application prep class for seniors. The classes are held in the college center during both lunches.

“It basically provides ongoing opportunities for seniors to receive help for their future planning,” said RHS counselor Philomena Crone.

The career center will be open for seniors to come in and ask questions every Thursday throughout the school year.

“When a kid comes in, we usually let them go on the computer to work with their application and registration,” said Crone. “And when they have a question, they can ask.”

The counselors hope to offer insight to seniors about their future.

“It is all about college career exploration and support," said RHS counselor Michael Brockman.

This prep class aids students with their college application, but also helps students who do not set college as their future plan.

“[College applications] are not the only thing that we do,” said Crone. “We are changing topics. If students are still undecided about their post graduation plan, we try to promote college, military careers, two year junior college, or vocational career.”

The college prep class also provides information on college financial aid, grants, scholarships, and the necessary exams that the students should take.

"There are students that come in with questions on Financial Aid opportunities and we try to answer them," said Brockman.

Many students are coming into the college center to get help.

"Each lunch, we probably have about 10 to 20 students that drop in," said Brockman. "Some of them don't stay. They just ask their one question and then leave. Others come in and work on the computer."

However, the counselors intend on sending out invitations on the prep class to students.

“Our next step will be invitations,” said Crone. “The personal invitations will be email reminders and deadlines on submitting applications or something else.”

During the summer, the counselors held Senior Advising Day where seniors discussed about their future and post high school plan to their counselors. The seniors also filled out a survey inquiring about their future plans. Those students left their email and phone number on the survey, which is how the counselors will be able to contact them.

The counseling group came to the decision to offer college application prep class during the summer and at the beginning of the school year. Crone and Brockman were co-coordinators for the senior activities.

"The counseling team had talked about ways to provide support and opportunities to really work on plans to advance the senior's education after high school," said Brockman. "A lot of that planning was done during the summer."

The counselors hope to continue this prep class for students throughout this year and next year.

"This is a brand new effort this year," said Brockman. "We want to continue to provide as much support as possible with a partnership with the Career Center. There also might be new changes for next year too."

According to Crone, the prep class is a great opportunity and a great follow up for the seniors after senior advising day.

“I love it from a counselor perspective,” said Crone. “We always want to do a follow up. We are reaching out to students instead of waiting for them to come to us. It’s a starting place.”

College application prep class is a way for seniors to get free immediate help from their counselors.

"I hope students see this as another one on one help," said Brockman. “It has been really helpful for the students that have come in."