University Counseling

In ninth grade the emphasis is on getting students off to a great start. We encourage freshmen to take full advantage of all the High School has to offer: challenging coursework, arts and athletics, clubs and activities, and leadership and community service opportunities.

In the fall students attend a club and activities fair, a kick-off counseling session and departmental presentations. They also take the MAP Diagnostic Test. Results of the MAP test aid students in identifying academic strengths and weaknesses and in choosing appropriate coursework. A follow-up counseling workshop in January introduces students to concepts such as the high school transcript – one of the key metrics of the college application. Normally there are no one-on-one meetings scheduled until junior year, but students and parents are free to email the counseling office with any questions.

Tenth grade is a continuation of full student investment in the ACS high school experience with the addition of several key steps in the university selection process. Students begin to explore career paths through workshops, assessments, and participation in special events such as Career Day and Job Shadow Day.

On the academic side, the High School Academic Coordinator hosts a presentation on choosing the right 11th and 12th grade academic pathway – the IB Diploma, the Lebanese Diploma, or the American Diploma. In addition, students can elect to take the PSAT Exam (students will also sit for the PSAT in 11th grade). Our counselor is on hand to answer specific questions and to provide additional resources, such as a list of summer opportunities, to students as needed.

The university selection and preparation process gears up significantly in 11th grade. Students attend a Kick-Off Presentation in the fall, sit for the PSAT Exam, and become familiar with MaiaLearning, a comprehensive university and career readiness platform. Using this online tool, students can explore career pathways, research university options, and plan and manage applications with seamless document sending via Common App integration for US universities and Parchment for Canadian universities. 

Throughout the year, activities and resources are designed to help students both research possible university options and prepare for the rigor of the application process. To that end, ACS hosts and/or facilitates the following activities for juniors:

• virtual and in-person University Visits, Fairs and Information Sessions;
• participation in the Alumni Mentorship Program, which matches juniors and seniors with alumni who offer insight about their universities and provide advice in the application process;
• one-on-one planning meetings with students, their parents and the counselor;
• a Grade 12 panel on the application process;
• a six-week SAT preparation course (ACS Beirut is an official SAT Testing Site);
• assistance with application personal essay writing via integration into English and IB TOK classes;
• ad hoc Zoom meetings with groups of parents and students to answer commonly asked questions as they arise; and, last;
• meaningful summer opportunities compiled in a list of recommended internship and learning options.

In the fall, everything starts to come together. Via a series of one-on-one meetings, students finalize application lists and fine-tune personal essays. The Counseling Office holds workshops on completing applications for the US (the Common Application), the UK (UCAS), Canada and the Netherlands; and on researching financial aid and scholarship options. Throughout this critical period, our counselor is on hand for one-on-one and Zoom meetings as needed to ensure that applications are successfully completed and filed. 

The spring begins the transition to final decision-making and preparation for the adjustment to life as a university student. For the Winter Senior Alumni Panel ACS welcomes recent graduates back to campus to share their experiences as new university students. Seniors attend a Senior Class Transition Program and even parents receive advice from parents of recent ACS graduates.

As university decisions are announced, students receive guidance on weighing university offers, selecting the “best fit” for them and, if needed, employing strategies to be accepted off of a university waitlist. This is truly an exciting time and we look forward to celebrating all of our students’ achievements.