The Harbour School College and Careers Corner 2025

As Term 3 and the school year wind down and we approach our much-anticipated summer holiday, it is also that time of year when we in the high school reflect on the university admissions process and celebrate the successful placements of our senior cohort. While we will share those exciting outcomes soon, my thoughts this year have often turned to the families of our primary and middle school students. After all, The Harbour School is much more than just the high school, with over three-quarters of our students attending the Grove. With this in mind, I want to offer insight that is relevant to all families across our school community on how to support children in preparing for university admissions regardless of their age.

How Can I Support My Child’s College Process at an Early Age?

It’s never too early to start thinking about college. I am sure most parents have heard this adage in some form and at some point. But how early is too early to start this process, and what is the best approach for doing so without overwhelming our children and keeping them engaged in the process of learning? While it’s true that students' high school transcripts (course selection and grades) - and in certain systems, exam scores - remain the foundational component of the university admissions process the modern trend with university systems across the board has seen schools placing a much greater emphasis on purpose, direction, and drive as major contributing factors to successful university applications. It is in this context that I feel that families can make their most meaningful impact on their child’s education and long-term outcomes by implementing three relatively easy practices at an early age: communication, observation, and goal-setting. Normalizing these three habits early on can pay major dividends in the back end during the university admissions process.

Talk to Your Child

The most important advice I can give to parents right off the bat is to talk to their children early and often. While this may sound simple, the quality of these conversations matters deeply. Parenting involves balancing firmness and support, but the key is not just to talk but to listen and to listen without judgment. Ask your child about their likes and dislikes, what they want to be when they grow up, and what truly excites them about the world. What activities, ideas, or subjects resonate with them? 

We all know that these interests are likely to evolve, and that we must allow children to experiment and change as individuals, but often the core passions and the reasons behind them will remain consistent over time. Our role as adults is to help children connect their passions and hobbies to potential career paths and future opportunities.

Observe Your Child Through an Objective Lens

While passion and enthusiasm are essential, so are aptitude and ability. Parents should strive to observe their children as objectively as possible, recognizing both strengths and areas for growth without bias. It’s natural to be overly critical or overly hopeful when looking at the children under our care, but finding a balanced view is crucial.

Look for the intersection between what your child loves and where their natural talents lie. This evaluation should go beyond traditional academic skills like math or reading to include soft skills such as creativity, resilience, resourcefulness, and the ability to collaborate with others and resolve conflicts. These qualities are just as important in preparing for university and life beyond.

Teachers’ feedback is invaluable here - pay attention to consistent observations about your child’s character and abilities from the adults in their life and use it as valuable data points to inform your long term planning.

Set Goals with Your Child

Goal-setting is a powerful tool that parents can practice with their children multiple times a year. Using the SMART (Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, Time-bound) goal format helps children learn to set realistic and meaningful objectives. This practice has been shown to benefit children in many ways:

• Normalizes setting and working toward personal goals
• Increases intrinsic motivation
• Builds confidence and self-esteem
• Creates a sense of purpose

It’s important that children learn to visualize what success looks like for themselves and take ownership of their progress. The focus should be on the process of ideation and actualization, not just the achievement itself. 

Parents’ role is to encourage follow-through and support reflection on their child’s process. Engage your child in conversations about their struggles and frustrations as well as their successes. Celebrating progress, even in small ways, helps children recognize growth they might not immediately see.

By talking openly, observing thoughtfully, and setting goals together, parents at every grade level can help their children build the foundation for a successful university application that tells a strong narrative about who they are as individuals and what they want to achieve in life. 

University Acceptances

I am thrilled to announce that the class of 2025 has been admitted to the following universities: Arizona State University, Beacon College, Cal Lutheran University, Calvin University, Concordia University, Drexel, Eugene Lang College of Liberal Arts at The New School, George Mason University, Hong Kong University, Hong Kong University of Science and Technology, Landmark College, Loyola Marymount University, New York University, Rochester Polytechnic Institute, Rutgers University, Texas Christian University, Texas Tech, The Eugene Lang New School, University of Alabama, University of Colorado at Boulder, University of Colorado at Denver, University of Nevada Las Vegas, University of Birmingham, University of British Columbia, University of California at  Santa Barbara, University of Leeds, University of Manchester, University of Minnesota, University of Michigan, University of Oregon, University of San Francisco, University of Sussex, University of Toronto, & the University of Utah.