Counselors emphasize college fit, co‑curricular depth over breadth

Counselors at Stevenson High School urged sophomores and families to focus on college fit — academic offerings, campus environment and financial considerations — and to favor a few meaningful co‑curricular commitments over a long laundry list of activities.

Sarah Hansen and Dan Miller told families that fit is threefold: academic fit (majors and outcomes), social/emotional fit (campus culture and setting) and financial fit. "Is this a good school for Johnny?" Hansen said, encouraging families to evaluate colleges based on the student’s needs rather than rankings.

The counselors described how campus visits and information sessions can reveal social and emotional fit and recommended using those visits to assess size, location, distance from home, and student supports such as disability services or religious/cultural communities. On extracurriculars, Miller said colleges generally seek a few areas of deep, sustained commitment outside the school day rather than a long list; he advised students to continue activities they find meaningful and to reflect on experiences they try but do not keep.

The counselors reiterated that day-to-day academic performance and transcript strength remain the central element of college applications and recommended that students and families plan course selections and senior-year schedules with academic challenge and fit in mind.